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Councilors debate restoring neighborhood and civic programs, ask for collaborative plan for Office of Civic Life
Summary
Councilors at a June 4 budget work session discussed competing proposals to restore funding for neighborhood coalitions, the diversity and civic leadership program, and other Civic Life initiatives while calling for a collaborative plan with the administration before structural changes are made.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Several Portland councilors used the June 4 budget work session to press for restoring funding to neighborhood coalitions, the diversity and civic leadership program and other programs housed in the Office of Civic Life, while proposing a budget note to require the administration to collaborate with council on a unified plan for community engagement and related offices.
Councilor Koyama Lane said she will propose a budget note and amendment to build “a somewhat shared action plan” between the council and the executive branch to align civic life, engagement, equity, sustainability and communications. “My hope is to find somewhat of a common ground where priorities for programs are honored through funding and also give time to allow changes to be presented and considered,” she said, and she said the note will include restoring funding for the diversity and civic leadership program, neighborhood associations, district coalition offices and small grants.
Several councilors expressed support for restoring neighborhood and district coalition funding but warned against preserving the existing bureau structure without changes. Councilor Zimmerman said he is skeptical that simply preserving Civic Life as-is will yield a successful new chapter and stressed the need for structural change. “I’m not sure that preserving civic life should be the thing that drives here when they promoted their own folks over these programs,” Zimmerman said, adding that neighborhood coalitions and diversity programs have been “tremendous” for district representation.
Councilor Koyama Lane said the proposed budget note would direct the city administrator, Office of Civic Life and related programs to work collaboratively with council on recommendations for changes to structure and staffing and to identify funding through administration and operations in Civic Life and Engagement for restored programs.
Councilors also flagged lingering distrust from earlier interactions between Civic Life leadership and the council; Zimmerman referenced an earlier episode this spring in which Civic Life leadership reversed course on budget listening sessions. Responses from multiple councilors indicated they want party-line funding restorations while also ensuring structural reforms and clearer reporting.
No formal decisions or votes were taken during the work session. Councilors said final amendment language and the proposed budget note will be circulated for review before the council’s budget committee meetings next week.
