City News Round Up: Friday, August 19, 2022
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read the recap of the August 8 City Council meeting here. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas.  

Monday, August 22: Mayor's Monthly Zoom
Join Mayor Kate Snyder for her next monthly Zoom chat on Monday, August 22 at 3:00 PM. This open Q&A is an opportunity for residents to learn more about recent updates and discuss any issues.⁠ Find the Zoom link via our website.

Police Chief Search - Request for Proposals
We are seeking proposals from experienced executive search firms to assist in all aspects of the recruitment process for our next Police Chief. Preferred consultants will demonstrate familiarity with qualifications required of high level law enforcement leaders, and will propose a plan for scheduling and conducting a national search. Find more information about this process here. 

City Begins Search for First JDEI Director
We’re pleased to announce that we are currently looking for our first Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JDEI) Director. Reporting to the City Manager, the JDEI Director will lead the City’s first Office of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As part of that role, this position will also act as an advisor on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusive practices throughout the city of Portland, both within City government and throughout the broader community. Learn more about the JDEI position.

ARPA Funds Pre-Application Process Ends Today at 4PM
We extended the pre-application process for the second round of ARPA funds. There is approximately $11.2M in funding that is anticipated to be available to businesses, nonprofits, and governmental entities. This is in addition to the 19 projects approved after the first participatory ARPA funding process in November 2022.The pre-application is due August 19, 2022 at 4:00 PM. Find the application and learn more: portlandmaine.gov/ARPA. 

ARPA Funds Survey: The public funding survey for the remaining American Rescue Act (ARPA) funds available to the City continues - please share your input! The survey closes today, August 19 at 5:00 PM. The new survey results will be presented to both the Finance Committee and City Council later this summer. For more ARPA information and a complete list of projects that have received funding, please visit: portlandmaine.gov/arpa.

Recreation Programmers Needed for After School Program
Do you have excellent customer service skills and enjoy working with children? Our Recreation team has an opportunity for you to engage with the community through a variety of recreational activities. This position is responsible for monitoring and engaging with program participants in the After the Bell Program. The After School Program schedule begins in late August, and the hours vary to include the After School program: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM (M-F). CEBA Union – Grade 4 - $16.67/hour. Learn more about this position and apply here.

Last Call: Apply for City Boards & Committees by Monday, 8/22
Ready to get involved and help shape your city? Boards, commissions, task forces, and committees are an important part of Portland’s government. We’re looking for volunteers to help serve on several of those boards and committees. Find application information and read the full list of open seats on our website, or call 207-874-8677. Applicants will be contacted for interviews; the deadline to apply is Monday, August 22.

Survey: Portland Public Library wants to hear from you!
Can you give the Portland Public Library five minutes of your time and feedback? Please take their quick survey here. Don't use the Library? That's okay! They would love  to hear from everyone in our community. The survey is open through Monday, August 31 at 9AM.

Redlon Woods Expanded in the Rosemont Neighborhood
We're happy to announce the Land Bank Commission has added a new parcel of land to expand the wooded area known as Redlon Woods in the Rosemont neighborhood. Maintaining this open space will contribute to healthy forest, wetlands and most importantly climate mitigation benefits. Read the full story of the expansion here.  
The Land Bank also added a new parcel of land to expand the Riverton Trolley Park this month. Read more about the Riverton Trolley Park expansion here.

Vital Records Can Now Be Requested Online
You can now request vital records online and have them directly mailed to you without coming into City Hall! Record requests will be fulfilled within two business days and mailed to the address provided. You must possess a valid U.S. Driver's License to order through this service. Learn more on our website via the City Clerk.

November 2022 Election: Request Your Absentee Ballot Online
The online portal is now open to request absentee ballots for the November 8 General Election, visit portlandmaine.gov/absentee. Please note the ballots themselves won't be available until 30 days before Election Day (November 8, 2022). Residents may also call the City Clerk's office to request a ballot: Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM: 207-874-8677. Please visit portlandmaine.gov/elections for additional information regarding the upcoming election. \

Portland Bikeshare 
Our first ever bikeshare program launched this week! In partnership with Tandem Mobility, the initial introduction of the program includes 50 bikes, with additional bikes to be added to the fleet over the following weeks. Residents and visitors will enjoy convenient access to 150 traditional geared bikes and 50 electric assist bikes staged at over 40 parking hubs throughout the peninsula. Learn more about Portland Bikeshare here, and download the app here. 

Parking Garage Availability
Monthly parking is now available at both the Elm St and Spring St garages for $140 per month. Learn more via our Parking Department here, or call 207-874-8443.
 

Community Note: Casco Bay Lines Temporary Schedule Changes
Please be aware, Casco Bay Lines has made modifications to their downbay sailing schedule beginning on August 13, 2022, for the remaining three weeks of the summer season. Visit their website for the full update.

Update: New Downtown Public Restrooms
Two of three new public restrooms have been installed! There is one at the Fish Pier on Commercial Street and now one at the corner of Monument Way (should be fully open now after awaiting final fixtures) and Free Street. The third one, which will be located at the Central Fire Station, (on Pearl St, between Congress and Federal) will be installed later in August.

Parks and Recreation Updates

Don’t miss this great story in the Portland Press Herald featuring our Park and Play program. Learn more about these updates, and more,  via the July Parks and Recreation newsletter.

Help Us Protect and Grow Our Canopy Cover
Despite a labor shortage and other logistical challenges, our Forestry Team planted 150 trees city-wide this season! (Read more in the Letter from our Parks Director.) Can you help us protect and grow our canopy cover? If you have recently planted a tree in front of your home or business, give the young tree about 5 gallons of water each week. Water directly over the root zone, and the slower you water, the better so the water has a chance to soak in. Our crews will continue with their regular watering of each and every tree for two years after planting, the additional weekly watering will help the young trees reach maturity. 

Work With Us!
We currently have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. 

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects

Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for information links to all the most recent DPW project updates. The current and ongoing paving projects have been updated on our website here

Updated: Paving at 815 Forest Avenue, Tuesday 8/23

Reminder: Alder Street Changed To Southbound

Veranda Street Bridge Update
8/22-8/23: Shaw Brothers will be paving Veranda Street and the ends of Wordsworth, Olympia, and Oregon streets, as well as the on and off ramps. Extended delays should be anticipated between 8AM-5PM and possibly into Wednesday, 8/24. Read the full details here. 

Forest Ave. and Avalon Rd Sewer Separation Starts August 15, 6 weeks
Construction is anticipated to begin the week of August 15 on the Forest Ave. at Avalon Road sewer separation project for six weeks. Read the full traffic alert here.

Forest Ave: August Proposed Paving
MaineDOT is preparing to pave Forest Avenue from Congress Street to Park Avenue. This street is currently proposed for repair and resurfacing during the 2022 construction season. We will share updates with dates as they are received. 

Project Update: Fore Street/Eastern Promenade Sewer Separation Project
Read the full project update here.