City News Round Up:  Friday, September 13, 2024
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the September 4 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next City Council meeting is Monday, September 16 at 5PM, read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

MaineDOT Casco Bay Bridge Project Paving Tonight
Paving continues on the Portland side of the bridge starting at 7PM tonight, at the York/State intersection and the bike lane on the onramp. The onramp will be closed at 7PM and traffic will be detoured with signs and flaggers.

9/14: Portland Jetport Full Scale Training Exercise
The City will host a full-scale training exercise at the Portland International Jetport on Saturday, 9/14, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM; this exercise will test all faculties of the Jetport as a simulated aircraft crash will occur. If you see any emergency response around the Jetport or hospitals, please know it is only a training exercise. Visit portlandmaine.gov/JetportTest to read the full details. 

Portland Housing Authority Celebrates Front Street Ribbon-Cutting
This week Portland Housing Authority, in collaboration with Portland Housing Development Corporation, held a community ribbon-cutting ceremony to proudly celebrate the completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the Front Street redevelopment project. This project was made possible with significant financial support from the City, including Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing, Federal HOME Funds, Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Funds, and the City’s Brownfields grant. 

Planning Board Approval: 482 Congress Street
On September 10, 2024, the Planning Board approved a Major Site Plan application for a change of use at 482 Congress Street from Class-B office to 39 residential units, including 10 workforce housing units. This adaptive reuse project will transform an underutilized office building into much-needed new homes downtown. The five-story building is in close proximity to Monument Square and is very walkable and transit-accessible. 

HUD Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
The City of Portland’s 2023-2024 HUD Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is now available for review and comment online here. This report is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development annually and includes performance and evaluation measures concerning the Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and Emergency Solutions Grant programs.

Final Phase: Jetport Taxiway Reconstruction Project
For the next two weeks the primary runway (11/29) will be closed while they remove two taxiways that tie into the runway and add additional lighting and markings in the runway environment. All air traffic will utilize our north/south runway through September 25. Learn more. 

Portland Seeks the Perfect Tree to Light Up Monument Square
The search is officially underway! Along with Portland Downtown, we are excited to announce a community-wide effort to find the ideal tree to illuminate Monument Square this winter season! Visit portlandMaine.com/tree to learn more + submit your tree by November 1, 2024. The chosen tree will be carefully removed and transported from its current location at no cost to the owner. 

City Seeks New Fire Chief
The City is seeking its next Fire Chief to manage Maine’s largest and most sophisticated Fire/EMS department following the announcement that the current Fire Chief, Keith Gautreau, is retiring by the end of this year. The Fire Chief also serves as a member of the City’s Leadership team helping to run Maine’s largest and most complex municipality. The recruitment brochure can be found here, and qualified individuals can apply directly here. 

FY25 Property Tax Bills Now Available
FY25 property tax bills are now available. Due dates are October 18, 2024 and March 14, 2025. Visit our web portal to view and/or pay your property taxes online. The payment drop box is now in the lobby/main entrance of City Hall (by the greeters desk). Questions regarding payments can be directed to the Treasury office at 207-874-8490. Questions regarding exemptions, valuations, or address changes, contact the Assessor's office at 207-874-8486.

Final Draft Land Use Code + Zoning Map
This week our Planning staff published the final drafts of the land use code and zoning map. This latest round of edits is based on hundreds of comments received from all of you in person at the ReCode Studio event, through our online map and code comment platforms, via emails, meetings, and phone calls - thank you! There’s still time to tell us what you think, dig into the final draft code and map here. Save these final dates for upcoming Planning Board dates: Tuesday, September 17, followed by a public hearing on ReCode on Tuesday, September 24. 

Women Lead Program Accepting Applicants
The Women Lead program at the Immigrant Welcome Center is accepting applicants to  Starting a Small Business, a 6-session course designed for immigrant women who are ready to start or grow their own business. Participants who complete the course with a business plan will be eligible to apply for microgrant funding and digital starter kits to help launch their small business. Applications are due by Wednesday, September 18. Learn more + apply.

Portland Downtown Opens New Seasonal Public Restroom
Portland Downtown proudly announced the opening of a new seasonal public restroom in the Arts District. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the City, marks a significant step in enhancing public restroom access across the downtown area. 

Biodiversity Research Institute Groundbreaking for Portland Expansion
Biodiversity Research Institute, a nonprofit ecological research group based in Portland, celebrated a milestone in its more than 25-year history—the groundbreaking ceremony that begins the expansion of the Institute’s headquarters. Read the full story.

Portland Trails Installs Traffic Calming Demonstration on Diamond Street
Portland Trails and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine have installed temporary features on Diamond St. to slow car traffic and improve pedestrian safety. Learn more + share your feedback.

CMP Announces Completion of Rebuilt Forest Ave Substation
Central Maine Power has officially completed all construction at its newly rebuilt substation on Forest Avenue that serves approximately 5,000 customers in the Marginal Way area, including parts of Maine Medical Center. The project replaced a 50-year-old substation and expanded the facility’s footprint and capacity to serve increased electricity demand on the Portland peninsula. 

City Announces Allowable Rent Increases Per CPI for Calendar Year 2025
Per City ordinance, each September we determine the allowable rent increase per the consumer price index (CPI). Based on the most recent available data from the Bureau of Labor Standards, from July 2023 to July 2024, the CPI-U for the greater Boston metro area advanced 3.5%. Therefore, the Allowable Increase Percentage for calendar year 2025 is 2.5%. Read the full update.

Fall Veteran Memorial Events
Memorial events will be held in Portland this fall for six U.S. Army veterans who died in the War of 1812 and for whom, until now, military markers have not been available: Saturday, September 14, 11:00 AM, Captain Lemuel Bradford, Eastern Cemetery; Sunday, October 13, War of 1812 POWs, 1:00 PM, 1812 Cemetery, Eastern Promenade. Please contact Program Organizer, Larry Glatz, larry.glatz@gmail.com for more information.

Public Health Division Announces Upcoming Vaccination Clinics
In conjunction with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, we’ve announced a series of upcoming influenza (flu) and COVID vaccination clinics open to the public (insured and uninsured). For those with insurance, you must bring your insurance card with you to the clinic. Read the full update here.

Voters Can Now Request Absentee Ballots for November 5 Election
Absentee ballots can be requested online through the State of Maine’s website. Learn other ways to request your ballot on our website here. Ballots will be sent out once they are ready in October. Maine residents can now register to vote, update registration details, or change party status ONLINE! Get started here.

It’s Revaluation Time! Find the Details On New Website
Make sure you complete the revaluation data mailer that was sent out recently. Information about the revaluation process is available on a new website where residents can learn more + view a sample data mailer. Data mailers for condominiums will be sent in the next few weeks. Property owners are encouraged to visit the site and contact the Assessor’s Office with questions. 

Field Work for Business Personal Property Revaluation Begins
Portland business owners should note that the City's Personal Property Revaluation is now underway with field work. KRT Appraisal has been hired to perform a Personal Property Revaluation of all businesses for Fiscal Year 2026. Find the full details here.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
The 2024-2025 Fall/Winter/Spring Recreation Program Guide is now available to the public! The guide has information for all Recreation services the department provides through the Spring of 2025, and registration is now open. Read all the latest updates in the August 2024 newsletter. 

Sundays on the Boulevard Ends September 29
Reminder: Baxter Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic Sundays only, 9AM - 4PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic + play through Sunday, September 29, 2024! Street details: Baxter Boulevard is 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.

Join GPCOG Community Transportation Leaders
GPCOG is seeking passionate people to join their Community Transportation Leaders program! This program is an opportunity for community members to get involved in the transportation planning and decision-making process, and to influence and improve local transportation systems. Direct your questions to mobilityforall@gpcog.org or visit the program website for more information.

We’re Hiring!
Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning! We are hiring across several departments in the city, with a variety of open positions: healthcare roles (RNs/CNAs), trades workers, before + after school recreation counselors, 911 dispatchers, community health workers, and more. Connect with our city recruiter to learn more, or apply today.

The Parks Division is also actively recruiting people to work for our Before & After the Bell program as well as in Aquatics. These are great, flexible positions! Learn more by visiting our jobs portal and help us spread the word.

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects

MDOT Blasting on St. John Street Bridge
MDOT is working with paint contractor, Panther, to blast paint off the bridge girders; this work is extremely loud and may disrupt residents. The first day shift will be Saturday, 8/24, starting at 7AM ending at 7PM. This work schedule is subject to change, please check for updates on our website here.  

Ongoing: Western Promenade Drainage Improvements Project
Residents were notified by mail of this construction anticipated to begin during the week of June 17 and scheduled to be substantially completed by 10/31/24. Read full details. Starting on Wednesday, 7/31, the Western Promenade Roadway from Bowdoin to Vaughan Streets will be closed to local traffic only.

Visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for links to all the most recent DPW project updates, or find all paving updates here.

9/16 City Council Meeting Agenda Preview

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

Special Meeting - Corporator of the Portland Development Corporation, Public comment taken
#49 Amending Portland Development Corporation's Business Assistance Program for Job Creation Guideline
#50 Authorizing Participation in the Maine Funding Network Program Hosted by the Finance Authority of Maine
#51 Appointing Directors to Board of Portland Development Corporation
#52 Appointing Directors to Board of Portland Fish Pier Authority 

Proclamations
#8 Celebrating Portland Symphony Orchestra's 100th Anniversary Season
#9 Recognizing Together Reaching Unity (TruSports) for Commitment to the Youth of Our Community
#10 Recognizing September 15-October 15, 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month
#11 Recognizing September 30 as National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding School
#12 Recognizing September 23-29, 2024 as Diaper Need Awareness Week

Appointments + 3 Consent Items, Public comment taken
# 53 Appointing Members to Various Boards & Committees 

Communications, No Public comment, No Council action
#2 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for HUD-funded Programs 

Unfinished Business, Public comment taken
#45 Appropriating $1,080,000 from Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund to YFO Resource Hub LP RE: 337 Cumberland Avenue
#46 Approving Amendment to the 337 Cumberland Avenue Affordable Housing Development and Tax Increment Financing District RE: 337 Cumberland Avenue
#47 Approving Amended Credit Enhancement Agreement, Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing District RE: 337 Cumberland Avenue
#48 Accepting/Appropriating $372,000 United States Department of Justice Assistance Grant for Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit

Orders, First Read only, No Public comment
#57 Authorizing Appropriation of $250,000 as Local Match for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Application for Design Phase of the Franklin Street Project