I’m at city hall, awaiting the debate over resolution 1291:

Declare the City’s intent to rename a major arterial street in honor of César E. Chávez and establish a process to complete the street selection by July 1, 2008

There’s a press gaggle here, including three (!) Oregonian reporters columnists and reporters—who might be here for various agenda items, but still, that’s a lot of reporter-power—and an O photographer. (S. Renee Mitchell apparently decided she needed to hear the debate for herself, lest she write an erroneous column again.) There are folks from Just Out, El Hispanic News, and the St. Johns Sentinel, too.

Dan Saltzman is conspicuously absent from the dais… not sure what’s up with that. But then again, I don’t see anyone I recognize from the Chávez committee. UPDATE @ 3:13 pm: The Chávez committee is here!

I think it’ll be awhile before we hit item 1291, but I’ll post occasional updates after the jump.

3:20: Here we go!

Adams is introducing the resolution, saying he cannot support renaming Interstate Avenue under the current circumstances. He's not faulting the committee, however. And his support "was based on the assumption of neighborhood support, which turned out to be incorrect."

The conversation has "too often turned into a screaming match," and "occasionally yielded racist epithets, which is unacceptable."

This rename, following Rosa Parks Way, is too much for one neighborhood, Adams says. The resolution "would look citywide for the street most appropriate to honor César Chávez."

3:23: Leonard's weighing in.

He's accepting "my own responsibility for the unfortunate place in which we find ourselves." He says he should have asked more questions. He says he was aware of the city code governing street renames, but "I admit to not having ever read it until this process started breaking down."

He wants to assure "all Portlanders that their voices matter."

He apologizes for not "doing what all Portlanders expect of me," and for putting the committee in the position they're in. "As a result, each of them has been subjected to at worst racist remarks... and at best a hostile atmosphere" from people offended by the process.

He's quoting Scott's Hall Monitor column!

At best, the city commissioners were fooled into thinking neighborhood support for the change was more widespread than it really was. At worst, city council hung the Chávez committee out to dry, to face the increasingly angry neighbors on their own.

That the vote—either the Leonard/Adams package or the mayor's—will end in a divided council shouldn't be a surprise. It's the logical resolution to a process that's been politically bungled from day one.

And he's quoting Amanda Fritz's criticism of not following the regular city code process, but adds that he feels it would be unfair to make the committee start all the way over.

Now Leonard's reading from the city code rename process steps. "None of those criteria have been met," he concluded.

But making the committee start over would be "unduly punitive." Plus, a unanimous city council and most citizens agree that Chávez should be honored.

"The organizer and labor leader that Chávez was resounded with me," Leonard says, outlining the man's great contributions.

"For all those reasons, the current debate... has caused me more personal unrest than any other single issue I've been involved with."

While the resolution doesn't follow the city code, it "does create a framework" for choosing a street to name for Chávez. He reiterates: The council has unanimously decided to rename a street, which is a point the new committee would not debate.

He and Adams are open to modifications to the process, too.

Fifteen people are signed up to comment.

First up are Marta Guembes, Jose Romero, and Serena Cruz Walsh.

3:33: Marta Guembes, co-chair of the Chávez committee is up.

"I wish to express my appreciation to the council to publically commemmorate César Chávez," and the time they've put into this effort.

"Our committee entered into the project in good faith," she says. "We have followed all the instructions that have come from city hall."

"Now, today, we have before you a proposal from two commissioners that will extend this process, moving to new neighborhoods, and to create a new city committee," she says. "To take this out of the hands of those who originally initiated it."

She's here to oppose this proposal and urge them to vote no.

She's arguing that "we have followed the process to the full extent, and we stand firm in our proposal that Interstate Avenue be renamed to César Chávez Boulevard," for their committee, the Latino community, and all those who are underrepresented.

3:36: Jose Romero's up.

He's invoking Chávez's legacy as a leader, and urging the council to show leadership. "Will you vote to delay and displace this effort, or will you chose to vote for inclusion and equality in this city?"

"Our committee sees this resolution as a futile attempt to restart this process. Any new process would be met with the same resistance... of naysayers who say 'not in my backyard.'"

"Our position is clear and our commitment is strong. Thank you for your time. Sí, se puede."

3:39: Former Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz Walsh is up, speaking for herself. She says she's here today on behalf of her new daughter (who is ADORABLE, sleeping in a stroller in the back of city council chambers), who she wants to grow up in a city that honors someone like Chávez.

Cruz Walsh is choking up, recalling how her recently deceased father had a longtime wish to see Portland honor Chávez.

"As a former elected official I understand that it's not much fun" to make unpopular decisions.

She's gone overtime, which the mayor politely pointed out. "I know! I need to shut up. I'm used to having more time," she joked. Sten asked her a question: "Do you have any more thoughts?" which lets her finish...

Sten has questions for the committee.

"I want to thank you for your hard work... and I recognize how difficult this is been," he says.

"I think what's needed now is a council process," and he wants to hear from the committee why that's not acceptable to them.

if they vote on November 15, "it would be the first time we didn't slow something down when it was a train wreck."

"I want to understand publicly why you would object," he says. Sten's not sure he wants to take it out to July, or pushing it out to a committee. He sounds open to more process that happens at the council level.

Romero doesn't think it will be helpful. Guembes says "we don't believe that by voting on the 15th, it will change, unless we have the votes of Leonard and Adams, which we would not have until January."

"We understand it hasn't been the process the way it's written," she says, but they're "focusing on the resolution on the 15th." She believes they'll have 2500 signatures by the 15th. She also sounds exhausted of the awful comments they've heard, and doesn't want to continue to undergo that.

Sten points out that since the council gave their support of it too early, "it was a meaningless process" and they need to adjust. "Let's get the council to own this and quit pushing it back."

"So what I'm proposing is to try and pull that burden off of you. In some ways too much has been put on you... it's unreasonable. You've been subjected to what are clearly unreasonable racist situations, and we also have opposition that is not of that nature. We need to sort that out."

He wants to get something "that the whole council can stand in front of."

"I'm looking for a third way," Sten says.

3:53: Leonard says that, as he wrote in his remarks, he's not suggesting a certain way has to be followed "to get to a place where we're voting on a street."

"A process like Commissioner Sten is proposing makes sense. It just needs to be... I think frankly that none of us are bought into a street."

His personal favorite would be "Southwest Broadway from Union Station to Portland State," which symbolizes so much of Chávez and is well traveled and diverse.

"I understand why you're reacting the way you are, but I honestly think, I agree with Commissioner Sten, we should have put you in that place."

He appreciates Sten's thoughtfulness of finding a third way.

3:55: Potter's up... responding to a question that Sten had asked, but I didn't catch.

Potter says no one's disagreeing

"We're being told that the process is flawed, and we need to have another process." That's what he struggled with this weekend. Why Interstate?

He says his staff has researched, and found that street renames often generate controversy like this. "Particularly when it's after César Chávez," he says, pointing toward... Lubbock, Texas.

He points out that the council outlines a process, and the committee did what they asked them to do. He sees this call for a new process because the first one didn't follow city code, but "this one doesn't either."

Potter pointed out the bigoted comments he's heard, and how tough this has been.

"This man paid his dues, I think it's time we pay homage to him."

As he thought about it this weekend, he thought about one simple thing—"what is the right thing to do?"

The right thing to do is to "honor this committee's work, honor Mr. Chávez, and rename Interstate," Potter says. He says he "doesn't have a political axe to grind, and isn't running for office." (huh?)

"It's time that we make a decision on it. I for one know that my decision will be to rename Interstate Avenue, it's as simple as that... I must follow my conscience."

"I guess that I don't see the perceived harm in giving this some more time," Sten says, adding that since he's the swing vote—and even those he's inclined to support the rename—he's going to asking a lot of questions.

"The majority of this council has said they erred in setting up this process... It would seem to me it does more harm to our credibility" to not slow down this process, Sten says.

Potter thinks "there's several harms to it." The committee has done everything they could reasonably do... it harms the community... many other groups have "been told to wait, we'll come up with a better plan."

He's concerned what will happen "if we look at other streets." This will "become a stepchild that no one will want. If it wasn't good enough for Interstate," it won't be good enough for Hawthorne, 39th, etc.

4:06: Eric Gale, the chair of the Overlook Neighborhood Association. He was elected the same night the association voted to not rename Interstate, but to honor César Chávez in some way. "Something that will have this much impact," should have more process. A better process that's "less devisive." If Interstate is renamed, he doesn't want it to be "under this dark cloud."

A woman who lives in Overlook—whose name I didn't catch—says that she and her neighbors "have made their desires clear."

She, too, has been disappointed in the process, which has felt "more like a lecture series," than a dialogue. "We want to find a way to honor César Chávez," but save Interstate Avenue.

4:09: A man who lives in the SE Portland Brooklyn neighborhood, wants the city council to rename SW 4th Avenue, which would make city hall's address 1221 SW César Chávez Boulevard.

4:10: Molly Paris, resident of North Portland, is speaking about the importance of "realizing you've made a mistake" and changing it.

4:14: Lili Mandel's in the house! She wants the council to approve this resolution. "This has nothing to do with racism, but of finding the right spot... let's follow the Portland process... unite, and with this resolution" correct the process and resolve the issue. She thanked Leonard and Adams, "and I hope, Erik, you will join them."

4:17: Another resident—who's wearing a magnifying visor that makes her look a bit like a jeweler—is frustrated with the process, and with being called racist. She's also frustrated that the committee hasn't been open to compromise.

4:18: Julianne (sp?) Rogers of North Portland says "if the citizens of our city feel cheated because of the flawed process used so far, we have accomplished little to honor the greatness of César Chávez' legacy, and we all lose."

Establishing a method for "positive public involvement," is good for all citizens, and is an inclusive move.

Kathleen Chellis of NorthStar Coffeehouse on Interstate is for the resolution. "This has been a negative experience for all. Our children need to see us come together and work on a resolution that has respect for all."

"As a business owner I have an emotional, fiscal and community" involvement with Interstate, and didn't get 6 to 8 months of time to process the change. Her business partner, Pam, concurs.

4:23: Chris Duffy, chair of the Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association. The ALNA "voted overwhelmingly" against the rename, but are for honoring César Chávez. The neighborhood has undergone a lot—rezoning, light rail, the renaming of Portland Boulevard—and this change is too much. The neighbors are also frustrated with the process. They'd like one that "concludes with a celebration of unity. Instead we have a community that is divided... this is not the way we do things in North Portland, or the way we do things in Portland itself."

"People need a process, one that clearly defines the steps that have to be followed for naming a street and for gaining support for that proposal in the immediate areas surrounding the street." A new process "would allow all voices to be heard and respected."

"The people in North Portland have clearly said no to the choice of Interstate Avenue and their voices need to be respected." The process "has been flawed... and goes against the spirit of democracy. Let's slow it down and have the conversations we should have had at the beginning of this issue."

Sten has a question for her. Would she reflect on the difference between the Rosa Parks Way rename and this one?

There have been two big differences, Duffy says. For starters, Portland Boulevard is only 2.2 miles long, and only had five businesses on it. "We heard very little opposition to a name change in that instance."

And, looking back, "there was not so much awareness" that the Rosa Parks rename was in play. "If there had been, People might have protested more. They might not have. The media coverage has fueled the fire on it."

She also hears "a backlash" over the Rosa Parks rename, from people who "claim they didn't no until they saw the signs on the street. And now they see another name change proposal in the same area. It's one too many. If there had been more awareness, the vote may have been different last year, honestly. Also, people did not know there was a code, last year, when we went through that."

Bill Mildenberger Jr. of the Night Hawk Cafe & Lounge on Interstate and Rosa Parks Way is outlining the lack of business support for changing the name of Interstate, but the strong support for honoring Chávez. WIth all of the changes the Interstate area has experiences—like light rail—the timing is inappropriate, at best, he says.

"We think there's a creative way forward," and have called on the committee and the mayor's office to "create a process that galvanizes people."

"To lose Interstate Avenue has a fiscal impact on small businesses," and "we lose, in a sense, our brand name, which is emerging as we speak."

"Erik, we're looking for your support on this, please."

4:30: Promise King—the new executive director of the Oregon League of Minority Voters—says he's not going to question Leonard and Adams' intention. But "today is a sad day of me," as he didn't think he'd ever sit across from Randy Leonard's views.

"I was part of the Rosa Parks [Way]. I know what happened. Like one of the panelists said, we went through eight months of process. This is not about process." (King wrote the resolution that renamed Portland Blvd for Rosa Parks, while he worked in Saltzman's office.)

The community came to the council and said "we want Interstate."

"How dare you," King says, tell the community they can have something else.

"Please, please honor the request of our Latino brothers... who have come before you and said 'we want Interstate.'" Voting no on this resolution is "the right thing to do," he says.

4:34: Melanie Davis, citizen, business owner, is up.

"This community has empowered," and she's disappointed in this resolution because "it's retroactive on what the committee wants to do."

As for "the harm in waiting," she says "if we look at the demographics, the current trends... the education system's Latino population grew 188%, while the non-hispanic population decreased."

"This community has gone out and done outreach with not only the members of Overlook and Arbor Lodge," but Native American, LGBT, Pacific Islander and African American communities, to name a few. Those groups "feel disenfranchised" by neighborhood associations, and have sent their letters of support.

"Save Interstate Avenue—save it for what?" Renaming it for Chávez would uplift it, she says.

4:38: Potter went to call for a vote. Sten interrupted him to ask for more council discussion.

Sten thinks the length of the new process is too long, and doesn't think they'd come up with another street that doesn't result in the same argument.

He thinks the current resolution's process would go on too long, and he's not really inclined to go for five streets, he thinks three is good, and one—Interstate—has already been picked.

So he says he'll vote against this resolution, but is open other ideas.

On one hand, without the mayor and the committee's buy in, he doesn't really see the point of no process. But on the other hand, in his eleven years in the building, he's never seen two commissioners ask for more time on an issue and not get that. In the interest of "how the building works" he's open to more time—a couple of months.

He doesn't see the harm in waiting a few more months.

"I'm really going back and forth on whether it's better to have a tough vote, as the mayor's calling for," or give it more time.

4:41: Leonard doesn't think it's accurate to presume that there will be controversy over any other proposal. He's not just hearing bigoted or NIMBY opposition. "The opposition that has concerned me has been from the thoughtful Portlanders who don't just live along Interstate, but all over Portland, who have said this has been a flawed process all along," a "done deal."

Sten says he can't think of any way to form another committee, and Leonard agrees. Leonard also says he's open to changing the timeline. He's also like to hear from historians, "who can help us think of what would be most appropriate... could help us decide what would make more sense."

If the council could say there were three or five streets the council could say they consider as "really good streets" and have a public hearings on those, then vote, "that would be appealing on me," Sten says.

"I would throw out possibly throwing out, let's hold this resolution over for another week and think about it as opposed to hashing it out on the fly," Leonard says.

Adams is worried that they're about to repeat the same mistake we made before. He wants a meaningful process, and notes that the council is busy. "I'm also mindful that we're three white guys..."

"Aren't I white too?" Potter asks. "FOUR white guys," Adams corrected himself. "FIVE white guys..." counting Saltzman.

He's like to see diverse input. "The process up to this point has been 'we're rename a street if there's not significant organized opposition to it,'" Adams says.

"I welcome the best idea, I want to vote for the best idea," and he'd support delaying a week to hammer it out. (Um... why didn't Sten work with Leonard and Adams to come up with a workable process over the last few weeks? They were certainly all discussing it.)

Adams' answer has Sten "wanting to wait less." Leonard wants to hammer out the new process now, then.

Potter: I don't feel really relevant to this conversation."

"You're the mayor of this city," Leonard responded, pointing out that he's incredibly relevant to this discussion.

"I don't think this is appropriate," Potter says, getting up and walking out. Sten stopped him: "I'm trying to find a way to work with you, and you're walking out on this discussion?" I couldn't catch what Potter said in return—he wasn't in front of his mic any more—but he left. KATU's camera guy chased after him.

"I"m a little stunned of the mayor walking out when I was about to support his position, but it makes it difficult to support his position if he's not here," Sten says, looking pretty damn flabbergasted.

"I don't, given what's happened," that they should crank out a new process right now, but he likes the direction this is going.

Leonard agrees. "I'm a little taken aback."

"I don't know how I can jam through a process, the champion of which isn't even here," Sten says, asking of Leonard will withdraw the resolution until next week.

"The citizens elect five people to the city council, and each of us in our own ways are leaders and bring something here... I apologize that this has transpired into what this is at this point. I do want to respect my colleagues here."

Adams: "There are not three votes to do anything today, that's the bottom line." They've continued the discussion to November 14 until at 10:30, the next time the entire council is around. "We stand adjourned."