City News Round Up: Friday, May 17, 2024
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the May 6 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The City Council meets next on Monday, May 20, find the draft agenda preview at the end of this message. 

2nd Annual Tree Hugging Event at Deering Oaks Park
Join our Parks Division in Deering Oaks Park on Saturday, May 18, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, for their 2nd annual Tree Hugging Event! Hug a tree and celebrate our Forest City with a forest bathing session, meet our City Arborist Mark Reilland, enjoy storytime and more.

5/18: Portland Picks Up, Citywide Trash Cleanup & Festival
The Foundation for Portland Public Schools is spearheading Portland Picks Up, a citywide cleanup, on Saturday, May 18 to pick up litter around schools and their neighborhoods from 9:00-11:00 AM. Celebrate your civic efforts after with a free family festival at Payson Park, 12:00-3:00 PM, with food, games, activities and music from the Maine Academy of Modern Music. 

Portland Fire Department Celebrates National EMS Week May 19-25
Next week is the 50th annual National EMS Week, “Honoring our Past, Forging our Future.” Portland Fire Department, the largest municipal EMS service in Maine, responded to 13,880 emergency medical calls for service in 2023, transporting approximately 10,000 patients. Happy EMS Week to all emergency medical providers, and particularly our hard working and highly proficient City of Portland providers.     

Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon & 5K, Saturday 6/8
The Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland on Saturday, June 8. Please be aware that starting at 2:00 AM various streets will be closed in the Old Port area, emergency no parking zones will go into effect, and passengers on the Casco Bay Ferry Lines will be impacted. For the full road closure information please visit their website here.

5/21: Council Workshop on Housing Development Process
The City Council’s Housing and Economic Development Committee is holding a Zoom workshop to learn more about the housing development process on Tuesday, May 21 at 5:30 PM. Making an impact on the housing affordability crisis was listed as one of the Council’s 2024 goals. Visit portlandmaine.gov/workshop to read the agenda. 

Updated Timeline: FY25 Municipal Budget Process
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 Finance Committee approved the budget at its May 16 meeting. The ⁠City Council will have the first read and public hearing for the budget at the Monday, May 20 meeting. The second read, public hearing, and expected vote will take place at the Monday, June 3 meeting.⁠ Find detailed updates here and see all scheduled meetings here.⁠

In-Person Absentee Voting Now Through June 6: State of Maine Primary
In-person absentee voting for the June 11, 2024 State of Maine Primary Election & School Budget Referendum started Tuesday, May 14 in the State of Maine Room, on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. Regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Previously requested mail absentee ballots began going out in the mail the week of May 13. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, June 6, unless you have a special circumstance. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 6th only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting. Read the full election update here. 

5/20 Public Hearing: Great Diamond Island Ferry Terminal
A public hearing will be held between the MaineDOT and Island Residents to discuss proposed improvements to the Great Diamond Island ferry terminal. The hearing will be Monday, May 20, 6:00 PM at Elwell Hall (1 Crescent Avenue on Great Diamond Island). MaineDOT’s Consultant will present the proposed improvements and take any comments and questions. Email questions to brian.keezer@maine.gov or call (207) 462-0697.

5/21: Tree Talks - West End Neighborhood Association
Join your Portland neighbors in the West End for ReForest the City, a native tree-planting project + educational campaign to spread awareness about the importance of caring for urban trees. The Tuesday, 5/21 event features the Wild Seed Project, 6:30 PM at Reiche School.

5/22: SCORE Maine Free Webinar: Starting Your Own Business
Have you considered starting your own business? SCORE Maine is hosting a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, May 22 at 12:00 PM that will cover what you need to know before launching your own business. Learn more and register here. 

5/23: Downtown Worker Appreciation Day
Stop by Monument Square on Thursday, May 23 between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM for the annual Downtown Worker Appreciation Day! Follow the bubbles to find our Sustainability staff (with big Jenga), chat with our Planning staff about transportation initiatives, and Public Health too. You'll also find FREE iced beverages, massages, locally-made snacks, giveaways, music, lawn games, and a whole lot of thanks. 

5/27: Deering Center Memorial Day Procession & Commemoration
Mayor Dion will be the keynote speaker at the Deering Center Memorial Day Procession & Commemoration on Monday, May 27 at 2:00 PM, on Stevens Avenue in front of Longfellow School. Learn more. The Deering Center parade takes the place of the downtown parade this year. 

May 2024 Portland Bike Month
The Portland City Council proclaimed May 2024 Portland Bike Month at its May 6 City Council meeting. The proclamation recites the many tangible benefits bicycling brings to Portland and those who bicycle. Read the full proclamation and find other great resources about bicycling in Portland at portlandmaine.gov/BikeMonth.

Growing Child Care Grant Program Expanded
City Growing Child Care Grant opportunities have expanded to include a $5,000 grant for existing child care centers in Portland, who serve over 50 children, to aid in the hiring of a new employee. The expansion aims to ease the burden that being understaffed creates and to help keep as many available child care slots open as possible. Learn more here.

Jetport Taxiway A Reconstruction Project Ongoing Through July 31
The Portland International Jetport Taxiway A Reconstruction Project began on April 22 and will continue through July 31. The project requires 100 night closures (10:30 PM - 5:45 AM) of the primary runway, followed by a two week closure in September. The Jetport sent flyers to 37,524 residences to the north and south of the airport since these residences will experience additional noise due to the use of the cross wind north/south runway (18/36) when the primary runway is closed. Learn more. 

𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕒𝕣𝕕, May 5 - September 29
Beginning this Sunday, May 5, through Sunday, September 29, 2024, Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic Sundays only, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic + play! This year Sundays on the Boulevard runs. Street details: Baxter Boulevard closed to traffic from Vannah Ave. to Catafalque Dr. (Payson Park east entrance). Payson Park, west entrance road - from the tip of the Grass Triangle (by the softball field) to Baxter Boulevard.

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.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Read all the latest updates on programs and more in their April 2024 newsletter. Riverton Pool Update:  Funding for the pool repair project was approved by the City Council in March 2024 and the project is expected to be complete in June 2025. Please visit the Aquatics webpage for programs and updates. 

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.

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning!

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects
Visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.

New: NEUCO/Unitil Night Work on Congress Street
Night work (7:00 PM-7:00 AM) is now required on Congress St, from Bradley St to Massachusetts Ave, on the following dates: 5/20-24 and 6/3-21.

Warren Avenue, Hicks to Hemingway Streets
Gorham Sand & Gravel resumes construction this week on Warren Avenue from Hicks to Hemingway Streets; we anticipate the project will be completed towards the end of June. Read the full details. 

Update: Sagamore Village Green Infrastructure Project
Starting the week of 4/28 the contractor will return to complete final landscape restorations and improvements over the next 2 months. Read the full update.

4/15-6/15: NEUCO/Unitil Gas Line Upgrades, Forest Ave + Congress St
Work replacing gas mains and service lines in Portland started 4/15 and is expected to last two months. 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.

5/20 City Council Meeting Agenda Preview

Below is the draft agenda. The final agenda will be published soon. The City Council will conduct this meeting from Council Chambers, 2nd floor of  City Hall. The public may attend in person or watch via livestream. 

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

Proclamations + 5 Consent Items
#28 Recognizing National EMS Week
#29 Recognizing June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month
#30 Recognizing National Public Works Week

Budget Items - School
City Council held a FIRST READ on the FY’25 School Budget at the 5/6 Council meeting + accepted Public Comment. The SECOND READ/ Public Hearing on the School Budget will be held at this 5/20 meeting. Read the School Budget Orders (#186-#192) on the full agenda via portlandmaine.gov/agendas.

Budget Items - Municipal
Public Comment will be taken at this Council Meeting on All Municipal Budget Orders. Council Action on the Municipal Budget will take place on June 3, 2022 at 5:00 PM. Read the Municipal Budget Orders (# 198-# 211) on the full agenda at portlandmaine.gov/agendas.

Communications, No Public comment, no Council action 
#31 Homeless Services Center Expansion
#32 Regarding Housing and Community Development Budget Update -Final FY 2024-2025 US. Dept of Housing and Urban Development Allocations for CDBG, HOME and ESG Programs

Unfinished Business, No public comment
#180 Regarding Application to Reclassify 142 Free Street as a Noncontributing Structure in the Congress Street Historic District (This item received its first reading on April 22, and its second reading with public comment on May 6, at which time it was postponed.)

Orders, Public comment on #212 only, FIRST READ #213-#214
#212 Setting Time for Opening of Polls on June 11, 2024 Re: State and Local Elections
#213 Accepting/Appropriating $10,000 Anonymous Donation to Portland Fire Department for National EMS Week Fund
#214 Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City and Local 740 International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO