Getting in just under the deadline for next week’s city council agenda, City Commissioners Randy Leonard and Sam Adams filed a resolution outlining additional process before the city renames a street for César E. Chávez—a resolution that will come up for a vote a full week before the Mayor’s resolution to rename Interstate for Chávez.

Following a full page of “WHEREAS” lines outlining the great things Chávez did—and one that says “WHEREAS, the memory and legacy of César E. Chávez should be adequately and prominently honored in the CIty of Portland by the naming of a major arterial street in his honor,” making the city’s intent clear—the resolution outlines the expanded process. Essentially, it’s a public version of what the César E. Chávez Boulevard Committee did earlier this year, when they narrowed down a potential list of streets to choose Interstate.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland shall name a major arterial street in honor of César E. Chávez; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that by no later than December 5, 2007, the Portland City Council will authorize the membership of the César E. Chávez Street Naming Committee to lead the selection process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that by no later than January 31, 2008, the César E. Chávez Street Naming Committee shall establish a list of no fewer than 5 major arterial streets for consideration, and present the list for formal approval to the City Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the César E. Chávez Street Naming Committee shall utilize a process of elimination that occurs in stages throughout the public process, which includes public hearings in each affected region of the City prior to decision points; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Portland shall employ its resources to make sure all public hearings and decision points are well-publicized through City media, news media, and other advertising media; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the selection process for identifying a street to be renamed for César E. Chávez shall be completed and brought forward for a City Council decision by no later than July 1, 2008.

Commissioners Leonard and Adams, as co-sponsors, are clearly two votes for this resolution. Commissioner Erik Sten is reportedly the swing vote. He left me a message this morning—following my call to inquire where he was at, given yesterday’s news that the mayor had scheduled a vote to rename Interstate for October 31—saying he wanted to check in with the mayor “and see what’s going on,” characterizing the issue as one with “a lot of moving parts.” I’m calling him back…