In a remarkable turn of events, the Portland City Council voted 12-0 last week to reverse an earlier decision that had rejected grant recommendations for the Portland Children’s Levy. This decision may have weighed heavily on the seven councilors who initially voted against it, yet their ultimate choice to prioritize the welfare of underserved children over personal pride is commendable. As a result, numerous nonprofits will receive vital funding to provide food, mentoring, and support services to children in need, beginning on July 1, aligning with the city’s fiscal timeline.
Owning up to missteps is inherently difficult, particularly in such a public setting. Councilor Mitch Green remarked that mistakes provide opportunities for redemption, a sentiment that those who realigned their votes embodied. Councilors Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, Loretta Smith, Sameer Kanal, Angelita Morillo, and Tiffany Koyama Lane also deserve recognition for moving beyond unmerited criticisms of the grant selection process. This act of accountability reflects an encouraging sign of good governance, showcasing the importance of recognizing errors and acting upon them.
However, beyond personal accountability, the vote encapsulates a deeper lesson: the need to avoid jumping to conclusions. The controversy initially arose after public criticism from nonprofit representatives regarding funding denials. During the questioning of Children’s Levy staff members, councilors echoed these criticisms, failing to fully consider the thorough presentations and explanations provided. Staff members had articulated the robust, equity-focused review process and the extensive community input that informed their decisions across three meetings, yet the initial skepticism from councilors overshadowed these insights.
Had councilors heeded these details, they might have avoided facing substantial backlash from community members following their original vote. Advocates from smaller nonprofits eloquently expressed how the council’s earlier decision would result in limiting their outreach to numerous children, with some indicating that they would have to forgo scholarships for disadvantaged youth. Yonas Kassie, director of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Cultural and Resource Center, emphasized the negative impact of the council’s actions on young people who finally felt seen and supported.
The path to the unanimous decision was not without challenges. Councilor Steve Novick took initiative to reassess the contentious matter before the impending funding deadline, countering an amendment proposed by Councilor Koyama Lane and Morillo that could have delayed grant distributions further. Despite consistent support for the grants from Councilor Dan Ryan and others, the majority remained unmoved until Novick’s push prompted necessary reconsideration.
This episode represents a pivotal moment in the evolving governance structure of Portland. The new city charter aimed to minimize direct interference from council members in administrative processes, but the current dynamic risks reverting to a form of micromanagement by having multiple councilors involved in oversight. Balancing the directive responsibilities of council members with the operational autonomy of bureaus is essential to this new governance framework—councilors should steer clear of intervening unless absolutely necessary.
Past instances, such as the council’s response to the planning department’s approval of a routine permit for Zenith Energy, illustrate this challenge. The city council must strive to set a strategic vision for Portland while holding the mayor and city administrators accountable for implementation. In pressing matters that call for urgent action from councilors, a careful assessment of the potential disruption versus the necessity should be a prerequisite.
Looking ahead, it is inevitable that the council will face additional challenges and possible missteps as it navigates this new government structure. With many obstacles on the horizon, the council’s ability to recognize which issues warrant their attention is critical to both their effectiveness and the overall well-being of the city they serve.
image source from：oregonlive
