By: Mireaya Medina, Communications Manager
The 2016 Office of Neighborhood Involvement audit highlighted the need to update the Bureau’s practices and City Code Chapter 3.96 to ensure Portlanders have equal access to City’s decision-making process. The code links the City, Neighborhood Associations, and District Coalitions, but since it was written many changes have occurred. Civic Life programs and relationships with the public have evolved. A code change committee worked on developing new code from November to July. The new code will be voted on by City Council in October.
The current City Code Chapter 3.96 “creates a framework by which the people of the City of Portland may effectively participate in civic affairs and work to improve the livability and character of their Neighborhoods and the City.” This code describes the functions of the Office of Community & Civic Life. For more information including a detailed FAQ please visit the official Office of Community & Civic Life Code Change webpage. For inquiries related to the code change please contact the Code Change Project Manager, Sabrina Wilson.
For additional information you can also refer to these media links:
- What Portland is Talking About: No, Portland’s Neighborhood Associations Aren’t Going Away — And They Might Not Even Change
- In Search of Equal Representation, Portland Looks Beyond Neighborhood Associations
- Portland Moves Focus Away from Neighborhood Associations
Examples of organizations that have taken a position on City Code 3.96 Change:
Supporting the code change: Coalition of Communities of Color and Unite Oregon
Opposing the change: Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood Association and South Tabor Neighborhood Association