City News Round Up: Friday, March 29, 2024
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the March 18th City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next City Council workshop is scheduled for Monday, April 1 and the next City Council meeting is April 8.

Federal Disaster Declaration for January Storms
President Biden approved Maine's request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help eight coastal counties recover from back-to-back severe storms (January 10th + January 13th), which brought significant flooding and damage. Residents who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency App. Information on Disaster Recovery Center locations will be made available on maine.gov/flood soon for those who may prefer to meet in person with a FEMA representative.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Teams:  Over the coming weeks, FEMA teams will be going door to door in neighborhoods impacted by the January storms. We wanted you to be aware in case a FEMA rep comes to your house.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
The 2nd Annual Egg Hunt at Payson Park will now be held on Saturday, March 30th (postponed due to weather). This free event starts at 10 AM. Learn more and register today! Registration is required, residents only. Interested in volunteering? Reach out to recreation@portlandmaine.gov. Read all the latest updates on programs and much more (like musical duets 🎹 by staff) in their February 2024 newsletter.

Post Ice Storm Clean-up
Our Forestry crews are clearing trees, debris, and limbs from the recent storm. Crews are working hard to keep up with demand. Priority is given to roads, sidewalks, and school routes. Parks and trails will be cleared as soon as possible. Homeowners are responsible for cleaning up private property. The City cannot take on additional storm clean-up, so please help by respecting this request.
Please take any limbs on your property to Riverside Recycling. 

West End Neighborhood Spring Clean-up
Join the West End Neighborhood Association for their Spring Clean-Up on April 20 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The event starts at the Reich Community Center. For more details, visit the WENA neighborhood webpage.

2023 Year in Review Homeless Services Report
Our Health and Human Services (HHS) Department has issued a 2023 Year in Review Homeless Services report detailing the work of its Public Health and Social Services divisions. In conjunction with local community partners, these two divisions have provided wide-ranging services and programs to people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness in Portland. 

The programs and services provided by the City offer low-barrier compassionate care, promote and protect individual and community health, and seek to encourage dignity, self-respect, and self-reliance in the transition from public assistance to self-sufficiency. This work can be seen through the City’s operation of the Homeless Services Center (HSC) emergency shelter for single adults, harm reduction and overdose prevention, clinical services, prevention and diversion, housing services, and mobile housing fairs. Read More

Domestic Trade Grants available from Maine DECD
The second round of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Domestic Trade Grants is now open. Please review the Guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions, and the application templates carefully. Applicants will need to set up an account with Maine DECD’s Salesforce database to apply. Applications are due on Thursday, April 11 at 5:00 PM.

All applicants are encouraged to attend a weekly webinar hosted every Tuesday at noon until April 9th. The webinars will provide prospective applicants and partners with an overview of the program, including eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and additional assistance. These webinars will function as office hours, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions. Sign up to attend a webinar here. A recording of a recent webinar is located here.

For more information, please email domestictrade@gpcog.org or call (207) 387-2919. You can also click here for more details.

City to Begin Next Revaluation
Our Assessing Office is beginning the process for the next revaluation for assessment purposes in accordance with Maine property tax law and the City Council’s June 16, 2021 Resolution. The resolution recommended that the Assessor and the City Manager, as necessary, conduct ongoing work to support citywide revaluations every five years, and that sufficient funds to support such revaluations be authorized and appropriated. The process is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025 and implemented in FY 2026. Read the full update.

Libbytown Safety & Accessibility Project Awarded $22 Million
Last week, Congresswoman Pingree announced $22.4 million to reconnect the divided Libbytown neighborhood—improving accessibility, safety, and sense of community. In partnership with MaineDOT, our Libbytown Safety & Accessibility Project will convert the one-way sections of Park Avenue and Congress Street to two-way, with accompanying bicycle, pedestrian, and streetscape improvements to better the streets' safety and function for all users. Learn more.

Spring Curbside Yard Waste Collection ⁠🌷 April 22 - May 3
Annual spring curbside collection of yard waste starts Monday, April 22nd and continues through Friday, May 3rd. Leaves must be in large, paper biodegradable leaf bags. Yard waste curbside collection may not coincide with your weekly trash collection day. Once you place the leaf bags curbside, please leave them curbside so they are accessible for the crew regardless of the weather or your trash collection day. Due to safety risks, crews will NOT collect bags of mulched leaves, sticks, branches, rocks sod, and/or bags of dirt. Public Works 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. ⁠Visit portlandmaine.gov/YardWaste to learn more.

4/26-4/28: Casco Bay Garage Spring Cleaning
The annual garage Spring Cleaning has been scheduled for the weekend beginning Friday, April 26th. This will require all Casco Bay Parking Garage customers to vacate the garage from 7:00 PM Friday, April 26th through 5:00 PM Sunday, April 28th. For your convenience, your Casco Bay Parking Pass will allow you to park at the Custom House Garage during this period. You will be able to access the Custom House Garage 24 hours a day with your parking card. Please direct questions to: customerservice@mhrmanagement.com. 

Women in Aviation
Watch this great video celebrating the women who make the Portland Jetport run. Want to work with this team? They're hiring! Learn more. 

4/2 Public Meeting, Cumberland County Coastal Erosion Hazard Area
To help identify the risk to communities, FEMA has created coastal erosion hazard areas displaying projected hazards for 2030, 2050, and 2100, incorporating projected sea level rise. FEMA Region I has shared the study results with county community officials and will share with members of the community at a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, April 2nd, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, learn more and register here. There will be time at the end for community members to ask questions.

Portland Emerald Ash Borer Management Update
Read about our Forestry Division’s ongoing efforts to manage Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive tree pest, in Portland. With more than 600 Ash street trees inventoried in the city, staff is working to save as many as possible through the use of treatments and organic bio-controls, but many will succumb to the pest and need to be removed and replaced over the next three to five years. Read the full update.

New Round of Electrify Everything! Rebates Available Now
Our Sustainability Office launched the next round of rebates available to Portland residents for DIY home efficiency and weatherization. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, save energy and save money with rebate-eligible items you can pick up at your local hardware store! Visit portlandmaine.gov/electrify to find out more. Read the full story here.

4/10 Free Concert: United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus
Merrill Auditorium is pleased to welcome the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus on Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 PM. This elite 65 member instrumental ensemble is considered by music critics to be one of the most versatile and inspiring musical organizations in the world. Reserve your complimentary tickets here. 

Business Resilience Storm Response Grants
Working waterfront businesses that directly support fishing and aquaculture on islands and in fishing dependent communities impacted by the storms on January 10th and 13th may be eligible for grant awards up to $5,000 via the Island Institute. Learn more and apply on their website. 

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. Recent positions listed: Program Coordinator (HOPE): Health and Human Services; Principal Financial Office: Portland PD; Licensing + Registration Assistant: Rent Control; Parking Garage Cashier – On Call; 62+ Program Activity Driver – Recreation Programmer-on Call; Trades Worker III; HVAC Technician II – Public Buildings; IT Systems Administrator I; Senior Engineer; Planner. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.

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.