(PORTLAND)—It was back to business for Portland’s City Council immediately after the election of their new president, Councilor Jamie Dunphy.
(Photo: YouTube Portland City Council Jan 14, 2026)
The public was ready to address the council on many critical issues.
“Public comments sharply criticized the mayor’s perceived inaction on issues such as ICE enforcement and the homelessness crisis, with calls for greater mayoral accountability and transparency” OpGov.ai said.
Resident Sonny Hart addressed the council, deeply concerned about recent ICE activity both in Portland and elsewhere.
“We were repeatedly told that city council lacks administrative power to actively fight ICE and that that power is held by the mayor. While I commend the efforts of the city council, I am failing to see any action on the mayor’s part,” Hart said.
Hart reminded the council that the last Town Hall was held on March 12, 2025, in his plea for the mayor to communicate with Portland and use his power to help.
“We need this Town Hall," Hart said. "We need to know that the mayor is doing to protect us, that he hears our concerns, and that he’s accountable, so that we can see action before it’s too late.
Hart added a strong suggestion.
"To the city council, please demand the mayor have a Town Hall," Hart said. "You are the ones getting the brunt of people’s anger from his inaction."
(Photo: YouTube Sonny Hart Addresses the Council)
Hart continued, “Things are only going to get worse with ICE over the coming year. If we are to fight fascism, we need PPB to protect and serve Portlanders, not ICE. And we need the mayor to use every tool in his toolbox. Please, for the love of God, before somebody else gets shot.”
Eugene Jackson congratulated the new council leadership and welcomed the city administrator before he sharply criticized the mayor’s shelter policy.
“As the former city administrator said, that’s where all the money goes that’s sucking up all the funds," Jackson said. "And it reminds me of living on a farm in the evening."
Jackson added that "all the animals come back into the barn, and then in the morning they go out to graze."
“And that’s about what the homeless are doing now, just grazing," Jackson said. "And you talk about idle hands are the devil’s workshop, that is a prime example"
Bottom-line Jackson said, "Nothing is being done to really help people and it’s just heartbreaking.”
(Photo: YouTube Eugene Jackson Speaks to Portland's City Council)
“While routine financial settlements and reports were passed, discussions around the new budget calendar revealed deep divisions concerning public engagement strategies and council oversight of bureau budgets,” OpGov.ai said.
“The adoption of a new governance handbook, intended to clarify procedural guidelines, was framed as a necessary step but also underscored the significant work still needed to streamline council operations and improve transparency,” OpGov.ai said.
(Photo: YouTube Terry Harris Addresses the Council)
Terry Harris supported the governance handbook for its clarity and consistency, particularly for future councilors, but stressed the need for its ongoing maintenance and clear distinction between authoritative and guidance elements.
“I’ve followed the governance committee now for a year, and I can say that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done in governance," Harris sadi. "So, the handbook is not going to be the end."
Harris went on to highlights areas that need further attention.
“In particular, committee functioning, formal oversight capabilities, the informal oversight and monitoring of bureaus and the administrative branch, public involvement enhancements and efficiencies, agenda setting and management, both council and committee budget processes that you just talked about," Harris said. "The committee of the whole and a recent development is perhaps referring items to more than one committee."
Harris concluded strong.
"All of those need rules, and those rules need discussion, and that discussion needs to happen,” Harris said.
The resolution to establish the Portland City Council Governance Handbook was adopted.
If you would like to comment on or add to this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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