City News Round Up: Friday, November 10, 2023
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the 10/16 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next regular meeting is Monday, November 13, read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

City Hall Closures: Veterans Day 11/10 and Late Opening on 11/15
Portland City Hall and city offices will be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day. Trash, recycling and leaf pick up will continue as normal (Riverside Recycling Facility is closed on Saturday, November 11/11). A parade will take place Saturday, 11/11; assembly will begin at Longfellow Square at 10:00 AM and proceed down Congress Street, ending at City Hall at approximately 11:00 AM with a ceremony/speeches to follow.

City Hall will also open late, at 9:30 AM, on Wednesday, 11/15, due to an all-staff training. 

Unofficial Election Results
Find the unofficial election results for the November 7 election: Unofficial Municipal Election results, and Unofficial Referendum Election results. Because no candidate for Mayor received more than 50% of the total votes, ranked choice voting tabulation was run on Wednesday, 11/8 to determine the outcome, view ranked choice tabulation results here. Mark Dion is the Mayor-elect. He and the other new City Council members will be sworn-in on Monday, December 4 at 6:00 PM at City Hall. All election results can be viewed on the City Clerk’s Elections & Voting page.

City to Honor Five Local Businesses for Contributions to Portland Economy
Our Annual Business Awards, given by the City and the Portland Development Corporation, return this month after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Five Portland businesses will receive awards for their contributions to our economy on Wednesday, 11/15, at Ocean Gateway (14 Ocean Gateway Pier), 4:30 PM-6:30 PM. Learn more about the awardees here. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the awards.

New Director of Housing & Economic Development Department
City Manager Danielle P. West has selected Gregory Watson to become the City’s new Director of Housing & Economic Development. Watson needs to be confirmed by the City Council, which will vote on the appointment during its November 13, 2023 meeting. If approved, he will begin work in the position on the following day. Read the full story here.

Portland Police Weekly Summaries
As part of the distribution of public information, you can read the Portland Police weekly summaries of service calls over a seven-day period. Weekly arrest logs and daily media logs are available here.

Blue Heart Campaign in Portland for Love Lewiston Day
Thank you to those of you who participated in a blue heart campaign during Love Lewiston Day last week, to show support for the Lewiston community. The day was organized by Tree Street Youth, learn more and download a heart image on our website here. 

Annual District Meetings - District 4 Next on 11/16
Our annual district meetings are an opportunity for residents to discuss neighborhood issues with their City Councilors, the City Manager, and City staff. We look forward to continue to meet and talk with you this month! Visit our website for the full details. Upcoming meetings: District 4, Thursday, 11/16, 6:00 PM and District 5, Wednesday, 11/29, 6:00 PM. 

ReCode: Climate Resilience Zoning, Share Your Input
We’re drafting our approach to climate resilience zoning, and we need your input! Over the past six months, we’ve been working across city staff and local stakeholders to develop a draft approach to climate resilience zoning. This approach is based on available data and scientific models, and it’s now available for public input, along with an informational web map through which community members can better understand projected coastal flood risks. Take a look and add your comments by November 24th.

Pandemic Relief Funding Now Available, New Small Businesses
New pandemic relief funding is now available to small business owners in most of Cumberland County who started their business during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not received state or federal recovery funding to address economic impacts of the pandemic. Applications may be submitted starting 11/1; grant amounts range between $5,000 and $20,000. Learn more and apply here.

11/17: Coffee + Climate, Environmental Justice
Our next Coffee & Climate chat will focus on  Environmental Justice, register here to join the virtual chat on Friday, 11/17 at 9:00 AM. Jiwana Soleimani, Color of Climate Program Coordinator at Gateway Community Services Maine will join us to explore the intersection of the climate crisis and our communities. Their mission is to center the voices, experiences, and narratives of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) youth within the climate change crises and within environmental justice issues. 

Fall Curbside Leaf Collection Going On Now Through November 24
This year fall curbside leaf bag collection will take place Monday, 10/30 through Friday, 11/24. Place leaves in paper biodegradable leaf bags (required) and leave curbside, even in inclement weather. Due to safety risks, crews will NOT collect bags of mulched leaves, sticks, branches, rocks sod, and/or bags of dirt. Please note: We cannot accurately predict when the leaf collection crews will be on your street as it depends on the volume of leaves they collect each day, as they work their way through the city. Find full details on our website here. 

Greater Portland’s Arts + Culture Sector Generated $86 Million in 2022
This week Creative Portland announced that Greater Portland’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $86 million in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity Survey (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts. This economic activity supported 1,872 jobs and generated $20.7 million in local, state, and federal government revenue. Read the full update here. 

 

Planning Board Approval: 89 Elm Street 
On October 24th the Planning Board unanimously approved a Major Site Plan application submitted by a local developer (89 Elm Street LLC./Reveler Development) to redevelop an existing surface parking lot into a new multifamily residential building with 201 affordable new homes and ground-floor retail space in the heart of Bayside. As part of this approval the project will involve the reconstruction of sidewalks, stormwater management improvements, and the planting of over 20 street trees, in a neighborhood with the fewest amount of trees citywide. 

Tips For Securing Your Bike - Portland Police
Portland Police are urging citizens to take extra precautions when leaving their bikes outside, they've estimated nearly 100 bikes have been stolen in the city since June 1st. Read the full update for their tips and precautions. You can also now file a police report online here.

Public Health: Lead Poisoning Prevention
Our Public Health division continues to raise awareness about how to protect children from lead. This special week highlights the importance of testing children for lead poisoning, the ways parents and caregivers can reduce a child’s exposure to lead, and the ways our community can work together to prevent the environmental risk. Visit our website to get a free lead dust kit, enter their Cleaning Kit Raffle, and learn more.

Flu Shot Walk-In Hours
Flu vaccines are available at Portland Public Health Clinic (39 Forest Ave.), no cost, and no appointment needed. Walk-in hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Available for children 6 months + older and uninsured adults, while supplies last. 

Volunteers Needed to Shovel Snow for Elderly Neighbors
Age-Friendly Portland is looking for volunteers to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter. Volunteers are asked to shovel the steps and a path from the front door to the sidewalk, as well as the sidewalk in front of the property. Volunteers are needed in all Portland neighborhoods. Please contact Linda Weare if you are age 65+ and in need of snow shoveling or to volunteer by emailing agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov or calling 207-541-6620.
Also, watch this video to learn about the age-friendly business program and why being age-friendly certified is so important to Portland.

Annual Street Maintenance Parking Regulations In Effect
Reminder - it's time for Fall street cleaning! Street maintenance parking restrictions are in effect annually from October 1 - May 31.⁠ Please remember, cars not in compliance with City of Portland street maintenance signs are subject to ticketing and towing. Visit portlandmaine.gov/streetmaintenance⁠ to read the full information for your neighborhood. Special note: Thames Street has returned to having overnight street maintenance parking regulations in effect. Signs have been reinstalled now that nearby construction is complete.

Parks, Recreation & Facilities Updates
Read the September newsletter to learn more about the new North Deering Park, register for Fall/Winter programs and much more!

Bulky Waste Collection Permit Program - Through November 30th
Did you know Portland Public Works provides a convenient way to dispose of many items curbside (April to November)? Learn more here, and email questions to: solidwaste@portlandmaine.gov.

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning! Recent positions listed: Associate Corporation Counsel (Contracts and Real Estate), Planner,  new roles Health + Human Services, Special Assistant to the City Manager, Outreach & Initiatives Coordinator, Benefits and Compensation Manager; Code Enforcement Officer; Housing Program Coordinator; Public Health Nurse - Maternal Child Health; and more. View the full list of openings here.

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects

Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for information links to all the most r
ecent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.


City Council Agenda Preview, Monday, 11/13

The meeting will be held in-person in Council Chambers. You can watch the live-stream by visiting portlandmaine.gov/agendas. Public comment will only be taken in-person or in writing.

5:00 PM: Public comment period on non-agenda items

Recognitions + Annual Meeting

Recognizing 6th + 7th grade students for their efforts in keeping the Oakdale/Back Cove neighborhoods clean by collecting trash

Annual Meeting of the Corporator of Creative Portland to Accept as a Communication the Annual Report of Creative Portland for FY2023

Proclamations, Appointments, 1 Business License
#12 Recognizing November 2023 as Native American Heritage Month 

#13 Honoring the City of Portland First Responders who Assisted with the Lewiston Mass Shooting Response Effort

#62 Confirming the Appointment of Gregory Watson as Housing & Economic Development Director

Communications
#15 Fiscal Year End 2023 Annual Tax Increment Financing Report 

#16 Update re: Emergency Shelter at 166 Riverside Parkway

#18 Greater Portland Transit District 2024 Budget and Local Assessment

#19 Letter requesting support for City of Portland Resettlement Program

Resolutions
#3 Supporting Establishment of a Sister City Relationship, Garissa Township, Kenya

#4 Supporting Assault Rifle Ban + Other Gun Regulations in the State of Maine

Unfinished Business
#37 Reconsideration: Declaring a State of Limited Emergency at 654 Riverside Street (No public comment as it was taken 10/2)

#55 Designating + Adopting Municipal Development Program: Riverton Park Affordable Housing Development and Tax Increment Financing District 

#56 Approving the Credit Enhancement Agreement with Riverton Park LP

#57 Appropriating $589,897 in HOME Investment Partnership Program Funds to Portland Housing Development Corporation RE: Riverton Park 

#58 Appropriating $910,103 in Housing Trust Fund to Portland Housing Development Corporation RE: Riverton Park 

#59 Accepting/Appropriating $100,000 Grant from The Glickman Foundation

#60 Accepting/Appropriating $45,200 Grant from the Governor's Office for Policy, Innovation, and the Future 

#61 Zoning Map Amendment to B-2b Community Business for the area of land around intersection of Washington Ave, Bates St and Veranda St 

Orders, Public Comment on all except #67
#64 Authorizing Stadium Use Agreement with Portland United, LLC (USL Soccer) for the Use and Occupancy of Fitzpatrick Stadium 

#65 Accepting/Appropriating a $79,630 U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 

#66 Approving the Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement with Douglass Commons LLC for 43 and 91 Douglass Street 

#67 Order Accepting and Appropriating Asset Forfeiture Funds to the Portland Police Department, First Read

Amendments, First Read only
#68 Amendment to Portland City Code Chapters 17, 18, and 25 re: Camping and Loitering on Public Property