NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF BALLOT TITLE

Notice is hereby given that a ballot title for a measure referred by the Portland City Council to qualified voters at the November 3, 2020 General Election has been filed with the Elections Office of the City of Portland on July 30, 2020.

An elector may file a petition for review of this ballot title in the Multnomah County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 P.M., August 10, 2020.

The ballot title is as follows: 

BALLOT TITLE

Caption: 

Amends Charter: Authorizes new, independent community police oversight board.

Question: 

Shall Charter be amended to authorize new, independent community policy oversight board to investigate complaints against Portland Police, impose discipline? 

Summary: 

The measure adds a new Charter section authorizing an independent body to: investigate complaints against police employees; investigate all deaths in custody, uses of deadly force, complaints of force that result in injury, discrimination against protected classes, violations of constitutional rights; impose discipline deemed appropriate by the Board; recommend policy focused on community concerns to the Police Bureau and City Council. Board members appointed by approval of City Council. Board membership shall include representation from diverse communities, including those who have experienced systemic racism and historic overpolicing. Current, former employees of law enforcement agencies and their immediate family members may not serve on the Board. The Board’s funding shall be no less than 5% of the Police Bureau’s annual operational budget. The Board shall appoint a Director who serves at the pleasure of the Board and who will, in turn, appoint staff and investigators.

Board powers include:

• Investigate complaints
• Subpoena documents
• Access police records
• Compel witness statements, including from police officers
• Impose discipline, including termination

Other provisions to be established by City Code.

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF BALLOT TITLE

Notice is hereby given that a ballot title for a measure referred by the Portland City Council to qualified voters at the November 3, 2020 Municipal General Election has been filed with the Elections Office of the City of Portland on July 23, 2020.

An elector may file a petition for review of this ballot title in the Multnomah County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 P.M., August 3, 2020.

The ballot title is as follows:

BALLOT TITLE

CAPTION:

Amends Charter: Authorizes incidental public use, lands outside Bull Run.

QUESTION:

Shall Charter be amended to authorize Council to allow incidental public use of City lands outside the Bull Run Watershed?

SUMMARY:

The measure amends the Charter by clarifying Council authority to permit or prohibit incidental uses by the general public of City lands controlled by the Water Bureau, provided the lands are outside of the Bull Run Watershed Closure Area. Incidental public uses may include green spaces, community gardens or other functions that do not conflict with the primary drinking water purpose of these lands, when approved by Council. The public’s incidental use may result in associated costs to the Water Fund, including funding for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act which imposes accessibility requirements for equitable access when lands are used by the general public.

The measure will not impact City lands in the Bull Run Watershed Closure Area.

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF BALLOT TITLE

Notice is hereby given that a ballot title for a measure referred by the Portland City Council to qualified voters at the November 3, 2020 General Election has been filed with the Elections Office of the City of Portland on July 23, 2020.

An elector may file a petition for review of this ballot title in the Multnomah County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 P.M., August 3, 2020.

The ballot title is as follows:

BALLOT TITLE

Caption: 

Restore recreation programs, parks, nature, water through five-year levy

Question: 

Shall Portland protect, restore recreation programs, parks, nature, clean water; 5-year operating levy, $0.80 per $1,000 assessed value, beginning 2021? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

Summary: 

Levy will prevent ongoing reductions to park services and recreation programs, preserve and restore park and natural area health, and center equity and affordable access for all.

Levy funds will:

• Enhance and preserve parks, rivers, wetlands, trees, and other important natural features in urban areas for the benefit of all Portlanders and wildlife;
• Provide park and recreation services to diverse populations including communities of color, seniors, teens, households experiencing poverty, immigrants and refugees, and people living with disabilities;
• Increase opportunities for communities of color and children experiencing poverty to connect with nature;
• Prevent cuts to recreation programs, closures of community centers and pools; and
• Enhance park maintenance to keep parks clean and safe, including litter and hazardous waste removal, restroom cleaning, and playground safety.

If levy fails, service improvements and restoration described above will not occur; taxes will not increase.

A five-member oversight committee will review levy expenditures, provide annual reports. Independent audit required.

Levy is $0.80 per $1,000 assessed home value. The proposed rate will raise approximately $44,735,000, in 2021–2022, $46,240,000 in 2022–2023, $47,705,000 in 2023–2024, $49,262,000 in 2024–2025, and $51,135,000 in 2025–2026, for a total of $239,078,000.

A median residential homeowner pays $151 per year, or about $13 per month.

The Portland City Elections Office accepted a withdrawal of candidacy form for a Commissioner, Position Number 2 candidate on March 13, 2020. Robin Rae Castro will no longer appear on the ballot for this position.

All approved candidates and filing paperwork for those appearing on the May 19, 2020 Primary and Special Election ballot can be found on the City Elections website. 

The Portland City Elections Office has accepted a candidate filing for office of Mayor that will appear on the May 19, 2020 Primary Election ballot. 

On March 10, 2020, Randy Rapaport completed the process to appear on the ballot for the office of Mayor by declaration and fee.

Completed candidate filings and other information for the May 19, 2020 Primary Election are available from the main City elections page.