City of Portland Alerts

City News Round Up: Friday, April 24, 2026

City News Round Up: Friday, April 24, 2026 

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Council, Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the April 13 City Council meeting. The next meeting is Monday, April 27, at 5:00 PM; read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Join us! The Great Portland Pick Up is Tomorrow
Join your neighbors for a fun morning of giving back and helping Portland shine! The Portland Parks Conservancy and the City's Sustainability Office are hosting a citywide cleanup event, The Great Portland Pick Up, on Saturday, April 25, from 10 AM–12 PM, at eighteen locations across Portland. No need to sign up, and cleanup supplies & refreshments will be provided.

National Drug Take Back Day on April 25
The Police Department will participate in the DEA National Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM - 2 PM. Drop-off will take place on the patio of police station headquarters at 109 Middle Street. This event provides a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

Sundays on the Boulevard is Back! May 3 - September 27
Starting next Sunday, May 3, 2026, Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrians, and play! This year Sundays on the Boulevard runs through Sunday, September 27, 2026.⁠ Street Details: Baxter Boulevard from Vannah Ave to Catafalque Drive (Payson Park east entrance), and the Payson Park west entrance road from the tip of the grass triangle to Baxter Boulevard shall be closed to traffic from 9 AM to 4 PM every Sunday during this time. Read the Proclamation from the March 16, 2026 City Council meeting.

Spring Curbside Yard Waste Collection ⁠Begins Monday, April 27
Annual spring curbside collection of yard waste will start on Monday, April 27, and continue through Friday, May 8. Leaves must be in large, paper biodegradable leaf bags. Please do not place bags curbside until the collection period begins, to avoid interfering with winter cleanup operations. Once collection begins, bags can remain curbside regardless of the weather or your trash collection day. Yard waste curbside collection MAY NOT coincide with your weekly 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 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.

Portland Harbor CAD Cell Project Wins EBC Collaboration Award
We're thrilled to share that the Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc (EBC) awarded the Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration to the Portland Harbor CAD Cell Project! It was a true partnership to get this project off the ground and make it a success this season. Congratulations to all of the award recipients! 

Police Department Launches Constable Program
The Portland Police Department is proud to announce the launch of its new Constable Program, an initiative designed to enhance safety, engagement, and stewardship throughout the city’s downtown, parks, and public spaces. The program reflects our continued commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening community trust, and preserving the City’s vibrant network of parks and public spaces.

2026 National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24
We’re honoring National Work Zone Awareness Week this week, held each spring to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones. Since 1999, the Federal Highway Administration has worked with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Traffic Safety Services Association to coordinate and sponsor the event. 

Share Your Input! Future of "Midtown" Properties in Bayside
We are seeking community input on the future of four City-owned parcels in the Bayside neighborhood, collectively known as the "Midtown properties." Before these sites are marketed for potential sale, officials are inviting the public to share their vision through an online survey and at a public meeting on April 29, 4-7PM at City Hall, Kippy Richardson Conference Room 24. 

New: Let's Connect Greater Portland Podcasts
Don't miss these two latest podcasts: "Tight Budgets. Tight Choices" - Portland Mayor Mark Dion and regional mayors come together to talk through the financial challenges facing their communities; "Is an ADU right for you?" - Matt Grooms, City Deputy Planning Director, discusses all you want to know about ADUs with other local experts.

Inclusionary Zoning Analysis Now Available
The Inclusionary Zoning Study for the City of Portland is now available on our website. The study, prepared by CZB, LLC, was commissioned by the City to better understand the efficacy of its inclusionary zoning policy.

Jetport Starts Using New Approach
This week the Portland International Jetport announced that as of April 16, the Federal Aviation Administration published a new approach to PWM that will keep more aircraft over the water when approaching from the east. 

Community Composting Program - Take our Survey
We want to hear your thoughts on Portland's Community Composting program! Please take a moment to complete this survey by June 2, 2026.

City Manager Presents FY27 Recommended Budget
City Manager Danielle West presented her FY27 recommended budget to the City Council at its April 13 meeting. The proposed budget includes an estimated 4.2% tax rate increase. The Finance Committee has now begun its review before the budget goes before the Council for approval. Two public hearings will be held at the May 18 and June 1 Council meetings.

Help Serve Your City - We’re Seeking Volunteers!
The City Clerk's office is seeking applications for various board and committee positions. Find the full position descriptions, and learn how to apply on our website; applications are due Thursday, May 14.⁠

Request Absentee Ballots for June 9 Election
Voters can now request their absentee ballots for the June 9, 2026, municipal election. Visit our website to request a ballot online and learn other ways to request a ballot. Ballots will be sent out once they are ready in May. Learn more about Elections & Voting in Portland. 

Commemorating National Crime Victims’ Week
The Portland Police Department and Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office commemorated national crime victims' week by hosting a press conference and community gathering on April 21 focused on resources available to victims of crime in southern Maine. 

Envisioning the Future of James A. Banks, Sr. Portland Expo
We’re working to envision the future of the James A. Banks, Sr. Portland Exposition Building (the Expo). After 110 years of service, the facility is now the oldest operating municipal arena in the U.S. and requires significant investment to meet modern safety and accessibility standards. The City Council began discussions regarding next steps, including whether or not to renovate or replace the Expo, at its Housing & Economic Development Committee meeting on April 21. 

Do You Rent in Portland? 
Find out if your rental unit is covered by Rent Control and what your past rent amounts have been. Check your rent information by visiting portlandmaine.gov/RentHistory. You’ll see whether your unit is a rent controlled unit plus your base rent, past rent, and any banked rent. Rent increases for 2026 can be increased by 2.2% (based on the Consumer Price Index). For new tenants, landlords may also add 5% of the base rent. If a landlord didn’t take the full allowed increases in past years, they may apply that banked rent or unused amount in 2026. Rent for a controlled unit can’t go up more than 10% in a 12-month period.

Next “Coffee with a Cop” May 5 at Portland Public Library
The Portland Police Department, in partnership with the Portland Public Library, will host “Coffee with a Cop” on May 5, and June 2 from 10:15–11:00 AM at the Library’s downtown branch. “Coffee with a Cop” brings officers and community members together, over coffee, to talk, ask questions, and get to know one another in an informal setting. For more information, please contact Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@portlandmaine.gov.

2025 Health & Human Services Annual Report
Our Health & Human Services Department released its 2025 Annual Report to share how its work is enhancing the health and well-being of Portland's residents. We hope you will take a few moments to look over the report and learn about their impressive work. 

New Infant/Child CPR Class - May 7
Learn life-saving skills for infants and children (under age 8) from Portland Public Health's certified instructors. Free class offered May 7 from 4:30-6 PM for parents and caregivers. Spots are limited! Register by May 1, 2026.

Reiche Parent Cafe is BACK Through July
New and expecting parents are invited to Portland Public Health's free play group at Reiche Community Center. Caregivers of children ages 0-5 are invited! Let your children play while you connect with other caregivers.

Creative Portland Announces 9th Juried Art Exhibition
Eighteen local Maine artists from the Greater Portland area have been selected for Creative Portland’s ninth juried art exhibition, Resistance, which will open to the public during the First Friday Art Walk on May 1, 2026 and run through April 2027, Monday through Thursday, from 10AM-4PM and every First Friday thereafter, unless noted otherwise. 

We’re Hiring! Summer Pool Staff
Be a part of the inaugural season at the brand new Rising Eddy Community Pool. Work with us as a Seasonal Lifeguard or Pool Guest Service Attendant. We're also offering Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Courses to get you certified just in time! Bonus: Course participants hired as a Lifeguard by the City are eligible for full reimbursement of the course fee upon completion of 200 hours of work as a Lifeguard within the first year of employment!

Spring Street Sweeping is Underway
Happy spring! Street sweeping is underway and will be ramping up over the next several weeks. In order for this work to be effective and done by the end of May, we ask for your compliance with parking restrictions. These parking regulations are in effect annually from October 1 to May 31. Find parking restrictions by area and to try our web app for an estimated timeframe of when the City's sweepers will be in your neighborhood. On peninsula: Please help our operations team and follow the street maintenance parking restrictions (overnight & daytime, check your zone) to avoid tickets or towing. ⁠Street sweeping is a City regulatory requirement; it reduces water pollution (by removing salt/sand), and prevents materials from clogging our sewer/storm drain systems. ⁠

Food Business Bootcamp Starts April 30
The Women's Business Center at CEI will host a free, 6-week, in-person course for aspiring food entrepreneurs. Classes will take place every Thursday starting April 30, culminating with a full day ServSafe Course and Exam on June 4. 

Community Survey Results Available for Review
Our community survey results are now available for review! The survey, conducted in late 2025, provided an opportunity for Portland residents to share their feedback and insights regarding City programs and services. Watch a presentation about the results.

Lambert Woods Housing Cooperative
This North Deering housing co-op is taking reservations now for move-in Spring 2027. Monthly expenses, including utilities, are: $1,750 for 1 Bedroom, $2,150 for 2 Bedroom, $2,750 for 3 Bedroom -plus $5,000 share cost. 

P-STEP Applications Now Available
Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-STEP) applications have been mailed to those who qualified last year and are now available on our website via an online fillable form, a PDF fillable and printable form, and in-person at the Treasury Department. Please call our Treasury staff with questions at 207-874-8490.

Public Works Updates

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates


We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments, 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. Come make a difference with us! Our wellness benefits are award winning.

April 27 City Council Meeting - Agenda Preview
Visit our agenda portal to find the full meeting details. 

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

Annual Meeting - Corporator of the Portland Fish Pier Authority

Proclamations
#27 Recognizing May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Appointments and 5 Consent Items(Public comment taken)
#184 Appointing Members to the Civilian Police Review Board

Communications (No public comment, no Council action)
#14 Diane Herman Appointed to Civilian Police Review Board

Unfinished Business (Public comment taken except #161, #162)
#9 Adopting FY '26-'27 Annual Action Plan including Appropriations for Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs and Certifications Pertaining Thereto

#161 Appropriating Bond Proceeds/Other Funds for City's FY2027 Capital Improvement Program

#162 Authorizing General Obligation Bonds to Finance Portion of the City's Fiscal Year FY27 Capital Improvement Program

#179 Appropriating 10.1 Million Dollars from Jetport Unrestricted Funds to Commence Design on Phase 3 Parking Garage and Improve and Expand a Public Surface Parking Lot at the Portland International Jetport

#180 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 2 RE: Immigration Enforcement

#181 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 14 RE: Definition of Main Entrance for Entertainment Businesses in B-3 and WCZ Zones

#182 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 14 RE: Large Theater and Performance Hall Dispersal Requirements

#183 Terminating Moratorium on Theater/Performance Hall Projects with Capacity Exceeding 2,000 People in the City Established by Order 9-25/26 and Extended by Order 131-25/26 

Past Alerts