gas pump.JPG

An filling station attendant pumps gas in Portland, where the City Council wants to raise state and federal gas taxes to help pay for transportation projects.

(The Associated Press)

Children make Christmas lists.

The Portland City Council writes its legislative agenda.

Without fail, both groups shape long lists every December outlining their "wants" for the year ahead – a new bike to ride, a new revenue stream to roll – knowing that not all of their desires will actually come true.

At 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the City Council will review its draft list of state and federal priorities (you can watch live). Out of a list of dozens, here is a brief look at some of the more notable topics on the agenda:

On-body police cameras:

Mayor Charlie Hales wants to put cameras on cops. But the city doesn't necessarily want all of that footage to make its way to reporters. The city instead wants a "narrowly tailored public records exemption" that balances privacy and transparency issues for when body-camera footage would be released to the media and public. The city also wants the same rules for the new body cameras as in-car dash cameras, enabling officers to film without always notifying the public that their conversation or interaction is being recorded.

Gas tax:

As Portland pushes for a residential income tax and business fees to pay for transportation projects, the City Council also wants the Legislature to send more cash to Portland's coffers. How? The city would support a gas tax "that considers" fuel efficiency and inflation to make sure future gas tax revenues don't flat line or lose their spending power. Similarly, the city wants the federal government to increase its gas tax by 15 cents a gallon.

Fixed photo radar:

Portland wants to ensure that photo radar can be used at fixed locations, not just in the roving vans. And the push isn't about writing speeding tickets with fines, officials argue. By targeting speeding on high-crash corridors, the city hopes to cut the number of crashes, which would have "immediate positive outcomes for our community."

Children's services district:

Commissioner Dan Saltzman convinced voters in 2002 to raise taxes to help kids. But every few years, Saltzman needs to ask voters to renew the tax levy. His solution? Change state law to allow for creation of a children's services district – like a parks district or a library district – that would provide permanent funding.

Minimum wage:

Oregon's minimum wage will bump up to $9.25 in 2015. But the City Council says that's not enough for low-income residents. So what is enough? Well, they don't specify. But the City Council is poised to "support statewide efforts to raise Oregon's minimum wage." And the City Council supports an increase in the federal minimum wage -- which would have no impact in Oregon -- too.

Sick leave:

Portland became the fourth city in the country last year to approve a sick-leave law protecting hourly workers. Now the City Council is poised to support legislation that would expand earned sick leave for workers statewide, and oppose anything that might preempt or interfere with Portland's already approved policy, which went into effect Jan. 1.

Bull Run water:

City leaders scored a big financial victory when the feds, through the state, granted Portland a water-treatment variance in 2012. That meant Portland wouldn't have to build a $90 million treatment plant at Bull Run, so long as the city kept monitoring water to ensure no traces of the harmful parasite cryptosporidium. But the city now says the Environmental Protection Agency is considering changes that would make it difficult to meet monitoring requirements. Portland wants to maintain the status quo.

Bike Share:

The bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., don't consider bike sharing as "transit" under Federal Transit Administration guidelines. That means no federal money can be spent on bike share projects. Portland officials – who had hopes of launching its own program – think bike sharing should be considered a valid transit mode. They note that it can serve as the final connection for a commuter taking multiple modes of transit to the office.

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Reading:

The Oregonian: Portland protesters rally to draw attention to police tactics in wake of Ferguson demonstrations

Portland Tribune: Expert: Growth plan too costly

Portland Mercury: Morrison Bridge Suppliers Tell County: Sorry, You Accepted Our Flawed Product

Portland Tribune: Street fee sunset may not sway opponents

-- Brad Schmidt