(PORTLAND, OR.) — The Portland City Council meeting on Wednesday, August 12 was marked by significant tension and debate, primarily revolving around the proposed non-binding term sheet for the Moda Center renovation and the Trail Blazers' lease agreement.
Photo Credit: portland.gov
The council heard hours of public testimony over multiple days.
In addition, the Portland City Council hosted an online survey and a series of park pop-up events in June 2026.
Over 18,000 people took the survey both independently and at the pop-up events. The non-statistically valid results are available online at: https://www.portland.gov/venues/moda-center/moda-facts and reveal that public investment in Moda Center is a divisive issue with a majority of respondents feeling either strongly supportive of the project or strongly opposed.
The non-binding term sheet for the Moda Center renovation and Trail Blazers lease agreement (Resolution 2026-280) was adopted 8-4, after several amendments and significant debate.
Council President Jamie Dunphy opened the discussion on the agenda item by pointing out that this term sheet process is unique.
Video Credit: YouTube / eGov PDX
One amendment package (Dunphy/Pirtle-Guiney/Ryan/Kanal 1 and 2), co-sponsored by the District 2 delegation, was approved unanimously (12-0).
This package included critical changes to the resolution and term sheet, such as strengthening language on the joint authority's approval power for public funding, clarifying city development rights, emphasizing community benefits, and introducing a $2 million annual rent with a CPI-W or 3% escalator for Rip City Management.
An amendment by Councilor Novick (Novick 2) to increase the annual base rent to $3.17 million, with the same escalator, passed 7-5. This was an effort to achieve a more favorable financial return for the city.
A technical amendment to include Multnomah County as a party to the negotiation and conform the language was also approved unanimously (12-0).
Photo Credit: YouTube
Two significant amendments failed to pass with a 6-6 vote.
Councilor Green's proposal to tie the rent escalation rate to the Oregon Rent Stabilization Act (ORS 90-324) for residential tenants, and Councilor Morillo's proposal to require a CFO/City Administrator report 15 days prior to a final vote on the deal, detail the financial aspects and opportunity costs.
The failure of these amendments raised concerns about transparency, due diligence, and equitable standards.
Councilor Morillo expressed concern over the lack of transparency and trust from the public.
“We need the public to see what this is so that they can have actual input and agree with us and bring them along in that process. If we don’t, then we will lose the public trust,” Morillo said. “We are going to make a generational decision for this city without the proper information.”
Proponents emphasized economic benefits, job creation, and the importance of retaining the NBA team for Portland.
The vote pledges $120 million toward the renovation project. Councilors reiterated that this term sheet is a starting point for future negotiations.
Council President Dunphy closed deliberation by thanking his colleagues and looking to the next three months of work.
“This is the city’s opening proposal. A very dense three months are ahead for our team. And if our partners choose to engage, things will move quickly. I look forward to continuing regular updates with council members, engaging in executive sessions, and updating the public with the best information available,” Dunphy said. “I believe that there were folks who were counting on us to fail today, but this council and this new form of government can do hard things.”
OpGov.News will continue to cover developments relating to the Moda Center and upcoming negotiations.
If you would like to comment on this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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