(Portland, OR) -- Portland's newly formed 12-member City Council, created under a restructured government system, faced challenges in its first meeting on Thursday, including tie votes for council president. The council, now separate from the mayor's office, debated between nominees Candace Avalos and Olivia Clark before adding Elana Pirtle-Guiney to the mix after multiple 6-6 ties. This meeting marks a shift from the previous commission-style government to a district-based council system.