Raymond Lee Confirmed as Portland's First Long-term City Administrator

"A central piece of the discussion during the confirmation hearing was how Lee views information sharing between the administrative side of the city's government, led by the mayor, and the legislative side, led by the City Council. Multiple councilors told Lee they expected him to build trust between the two bodies, which they said has been lost in the first year of the city's new government structure. Lee made a point of acknowledging that tension throughout his hearing."

""I see the city administrator role as a service role and ensuring that I'm serving not only our mayor but our elected body as well," Lee said. Lee added that he expects to have open dialogue with city councilors both in person and through committees, before they reach the full council. The city administrator position did not exist under Portland's bureau form of government."

Raymond Lee was confirmed 11-0 (with one absence) as Portland's first long-term city administrator under the city's new form of government, taking office shortly before current City Administrator Michael Jordan retires. Councilors concentrated on Lee's approach to information sharing between the mayor-led administrative branch and the Council-led legislative branch and urged him to rebuild trust they say was lost during the first year. Lee described the role as a service role to both the mayor and the elected body and pledged open dialogue with councilors in person and via committees. Councilor Candace Avalos urged Lee to pilot trust-building efforts in East Portland to increase community engagement and representation.

Read at Portland Mercury