PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Portland City Councilor Mitch Green is pushing back on what he says is misleading framing around a draft term sheet tied to proposed renovations at the Moda Center.
In a BlueSky thread posted in response to coverage of the negotiations, Green said some media reports suggest City Council “sent” terms to the team. “Not the case,” Green wrote, adding that councilors were briefed on “high level themes” for the first time during an executive session that ran from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., where members asked questions based on a PowerPoint from the city administration.
Green said council reconvened for a public meeting at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 6 p.m. He wrote that at 4:23 p.m. — while councilors were still in chambers — members received a draft term sheet in their inboxes with an email indicating it had also been shared with the Portland Trail Blazers “for our situational awareness.”
Minutes later, Green said, a city press release went out at 4:45 p.m. describing the draft as reflecting “the City’s priorities, community feedback, and direction from Council.”
Green argued that characterization misrepresents the process, writing that executive sessions are not where Council develops policy direction. “You develop policy at the dais in a public meeting,” he wrote, questioning how councilors could know whether the draft reflected any reactions when, he said, the document arrived while they were at the dais and shortly before the release was issued.
SEE ALSO: Commissioners seek ‘reset’ in Multnomah County Moda Center renovation talks
On Thursday, the City of Portland released a statement that said executive leadership met with Portland City Council in executive session to review the first draft term sheet for a transformative Moda Center renovation and the long-term tenancy of the Portland Trail Blazers. The City said the draft reflects City priorities, community feedback and Council direction, and is intended to keep the team in Portland while ensuring the long-term viability of the city-owned arena and delivering community benefits.
According to the City, key terms in the draft include:
Non-relocation commitment: A binding 20-year agreement requiring the Trail Blazers to play all home games at Moda Center.Labor harmony agreements: Requirements for labor peace agreements to support a stable workforce.Financial protections: Caps on public funding, limits on eligible expenses and safeguards against cost overruns for the City, State and County.Payment: A $3 million annual property tax offset payment from Rip City Management, escalating over time, with proceeds shared among the City, County and Portland Public Schools.Community benefits commitments: Community event access, local hiring, sustainability standards and partnerships with Albina-based organizations.
The City said it delivered the draft term sheet to the Trail Blazers following Council review and will continue negotiations to refine and finalize the agreement ahead of an expected Council vote in August.
Coalition leaders say the stakes extend beyond basketball, arguing the arena’s outdated infrastructure has contributed to some major concerts and events skipping Portland.
FOX 12 has reached out to the Trail Blazers for comment, but has not heard back yet.
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