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POL Government Bureaus & Offices Neighborhood Involvement About ONI ONI Standards and City Code 3.96
ONI Standards and City Code 3.96
Standards for Neighborhood System
Text of ONI Standards with easy access table of contents
Resources to Help Your Association
Frequently asked questions and suggested Neighborhood Association bylaws template.
Guidelines Review, Empowerment, and Assessment Taskforce (GREAT)
Archives of GREAT committee that reviewed and updated Code and Standards adopted July 13, 2005.
ONI Standards for Neighborhood System
PDF version of Standards for Neighborhood Associations, Business District Associations, District Coalitions and ONI
City Code Title 3.96
Link to Auditor's webpage for City Code Title 3.96, Office of Neighborhood Involvement
Ordinance for City Code 3.96
Ordinance 179418 for City Code Title 3.96 adopted by Council on July 13, 2005
Resolution for ONI Standards
Resolution 36329 for Standards of neighborhood system adopted by Council July 13, 2005
Archives from 1974 to 1997
Archival records of previous Council adoptions of City Code 3.96 and ONI Guidelines

Information on ONI Standards, City Code 3.96

 
 
Since 1974 Portland City Council has set minimum standards to guide Portland's neighborhood system.  City Code Title 3.96 is the authorizing language for Portland's neighborhood system and directs the Office of Neighborhood Involvement to develop Standards.  The Standards are the regulations for Neighborhood Associations, Business District Associations and District Coalitions to follow in order to be recognized (or acknowledged in the case of Business Associations) by the City's Office of Neighborhood Involvement. 
 
Included are minimum standards  such as:
  • What topics need to be included in Association bylaws in order to be recognized,
  • What are benefits of being recognized by the City,
  • What communication funds can be spent on,
  • How conflicts are resolved through the grievance process,
  • Open meetings and public records rules,
  • What are the roles of District Coalitions and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement to serve the Neighborhood Associations.
Portland City Council adopts update of Standards for Portland neighborhood system July 13, 2005
 
The citizen-led committee, Guidelines Review Empowerment and Assessment Taskforce (GREAT) submitted its final draft update of Standards governing Portland’s neighborhood system in the spring of 2005.  On July 13, 2005 City Council adopted ordinance #179418 updating "City Code Title 3.96, Office of Neighborhood Involvement ", and resolution #36329 updating the "Standards for Neighborhood Associations, District Coalitions, Business District Associations and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement ."
 
Where can I find suggested bylaws language and answers to my questions?
 
Most Neighborhood Associations will need to update their by-laws in order to comply with the new StandardsSuggested bylaws language for Neighborhood Associations are provided.  Key changes that will affect most Neighborhood Association's bylaws are changes to references about grievance procedures and open meetings and public records.  The Office of Neighborhood Involvement and District Coalitions will provide assistance to Associations in this efforts to update bylaws.  Click here to find contact info for your District Coalition.
 
This will include:
  • Mailing an info packet to each Association with updated information
  • Providing summaries of key changes in the updated Standards
  • Providing suggested sample templates of bylaws language
  • ONI review of Association bylaws to suggest changes to comply with new Standards
  • Training District Coalition staff to assist Associations
  • Offering to hold board training retreats with each coalition
 
For more information or questions contact:
 
Brian Hoop at 503-823-3075 or bhoop@ci.portland.or.us or your District Coalition .
 
PDF Information
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