Portland City Council PM Session 04/29/26

The Portland City Council held a meeting on April 29, 2026, which included extensive public testimony and council deliberations on several key issues. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed ordinance to ban the sale of force-fed poultry products, specifically foie gras, citing animal welfare concerns. The council heard from numerous supporters and opponents, including local business owners, animal rights advocates, and residents. The ordinance aims to prohibit commercial sale or provision of foie gras within Portland, with enforcement being complaint-based and no new city funding required. Additionally, the council discussed amendments related to nuisance property regulations, focusing on issues such as human trafficking and property owner responsibilities, with several amendments passed and others failing after debate. The council also ratified a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 189 for employees in the Auditor's Office, involving wage increases and protections, with a total cost impact detailed. The meeting included votes on these items and set the stage for further discussions on nuisance property codes and enforcement. No new funding allocations or capital projects were directly approved during this session, but policy decisions regarding nuisance properties and animal welfare were prominent.