Last week, on August 21st, the Independent District Commission (IDC) completed its work establishing the four City Council geographic districts. Members unanimously adopted a revised version of the Alder Map that shifted District 3’s boundary to include all of Montavilla. Commissioners authorized the map adjustment without objection at an August 9th work session based on community input and endorsement from APANO.
In November 2022, voters approved amendments to the City Charter (Measure 26-288) to create four voting districts for a new 12-person City Council. Residents in the new districts will elect three city councilors through a ranked-choice voting system approved by the City Charter amendments. The mayor appointed 13 community members to serve on the commission and create the new districts with community support. Earlier this summer, the IDC released three draft map options for community input. Although the maps differed slightly, each proposed version split Montavilla. Although Montavilla mainly remained intact, the maps assigned a small 150-acre section of the neighborhood to the East Portland district. The proposed dividing lines ran along SE 82nd Avenue south of SE Mill Street with a slight bump north to SE Market Street one block west of Interstate 205. Community members had until July 22nd to share their preference for the map version and other comments.
At the August 9th work session, IDC members reviewed several adjustments to the final district boundary lines and responded to community feedback. During a conversation late in the meeting, commissioners reviewed Montavilla’s placement, noting a strong preference by neighborhood residents to reside in a single district. The initial boundary carved out the southeast corner of Montavilla to give priority to the Jade District boundary. Before the work session, IDC Commissioner Kari Chisholm contacted members of APANO to assess the group’s concerns regarding moving the district lines to match neighborhood boundaries. APANO administers the Jade District program and a member of their staff services as the District Manager. Commissioner Chisholm said that an APANO representative told him they had no objections. The Jade District prefers spanning two districts, and this boundary adjustment only changes where that line bisects the district.
The IDC commissioner approved the change without any objections, satisfying Montavilla residents who preferred the neighborhood to reside wholly in one district. However, a larger group of neighborhood residents desired placement in the East Portland District. Some at the meeting agreed there were mutually beneficial advantages to moving Montavilla to the East Portland district, but that change was more significant. It would have required substantial population rebalancing in other areas of the map.
The finalized district map will dictate who can run for which City Council district and who can vote for them. New Portland City Council candidates must reside within their district for a year or more prior to the November 5th, 2024, election. Three City Council District 3 candidates have filed a Notice of Intent, and more are expected. It will take time for residents to associate with the new District map, but now Montavilla residents will have an easier time determining the boundary line.
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