PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland City Council Wednesday made a promise to the public on the issue of sidewalks.

Leaders vowed to come up with a new sidewalk ordinance that's both legal and compassionate.

With a unanimous vote at city hall, regulations dictating where one can sit or lie on a sidewalk will be replaced by what leaders are calling a new Sidewalk Management Plan.

KGW photo

Downtown Portland.

Because judges don't like what previous Portland administrations have come up with on this topic, city commissioners decided to simplify the approach.

They'll create an ordinance whereby police enforce sidewalk openness using only the federal law known as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"What is the fair thing and what is the right thing to do on downtown sidewalks and to help people who need services," said Commissioner Amanda Fritz.

Wednesday's action sets the course for brainstorming that new ordinance.

The ACLU is concerned about how the right to panhandle would be impacted under new rules

"It sends a confusing message. Asking someone for money is not a crime," said Andrea Meyer, ACLU of Oregon.

To discourage the support of panhandling under the new policy, the city will start a new homeless services charity fund where shoppers can donate to the cause at local retailers.

Creating new public bathrooms will also be a part of this new sidewalk plan.

Precisely where you can stay or go on a Portland sidewalk will be determined during an upcoming public debate.