When the voters chose in 2007 to update several parts of the Portland City Charter, effective 2009, a new section was adopted requiring the appointment of a Charter Review Commission in January 2011. Council appointed the Charter Commission by Resolution on December 15, 2010, to begin work in January. 

The current Commission is operating on a limited timeframe and budget, and has been asked by Council to focus on three items:

• Housekeeping amendments for the upcoming May and November ballots;
• Provide advice to the Council on how to encourage participation and applications to be appointed for the second Charter Commission; and
• Develop a list of issues with policy implications, to be discussed by the second Charter Commission formed after the conclusion of the Portland Plan.