Meetings & Agendas

Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the May 19 City Council meeting. The next City Council meeting is Monday, June 2, at 5:00 PM, find the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Tonight is First Friday Art Walk! Download the map.

Tomorrow! 10th Annual Walk the Working Waterfront 
Please join us for the 10th annual “Walk the Working Waterfront,” a free event on Saturday, May 31, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM along Commercial Street in Portland. From Becky’s Diner to the Maine State Pier, attendees are encouraged to explore the protected piers and wharves of Commercial Street. 

Help Us Celebrate Clean Water Week June 1-7
We are getting ready to celebrate Clean Water Week, June 1-7! Help our Water Resources team spread the word about the importance of clean water and celebrate those doing their part in keeping our local waters clean. Join us at these events with local organizations.

Natural Helpers 2025 Cohort Celebrates Graduation
Our Office of Economic Opportunity is proud to celebrate the graduation of 13 fellows from the 2025 Natural Helpers program with Mayor Mark Dion at their graduation tomorrow, May 31! These trusted community leaders spent four months learning about local resources- from healthcare to state policy- while receiving mentorship, volunteering, and earning a leadership certificate from USM. They each aimed to impact five people and teach ten, and have far exceeded those goals. 

City-Sponsored Affordable Condos at Dougherty Commons 
Maine Cooperative Development Partners is proud to announce that applications will open June 18, 2025, for 20 new affordable condominium homes at Dougherty Commons, located at 57 & 65 Dougherty Court in Portland, Maine. This high-quality housing opportunity offers energy-efficient, zero energy ready homes at prices accessible to working Mainers earning up to 100% of Area Median Income. Applications will be open through July 7, or until the first 200 applications are made. 

UPDATED Request For Proposals - Additional Funding, Affordable Housing
The City and Cumberland County HOME Consortium has received $2,041,266.00 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan to address homelessness and housing instability. These HOME-ARP funds will support the development of affordable rental housing for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We’re excited to announce an updated Request for Proposals for projects that will create safe, stable, and affordable homes for those who need them most. We invite developers, nonprofits, and other eligible applicants to apply! Visit our HOME-ARP website to learn more.

Great Progress on Portland's New Outdoor Community Pool!
The Portland Parks Conservancy's campaign to help build a replacement for the Kiwanis Pool crossed the $1 million mark earlier this month! Less than $160,000 remains to reach the finish line. Learn more and donate here. A groundbreaking event to celebrate the project and campaign will be held next Thursday, June 5 at 11:00 AM.

City Announces Selection of New IT Director
Portland City Manager Danielle West is pleased to announce that she has selected Phil Doughty to serve as the City’s Information Technology (IT) Director. Read the full update. His selection will go before the full City Council for approval at its June 2 meeting.

Revaluation Notices Distributed to Portland Property Owners
Our Assessor's Office has distributed revaluation notices to property owners this week, marking a key step in our Revaluation Project. Residents should receive these notices by mail in the coming days. Property owners can review their new values online. 

New property values will be used for the Fiscal Year 2026 tax bills, expected in early September. Please note that the tax rate will likely be adjusted downward due to the overall increase in taxable value. The revaluation does not generate additional revenue for the City; it redistributes the tax burden based on current property values. 

In-Person Absentee Voting Ends Thursday, June 5
In-person early absentee voting for the June 10, 2025, Municipal Election is happening now in the State of Maine Room, adjacent to the City Clerk’s Office, on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. Regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, June 5, unless you have a special circumstance. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 5, only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting. Visit portlandmaine.gov/absentee to learn more. 

Street Closures: Old Port Half Marathon & 5K, Saturday, June 7
The Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland on Saturday, 6/7. 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. Find the full road closure details.

New Parks Youth Mentoring Program Thanks to Grant Funding 
We're excited to announce that our Parks Division has started a new youth mentoring program that serves youth who are living in communities impacted by substance misuse. The City received roughly $74,000 in grant funds from the National Recreation and Park Association to pay for additional staff, translation costs and to purchase an evidence-based curriculum that has been used to build a structured positive youth mentoring program at East End Elementary School. 

1. The 2024 City of Portland Housing Report has been released and shows strong housing production in 2024, building on similar success in 2023. There have been more housing units produced in the last two years in Portland than in any year in the prior decade. Read the 2024 report and past reports here.

• Take Our Survey! Reimagining Franklin Street
  Visit reimaginingfranklin.me to review the materials from the April 17 Open House, take our new survey, and sign up for the project updates mailing list.
   
• “Winged Kelp” Temporary Art Coming Soon to City Hall
  On March 25, 2025, a Temporary Art Review Panel approved a new TEMPOart commission - “Winged Kelp." This installation will be coming to City Hall in June with an opening reception planned for June 12. Artist Gillian Christy hopes to encourage us to think about Maine’s environment and the essential role seaweed plays in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

First Hummingbird Grant Recipient Announced
Congratulations to Zagon Beauty, owned by Darious Zagon, the first recipient of our inaugural Hummingbird Grant! This new grant will provide $1,000 each year to a Portland cosmetology business in honor of Shahnaz Mahager, an immigrant entrepreneur. The grant is made possible through a generous donation from Shahnaz's family and friends.

Spring Cleaning, But Make It Social! 
During the months of May and June, three separate Portland neighborhoods will host “Yard Sale Trails”: day-long events where households throughout a neighborhood hold yard sales at the same time, and visitors can follow a map to go from one to the next. Neighbors in Libbytown will hold theirs on Saturday, 5/31 (rain date: 6/1), and Munjoy Hill will hold theirs on Saturday, 6/7 (rain date: 6/8).

6/3: Free Workshop "So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur"
This one-time workshop for immigrant women who want to explore entrepreneurship will take place Tuesday, 6/3, 3-5PM, at 24 Preble Street, 3rd floor. Topics to be covered: Steps to starting a business, how to develop a strong business idea, and how to know if you are ready to be an entrepreneur. Learn more and register. 

Meet Our April 2025 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Becky Masele, our April 2025 Employee of the Month! Becky is a Senior Human Services Counselor in our Health & Human Services Department and is recognized for her exemplary teamwork and strong leadership skills. Becky goes above and beyond every day; she is driven and dependable. Staff express their appreciation and gratitude for her dedication to the program, to her team, and to the guests at 166 Riverside. Becky, you are truly an asset to the Health & Human Services Department and to the City, thank you!

New Ventures Maine - Summer Business Assistance Classes
Learn more about these online classes covering a variety of business-related topics from New Ventures Maine, including their 8-week hybrid summer "Venturing Forth" covering how to start a new business.

City Elder Affairs, Adult Day Program - Openings Now Available
Our Office of Elder Affairs provides a much-needed respite for family caregivers by providing safe daytime supervision and care to older adults with cognitive and physical health challenges. Now accepting new clients! Learn more about how this program can support you and your loved one by calling 207-541-6619 or find more details on our website.

New Pine Tree License Plates Replace Chickadee Plate
As of May 1, the new Pine Tree/ No-Tree plates are being distributed. Chickadee plates will no longer be issued. Plate exchanges with the NEW design will occur during your normal registration time frame. You do not need to come in before your registration is due. If you have questions, please visit the Secretary of State’s website or email them at platereserve.bmv@maine.gov. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Payson Park Courts: New SmartAccess System Starts June 2
• Read about our sustainable solution for EAB-affected trees.
• Party in the Park on June 18: The Parks Commission is holding the annual community gathering, Party in the Park, on June 18 at Payson Park from 4:30-6:00 PM. There will be music, food trucks, and a variety of activities for community members. Several community groups will have tables to share information with attendees, and we’d be happy to host interested park Friends Groups. Please email Commissioner Donna Gartland at donnagartland@gmail.com.
• Read all the latest updates in their MAY 2025 newsletter or subscribe. We’re hiring for seasonal positions now! 
• Closed Courts: As of Monday, 4/21, the basketball courts at Lyman Moore School and the tennis courts at Talbot School are currently closed for renovations until the end of June. 
• Riverton Trolley Bike Park We celebrated the opening of Riverton Trolley Bike Park with a ribbon cutting on May 14. Thanks to a partnership between the City, Portland Parks Conservancy, and local supporters, the park has been turned into a vibrant hub for biking and community connection. 
• Sundays on the Boulevard:  now through September 28, Baxter Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic, and play!

Public Works Updates

• Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.
• Update: Hersey St Sewer Separation Project, Clifton St. Road Closure Starts Tuesday, 5/27         
• Update: Deering Ave Sewer Extension, 5/20-5/30, Pitt Street Closure
• Read a Back Cove South Update.
• Survey Time: GPCOG Road Safety Improvement Projects: The Greater Portland Council of Governments is launching a series of low-cost demonstration road safety improvement projects in key areas identified through the Vision Zero Greater Portland action plan and needs your input. Take their survey! The project will include temporary installations that aim to improve pedestrian crossing safety, limit unsafe maneuvers, and reduce vehicle speeds in key high-risk areas. 

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments in the city, with a variety of open positions: healthcare roles (RNs/CNAs), trades workers, before and after school recreation counselors, lifeguards, 911 dispatchers, community health workers, and
more. Recently posted: Payroll Manager, Certified Code Enforcement Officer/Housing Safety, Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher). Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.
 

June 2 City Council Meeting Agenda Preview

The City Council will conduct this meeting from the Council Chambers, 2nd floor of City Hall. The public may attend in person or watch online. 

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

Special Meeting - Portland Development Corporation (Public comment taken)
#223 Amending Corporation Bylaws 
#224 Approving Storefront Improvement Revolving Loan Program + Guidelines 

Proclamations

#42 Recognizing June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth
#43 Recognizing June 2025 as Immigrant Heritage Month

Appointments + 3 Consent Items (Public comment taken)
#225 Appointing Phil Doughty as Information Technology Director

Budget Items - Orders # 202-216 (Visit portlandmaine.gov/agendas to read the Orders in full.)

The First Read and Public Comment of all Municipal Budget Orders took place May 19. Staff recommends postponing the second read, Public Comment, and Council Action of all Municipal Budget Orders to June 23. The City Council Finance Committee voted on May 15, 2025 to recommend passage of FY26 City Manager's Recommended Budget (Passed (3-0).

Communications (No Public comment, no Council action)
#12 Update on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development FY 25-26 Community Development Block Grant, HOME and Emergency Solutions Grant Program Allocations
#13 Rent Board Annual Report

Unfinished Business (Public comment taken)
#161 Accepting and Appropriating a $96,400 State of Maine Community Paramedicine Grant for the Portland Fire Department
#220 Traffic Schedule Amendment RE: Parking Reassignments on Pearl Street and Cotton Street
#221 Appropriating $11.5 Million from Jetport Unrestricted Funds

Orders (First Read only)
#229 Accepting/Appropriating $3,000 Donation from Zoll Medical Corporation to Portland Fire Department for the National EMS Week Fund
#230 Accepting/Appropriating $7,000 Donation from the Masonic Grant Lodge of Maine Portland Chapter for a Lucynt Machine at the Barron Center