City News Round Up: Friday, December 29, 2023
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next City Council meeting is Wednesday, January 3rd; read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Holiday Closure
Portland City Hall and city offices will be closed for New Year holiday on Monday, January 1.

Deadline 12/31: Rental Registration Renewal Due
Last reminder to landlords and property managers that the City’s annual rental registration process is currently open. Long Term Rental Renewal Notices for 2024 were mailed out in November. Renewals are due by December 31, 2023. The City is strongly encouraging landlords and property owners to renew their registrations online via our Citizen Self Service portal. Read the full update here. 

After Weather Postponement, City to Resolve Encampments Beginning 1/2
12/28 Update: This resolution was postponed due to the rain in order to ensure the health and safety of all involved; the new resolution date, based on the weather and the upcoming holiday, will be Tuesday, January 2nd.

12/21 Update: After delaying the planned resolution of the Harbor View Memorial Park encampment on 12/19 in order to conduct further outreach to get people into available shelter and provide the City Council with additional information, City staff will move forward to resolve encampments beginning on Thursday, December 28. On Thursday, December 21, notices alerting encampment occupants that the encampment will be resolved on December 28th will be posted at both the Harbor View and Douglass Street/Dougherty Field encampments. Read the full update here.

Are you passionate about making a difference in our community? We're hiring four Community Health Promotion Specialists with a focus on OUTREACH to work for the City’s Encampment Crisis Response Team. Come do good work with us!

ReCode: Learn more about LD 2003 in the City of Portland
On December 18, 2023, the City Council adopted amendments to the Land Use Code in response to LD 2003. These amendments intersect with ReCode in important ways. LD 2003 is a state law that requires communities to adopt particular standards around affordable housing, permitted residential uses, and accessory dwelling units before January of 2024. Learn more.

January 2024: Minimum Wage Increase
The minimum wage in the City of Portland increases to $15 per hour for hourly employees, or $7.50 for service employees, starting January 1, 2024. Please visit portlandmaine.gov/minimumwage for more information and to download the notice (Spanish).

Reminder: Grants + Loans Available to Portland Businesses/Nonprofits
Microenterprise Grant: Provides grants of up to $5,000 to very small businesses whose owners meet certain income thresholds (nonprofits are also eligible).

• Portland's Growing Childcare Grant: Daycare businesses can use grant funds to increase enrollment or to start a new home-based daycare. 
• Domestic Trade Grants: Available for businesses in specific industries to promote their trade and marketing capacity.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Portland businesses and nonprofits that suffered an economic injury due to the Lewiston mass shooting can apply for low-interest loans directly; visit the SBA customer service center at the Lewiston Armory.

Winter Storm Operations Information
Are you ready for snow?! ❄️  City officials would like to remind residents of our winter storm operations information. Our Department of Public Works is ready for the season in which they care for more than 560 lane miles of road, and the City’s Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department cares for more than 100 miles of sidewalks during and following snow storms. 

While the City prides itself on delivering high quality services, especially as it pertains to the treatment, plowing, and removal of snow from city streets, it’s important for residents to be aware that this winter season poses significant challenges. DPW is concerned that the combination of open positions for CDL drivers, employee leaves of absences, and a decrease in the number of private contractors and equipment may cause extended delays in the clearing of snow on city streets during snow events. Read the full update and save this webpage for all your winter operations information.
 

The Payson Park residential sand shed is up and running (next to the ball field). Limit of two 5-gallon pails per residence, per visit. The sand and salt pile is for residential use only, contractors are not allowed.⁠

New Resources for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
Our Public Health team is working to inform the public of the right to abortion care in Maine and offer information about trusted resources for abortion care and other sexual and reproductive health care, in Portland and in Maine. Find the resources and learn more here.

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. Recent positions listed: Business Applications Analyst I, Director of Social Services/Admissions: Barron Center, Program Coordinator: Public Health Division, Community Health Promotion Specialists - Outreach, Director of Health & Human Services, Assistant City Manager, JDEI Associate, Fire: Principal Financial Officer, Treasury Cashier Clerk, and more new roles Health + Human Services. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.

Parks, Recreation & Facilities Updates
Read the Parks/Rec newsletter for Fall/Winter programs and more. Thank you for your patience while we manage pool repairs, read the latest update here.

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. 

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects

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

• 2023-2024 Winter Sidewalks Plow Route - Find Updated Map here. 
• Back Cove South Project: Read the 11/16/23 update.

City Council Agenda Preview: Wednesday, 1/3

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
Recognizing Portland Police Officer David Shertz, Fire Lieutenant Michael Casey, firefighters Jacob Garrison, Ronald Giroux + Dan Verrill, fire boat members Lieutenant David Crowley + firefighters Torin Hultz and Patrick Hourihane, + civilian Manny Kourinos

Proclamations + 6 Business Licenses, Public comment taken 
# 14 Recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

Communications, No Public comment, No Council action 
# 25 Regarding the State of Maine Legislative Process

Resolutions
# 5 Calling for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

Unfinished Business
# 87 Amendment to Zoning Map Re: R-5 Residential for 921 Ocean Ave, 410, 422 & 426 Presumpscot St.

# 45 Amendment to the Portland City Code Chapter 2 Re: Qualification for Land Bank Commission Members

Orders, First Read Only, No public comment
# 94 Accepting/Appropriating a $3,533.70 Grant from the Maine Bureau of Public Safety for Drug Recognition Expert Training 

# 95 Approving the One-Year Extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Portland Police Benevolent Association