PORTLAND, Ore. — A majority of Portland City Council members have voiced their support in ending the current partnership with Multnomah County, saying the Joint Office of Homeless Services is not working.
Commissioners Rene Gonzalez, Mingus Mapps and Dan Ryan directed Portland's City Attorney Robert Taylor to draw up an ordinance that would end their contract, or intergovernmental agreement (IGA), with the county. It would still need to be approved in order to end the partnership. Taylor reminded leaders they'd need to give the county 90 days notice for termination.
On Wednesday, the three commissioners argued the county is not meeting milestones that were laid out as part of the most recent contract that includes about $30 million a year in taxpayer money to address homelessness.
"I want to continue to work with the county," Mapps said. "However I think the model we have on the table is flawed."
"Of course we're going to keep collaborating, but financial swaps with no substance ... it's just time to move forward," Ryan said.
This move follows a discussion on Wednesday, as council reviewed a promised progress report on whether Multnomah County met certain milestones. Although the county met some benchmarks, the report from city staff showed that not all were fully complete — some just in progress — like the creation of a policy for tents and tarps, or for the distribution of harm reduction tools.
Mapps questioned whether the city and county goals are aligned.
"We come together at a table because we need to talk, except we can't talk about our respective responsibilities," Mapps said. "Like which lane the county is in, and which lane the city is in? It's almost like being at a dysfunctional family dinner."
Interim City Administrator Michael Jordan responded, saying there has been progress, albeit slow.
"We're in this thing together. We do different elements that are absolutely critical path pieces to success, and I think we're learning to deal with each other better," Jordan said.
Carmen Rubio was the only commissioner to argue in support of the homeless services contract.
"For me, I feel like we still do need to see this through. We still need each other. We're always going to be intertwined," she said. "So for me, the idea of the IGA helps gives us a table, gives us the parameters to have that conversation."
Commissioners Rubio, Mapps and Gonzalez are running for Portland mayor.
KGW reached out to the county for comment. Chair Jessica Vega Pederson responded, calling the steps to end the current partnership "disappointing" and "a stunt."
She went on to say, "the majority of City Council says they don't want to work with the County to end homelessness - the number one issue our community cares about. That is the opposite of responsible leadership. When I'm faced with hard problems I dive in and try to make the decision that will help the most people."
Mayor Ted Wheeler was absent from the meeting, but said on social media that "the City approved the agreement just 105 days ago. Terminating it would be shortsighted" and that "the city cannot address this crisis alone and should not abandon progress due to impatience."