The next giant step in Mayor Potter’s plan to change Portland’s form of government takes place this afternoon, with the first full city council session to hear the Charter Review Commission’s recommendations.

Think that sounds dull? The commission is proposing that the city change to, essentially, a “strong mayor” form of government—completely upending the way city government functions. They’re also recommending that very little change in the city’s relationship with the Portland Development Commission. Today’s hearing will be the first chance the public has to officially comment on the recommendations. It’ll also give certain members of council a public forum to push back on the commission.

At the last work session held between the Charter Review Commission and city council, where the commission presented its preliminary recommendations—not drastically different from their final recommendations—tensions flared when Sam Adams, Erik Sten, and Randy Leonard questioned their findings. Since then, tensions have only escalated (“escalated” in Portland terms, which means that everyone’s still polite), with Leonard and Sten still questioning the commission’s process, and the commission members expressing frustration over council’s reluctance to send their recommendations to voters. Expect dissenting council members to be flabbergasted that their opinions weren’t considered, and expect the mayor to jump in to defend the commission.

Local groups, including the Portland Business Alliance and the League of Women Voters, are already lining up on either side of the recommendations.

The PBA firmly supports the commissions recommendations.

"We support the direction the charter review is going in, and we're hoping city council will send it to voters," says PBA head Sandra McDonough. "We're supportive of the creation of a Chief Administrative Officer [who would work under the mayor and head up all of the bureaus]."

"Our form of government was created when Portland was much smaller," she added. "This will lead to faster and better communication and coordination among all the departments of the city. They'll act as more of a team."

So far, though, the PBA hasn't been asked to be a part of any campaign in support of the changes.

The League of Women Voters has a firm position against changing the form of government--"The League of Women Voters of Portland, Oregon finds that the present commission form of city government is accountable, flexible and responsive to citizens. Therefore, we support the commission form of city government as it exists in Portland. We do not support a council-manager or a weak mayor-council form of government."

Still, the League is all for sending the recommendations to voters and letting them decide--but not until 2008.

"Putting it on the ballot in 2007 means that it will be decided by a small handful of people who are really tuned in," says the League's Carol Cushman. "No matter which way it goes, that's not a good way to decide public policy."

Instead, Cushman and her colleagues plan to ask the city council and the Charter Review Commission to spend the next year talking to citizens, and to revise the recommendations based on public input.

Mayoral staffer--and liaison to the charter review commission--Judy Tuttle, though, says it makes more sense to put the changes on the ballot this May. Since candidates will be running for office next year, "It's only fair that they know what form of government they're running for."

Cushman, though, disagrees: "What better way to get the information out to the public than to have candidates talking about it--pro or con."

The City Club of Portland doesn't yet have a position on the changes, but a majority of their ballot measure review committee in 2002 supported Bob Ball's failed "strong mayor" idea.

The hearing happens at 2pm this afternoon at city hall's council chamber. You can also peep it live here.