Portland City Council AM Session 07/08/26

The Portland City Council held an AM session on July 8, 2026, which included a range of discussions and presentations. Key procurement-related topics included the approval of a $3.63 million contract with BTS to ViaWest for new flex central data center colocation services, providing secure and resilient data center space for city IT infrastructure. The council also reviewed a $100 million, five-year contract with Travel Portland for convention business and tourism promotion. Additionally, the council considered amendments to zoning and land use codes through the Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package 11 (Recap 11), aimed at clarifying regulations and removing barriers to development, including provisions affecting affordable housing and campus institutional zones. The council approved amendments to allow household living by right in the campus institutional one zone, facilitating housing development on campus properties. The meeting also addressed the establishment of the 2026 sale price cap of $455,000 for the Home Buyer Opportunity Limited Tax Exemption program, supporting affordable homeownership. Public testimony highlighted concerns and support related to housing affordability, zoning changes, and development incentives. The council tentatively denied appeals against the Central City Master Plan for the Lloyd Center redevelopment, upholding the design commission's decision with revised conditions, allowing for future redevelopment with increased density and open space requirements. The meeting emphasized transparency in procurement reporting and ongoing efforts to streamline permitting and zoning codes to support housing and economic development in Portland.