Today at city council, the mayor and commissioners are slated to either vote on or procedurally kill Mayor Tom Potter’s ordinance to rename Interstate for César E. Chávez (they already procedurally killed the resolution that precedes the ordinance). They’re also going to discuss and vote on Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s ordinance to recast the process for council-initiated renames, to clear the path for a rename of 4th Avenue.

But just you wait!

Council chambers is nearing capacity, filled with representatives of Old Town/Chinatown—reportedly at the behest of Maria Rojo de Steffey, who met with Chinatown leaders earlier. I can’t imagine, if they’re coordinating with Interstate-rename allies like de Steffey, that they’re here to outright oppose Chávez. Rather, I’m expecting testimony of solidarity with the Chávez committee, asking the council to redirect the rename back to Interstate (and off of 4th).

First we’re going to “Accept 2006-2007 Annual Report for the Portland Watershed Management Plan,” then zip through the consent agenda, then the smoking ban on city properties, and THEN we’ll get to rename related items. Hopefully.