City News Round Up: Friday, April 19, 2024
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the April 8th City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next City Council meeting is Monday, April 22, find the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Saturday! City Earth Day Celebration in Payson Park
Join us tomorrow, April 20th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, for our free, family-friendly Earth Day Celebration in Payson Park! City departments are teaming up with local green organizations to host a festival of fun: music, food trucks, facepaint, e-bikes and electric lawn equipment to try out, balloon animals, outdoor activities, and more. Join us and help us celebrate our sustainable City!

West End Neighborhood Spring Clean Up
Residents are also invited to join the West End Neighborhood Association for their Spring Clean-Up tomorrow, April 20th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The event starts at the Reich Community Center. For more details, visit the WENA neighborhood webpage.

7th Annual Portland Plog Pluck
The Runaways Run Club and Austin Street Brewery are hosting a city street clean up project this Saturday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. If you've never heard of plogging, it's "plucking" trash while "jogging" = plogging. They've collected over 1,500 pounds of trash to date in partnership with the City and local businesses. Learn more.

4/21: 7th Annual India St Neighborhood Clean-up
Join Cloudport on India Street Sunday, 4/21, 10:00 AM - 12 Noon for another annual Earth Day clean up! Meet at 63 Federal Street and they will provide the tools needed (gloves, trash bags, rakes, grabbers, buckets), and complimentary food/beverages served before and after. Learn more.

4/21: Peaks Island FEMA In Person Disaster Assistance
Representatives from FEMA will be visiting the Peaks Island Community Center Sunday, 4/21, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM to assist residents in registering any damages that were incurred during the January 9-13 storms. While this is intended for primary homeowners, no one is discouraged from applying.

Portland Fire Department “Rescuing the Rescuers”
Did you know that more firefighters die by suicide each year than in the line of duty? We're so proud that the Portland Fire Department is working to change that through a series of resources and efforts to help combat mental health struggles within the department. Don't miss these NEWS CENTER Maine stories to learn more.

4/24: Jetport Noise Advisory Committee Meeting
The public meeting of the PWM Noise Advisory Committee will be held on Wednesday, April 24, at 6:00 PM in the Main Conference Room at the Jetport.

Wheelchair Ramp Funding Available
Alpha One Disability + Aging Solutions has grant funding available through its Critical Access Ramp Program; the program is available across Maine with a current emphasis on those located in Portland. This program was developed to provide those who meet program guidelines with a high-quality wheelchair ramp. Contact Alpha One to learn more + apply: info@alphaonenow.org, 800-640-7200.

Save the Date: Battle of the Bridge, June 22nd
The Battle of the Bridge brings together the courageous members of the Portland Fire Department and the South Portland Fire Department for an epic clash for the ages for a good cause. All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Portland Firefighters Children's Burn Foundation. Learn more and get tickets here.

FY25 Municipal Budget Process Underway
City Manager West submitted her recommended $353 million FY25 Municipal Operating Budget to Portland City Council at the Monday, April 8th City Council meeting; read the full update here. The budget has now been referred to the Finance Committee for further review before coming back to the City Council for approval. ⁠City Council will have the first read and public hearing for the budget at the Monday, May 6 meeting. The second read, public hearing, and expected vote will take place at the Monday, May 20 meeting.⁠ Find detailed updates here and see all scheduled meetings here.⁠ 

Introducing Recruiter Chat!
Last week we announced a new way for people to find the perfect job working on one of our City teams! Introducing Recruiter Chat, an opportunity to meet with our City recruiter to learn more about our application process, share your career interests, and explore our open positions. Schedule a chat here.

City of Portland Wins Gold - 2024 Best Wellness Employer
Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of measurable workplace wellness programs, announced earlier this week that the City of Portland is one of 13 organizations to achieve the 2024 Best Wellness Employer gold certification! The Best Wellness Employer program, developed in collaboration with experts from Harvard Medical School, recognizes the significant achievements of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.

Volunteer on City Boards & Committees - Apply by May 10th
We're seeking volunteer applications for various board and committee positions which all play an important role in Portland’s government. Find the full role descriptions, along with application directions on our website here. Interested applicants can send a resume and cover letter to: Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or via email to arand@portlandmaine.gov. Applicants will be contacted for interviews. The deadline to apply is Friday, May  10. 

Affordable Housing Development & Tax Increment Financing Application
Our 2024 Affordable Housing Development and Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing Application is now available. Funds under this application can be used for the development of affordable housing in the city of Portland. Learn more and apply here.

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
This week Portland Police honored our Portland Regional Communications Center 911 Telecommunicators and the vital service they provide the community 24/7/365. Telecommunicators come to work everyday and make a difference in our community. Whether it is helping a person in a medical crisis or being on the phone with someone in immediate danger, telecommunicators will be there to make sure that someone is sent to help. Read the full update here.

Construction Begins on New Affordable Housing in Libbytown
The Szanton Company, a Portland-based housing developer, has broken ground on 63 affordable rental apartments on the site of the former West Elementary School Street, in Portland’s Libbytown Neighborhood. To be known as 45 Dougherty Court, the project is the first phase of a larger redevelopment of the site located off Douglass Street. Read the full story here.

Spring Curbside Yard Waste Collection Starts Monday, April 22nd
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.

Crews Working Hard to Cleanup City Following Back to Back Spring Storms
Our Parks, Recreation and Facilities and Public Works crews, in coordination with private contractors, continue to clean up from tree damage resulting from the last two storms. We received over 400 tree damage reports and many of those were large trees or limbs that each took a day or more to remove. Crews have made progress on cleaning up brush and branches, but there is still at least a month of work to do before all debris is removed from the right of way. Please read the full update here.

New Senior Outreach Nursing Program
In December 2023 the Office of Elder Affairs added a Senior Outreach Nursing Program. Two part-time registered nurses are now available to help low-income Portland residents aged 60+ maintain health and independence at home. The program is free to low income Portland seniors who are not eligible for similar at-home support through any other agency or payor. Please call 207-541-6620 to learn more or to make a referral.

Reminder: 2024 P-STEP Application Open
The Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-STEP) provides tax relief to low-income seniors in Portland by providing property tax or rent rebates for eligible applicants. Anyone needing assistance to complete the application may contact the Portland Office of Elder Affairs at 207-541-6620. The deadline for submitting an application for this program is July 31, 2024. Find the application online here or call the Treasury Dept. at 207-874-8853 to request a copy.

Review the Second Wave of ReCode Edits
After reviewing hundreds of public comments on the first wave of changes to the land use code under ReCode, our Planning team has released the second wave of ReCode edits. This second wave represents the sum total of ReCode changes altogether, reflecting the city’s efforts to support housing creation and affordability, climate resilience, complete neighborhoods, transit-oriented development, and more. We will be looking for feedback on this work over the next several months, first online, then through a series of events, including Planning Board meetings in the spring and summer. Take a look at the changes and let us know what you think.

Storm Recovery Loans Available
The U.S. Small Business Administration has loans available to assist with recovery from the back-to-back storms on January 10th and January 13th that brought significant flooding and damage. Homeowners, renters, and businesses located in Portland that were impacted by these storms can apply for low-interest SBA Disaster Loans here.

New Business Recovery Grants, Apply by May 15th
Pandemic relief funding is available to help small business owners in Portland who started their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic (on or after January 1, 2020 and no later than May 11, 2023.). Businesses can request $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000. The application window opened Monday, April 1st and will close Wednesday, May 15th at 11:59 PM. Learn more and apply here.

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.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Riverside Golf Course is now open! Read all the latest updates on programs and more in their March 2024 newsletter. Registration for rack rentals on East End Beach opened April 1st. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, learn the full details here.

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. Recent positions listed: Director of Planning & Urban Development; Director of Health & Human Services; 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. 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.

4/15: NEUCO/Unitil Gas Line Upgrades, Forest Ave + Congress St
This upcoming work replacing gas mains and service lines in Portland started 4/15 and is expected to last two months. Residents and businesses have already been notified with flyers in these areas: Forest Avenue, from 845 Forest Ave to Belmont St. AND Congress Street, from Stevens Ave to Douglas St. Please direct questions to Bob Schnopp at (207) 653-2808 or rschnopp@neuco-inc.com.

4/22 City Council Meeting Agenda Preview

The meeting will be held in-person in Council Chambers and remote via Zoom.

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

Announcements + Proclamations
Announcing ME Historic Preservation Commission's National Register of Historic Places
Proc #19 Recognizing May 2024 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
Proc #20 Declaring May 2, 2024 as the National Day of Prayer 

Appointments Public comment taken
#167 Appointing Wardens and Ward Clerks for the 2024-2025 Election Year
#168 Appointing Election Clerks for 2024 to 2026

Consent Items + 5 Business Licenses Public comment taken
#169 May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025 Friends of Congress Square Park In the Square Festival
#170 Sundays on the Boulevard Festival Days in 2024
#171 June 8, 2024 Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon and 5K Festival
#172 July 27, 2024 22nd Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations

Budget Items Public comment taken
#178 Receiving + Referring to the Finance Committee the Portland Board of Public Education's FY'25 Budget Estimate and Setting a Public Hearing Thereon

Unfinished Business Public comment taken
#153 Approving the Service Contract between the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the City of Portland and Accepting/Appropriating a Pass-through Grant in the Amount of $9,153 to the Lions Club of Peaks Island
#165 Approving the Agreement Between the Maine Department of Transportation, Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System, and Portland RE: Improvements to Canco Road

Orders Public comment on #179 only
#179 Approving Substantial Amendment to Home American Rescue Plan Allocation Plan
#180 Regarding Application to Reclassify 142 Free Street as a Noncontributing Structure in the Congress Street Historic District, FIRST READ 

Amendments FIRST READ only
#181 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 14 RE: Floodplain Management