City News Round Up: Friday, October 4, 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, October 7 at 5PM; read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Tonight is First Friday Art Walk! Download the map here.

10/7-10/11 Traffic Advisory: Congress Street (Between Elm + Temple)
The Portland Water District is scheduled to be doing work on Congress Street (between Elm + Temple) Monday-Friday, 10/7-11, 7 AM-7 PM. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to Federal and then Temple, while westbound traffic will remain open on Congress Street. Please expect delays due to this work; vehicles and pedestrians should avoid the area if possible. The bus stop at this location will also be relocated and has been coordinated with Metro. This work will return Monday-Friday, 10/21-25. Find updates + see the map here.

10/8: Milling to Begin on Preble Street Extension (Forest to Marginal)
Preble Street Extension from Marginal Way to Forest Avenue will be milled on Tuesday, 10/8. There will be No Parking along the entire road starting on Monday, 10/7 for prep work through Tuesday, 10/8.

In-Person Absentee Voting Begins Monday, October 7
In-person early absentee voting for the November 5, 2024, Presidential and Municipal General Elections begins Monday, October 7, 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 through Friday. For those who have requested their absentee ballot sent to them, those will begin going out in the mail on Friday, October 4. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, October 31, unless you have a special circumstance. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 31, only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting. Find answers to all of your voting questions here.
The external ballot drop box will be set up at City Hall and Canco Road and ready to receive completed absentee ballots 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned via mail or the external ballot box outside of City Hall and Canco Road and not to your normal polling place. Due to the high volume of absentee ballots, the City Clerk is asking that residents return their completed and signed absentee ballots to the Clerk's Office as quickly as possible.

Curbside Yard Waste Collection: November 2024
Public Works crews will be collecting throughout the MONTH of NOVEMBER. Please note that the leaf bag collection MAY NOT COINCIDE with the day of your trash & recycling collection. There is no set day of the week that crews will service your location. Unpredictable leaf amounts at the curb, staffing issues, and weather conditions are all obstacles that make it difficult for us to predict the exact timeframe of your collection. Please follow the curbside guidelines found here to help our Public Works team work efficiently and smoothly.

New Round of Job Creation Grants Available
Our Housing and Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for the latest round of job creation grants. The Business Assistance Program for Job Creation (BAP) will provide reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 to for-profit Portland businesses to create net new jobs for low and moderate-income individuals, at $10,000 per full-time job (or two part-time jobs). Applications must be received by Friday, November 15 and applicants will be notified in late December. Find the full details and apply here.

Work With Us! Public Health Director
The City is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Public Health Director, within the Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Public Health. This position is responsible for the overall administration of the City's public health programs, serving as the division's director. Find the full details and apply here.

PortTIX Announces Move To New Location
After almost 30 years operating out of the lobby at Merrill Auditorium, PortTIX—Portland’s trusted local box office—is growing and moving to a new location. The new PortTIX office is located at 400 Congress Street, Suite A, directly across the street from the main entrance to Portland’s City Hall. Hours and methods of operation will be unchanged: ticket sales are available in-person at the new location and via phone Monday through Friday 11 AM-3 PM. Stay tuned to the PortTIX website and social media for updates.

Parking Update: Spring Street
To better assist downtown workers, Spring Street parking meters are now available for 9 hours of time.

10/8: ReCode Final Public Hearing
The final drafts of the land use code and zoning map are available for review on the ReCode website; you can still share your feedback directly with us online or via email: recodeportland@portlandmaine.gov. The final Planning Board Public Hearing will take place on Tuesday, 10/8. 

Join Us at Eggs & Issues on October 10
The Portland Community Chamber of Commerce brings the leaders of Maine's largest city together in conversation on where we are headed next to harness our strengths and overcome obstacles. Join the Portland Mayor, City Manager, and Chief of Police at the next Eggs & Issues event on Thursday, October 10, at 7:00 AM at USM's Hannaford Hall (88 Bedford St. Portland). Register here.

10/17: Community Development Block Grant Pre-Application Meeting
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application window opens on October 21, 2024! A mandatory pre-application meeting for prospective applicants will be on October 17 at 1:00 PM via Zoom. If you intend to apply for funding or want to learn more about the program, your attendance is required in order to review the program eligibility, reporting requirements, and the new online application software. Register here!

10/17: Preliminary Public Meeting, Libbytown Safety + Accessibility Project
There will be an Open House and Formal Preliminary Public Meeting for the Libbytown Safety and Accessibility Project, on Thursday, 10/17 in the Kippy Richardson Conference Room 24 at Portland City Hall. Learn more.

Upcoming “Reforest The City” Tree Talks
Save the dates, 10/15 and 10/29, for upcoming Tree Talks hosted by the West End Neighborhood Association. The talks this fall will focus on action-tree care and what YOU can do to help support our urban canopy in a changing climate. Find the full details here. 

Annual Street Maintenance Parking Restrictions in Effect
Attention residents who live or park on the peninsula! Overnight street maintenance parking restrictions went back into effect on October 1 (daytime also, in some areas). This applies to all citizens who live or park on the peninsula (and Nathan Clifford area). Regulations are in effect annually from October 1 - May 31. Cars not in compliance with City of Portland street maintenance signs are subject to ticketing and towing. Learn more here.

Public Health Vaccination Clinics: October 4 - November 12
In conjunction with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, we’re hosting 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. Find the full list of dates and locations here.

Sharps/Needles on Public Property
Remember, do not pick up any sharps you come across on public property! Please call the Department of Public Works at 207-874-8493 or submit a request through Portland 311 and a trained specialist will be dispatched to pick up the items and dispose of them properly.

Portland Public Health Hosted Free Naloxone Event for Save a Life Day
Last week more than 30 states hosted 300+ free naloxone events for the country’s largest annual free naloxone day to date. Save a Life Day: East covers all the states east of the Mississippi River. Naloxone, more well known by one of its brand names, Narcan, is an easy-to-use nasal spray that works to reverse opioid overdoses. Read the full story here. 

Grants Available for Immigrant-Owned Microenterprises
The Business Hub at the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center is accepting applications for Immigrant Entrepreneur Microgrants. Grants will be for a total of $4000 each and require participation in a series of business skills workshops. Applications are due November 8. Businesses must be owned by low/moderate-income immigrants and the business must be located in Portland. Learn more and apply here. 

Reminder: Appointments Strongly Recommended to Avoid Wait Times
A friendly reminder that appointments are strongly recommended for auto registrations as current wait times for walk-ins have been averaging an hour. Making an appointment will save you time! Walk-ins are accepted as time and resources allow. You can easily book an appointment online. Property tax payments can be dropped off at any time. 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 treasury@portlandmaine.gov.

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. 

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.

• Homestead Exemption Note:  Please note that the Homestead Exemption value this year is $22,500 and not the full $25,000. Because the ratio for assessment of properties for the City changes, due to the market value of properties, municipalities take that ratio off the exemptions amount as well. Last year, the ratio to market value was at 100%. This year, it’s at 90%. 
  • Example:

FY24 (July 2023-June 2024) $25,000 x 1.00 = $25,000 = $360.25 off your bill

FY25 (July 2024-June 2025) $25,000 x .90 = $22,500 (current) = $337.73 off your bill

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. 

City Announces Allowable Rent Increases Per CPI for Calendar Year 2025
Per the 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, the next is on Sunday, October 13, for War of 1812 POWs, 1:00 PM, 1812 Cemetery, Eastern Promenade. Please contact Program Organizer, Larry Glatz, larry.glatz@gmail.com for more information.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Read all the latest updates in the September 2024 newsletter here. 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. 

New! Evergreen Woods Improved Access Trail
Last week was the Portland Trails ribbon cutting and opening of the new Evergreen Woods Improved Access Trail. This newly upgraded trail behind Evergreen Cemetery is designed to provide improved access for all user types, including wheelchairs, strollers, bikes, and more.

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

Update: Western Promenade Drainage Improvements Project
Construction is currently approaching the intersection with Vaughn St and will be working in that intersection for the next 1-2 weeks, before proceeding up the Western Promenade. Vaughn St and Danforth St will remain open to traffic, but drivers are encouraged to drive with caution. Full details. 

Update: Back Cove South Nearing Completion
You may have seen TV news stories recently regarding an update on this project. While the project experienced several geotechnical delays, it will be substantially completed this fall, and fully complete in spring of 2025 when the grass sod is installed on the soccer field.

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

10/7 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

Proclamations + 3 Consent Items
#13 Remembrance of the Atrocities of October 7, 2023
#14 Recognizing October 14, 2024 as Indigenous Peoples' Day
#15 Recognizing October 10, 2024 as Black Brewers Day 

Resolutions, Public comment taken
#2 Return the Two-Way Operation on State and High Streets
#3 Approving Eco Maine Revenue Bond Financing

Orders, Public comment on #61 only (#62 and #63 First Read only)
#61 Approving First Amendment to Stadium Use Agreement for Use and Occupancy of James J. Fitzpatrick Stadium by Hearts of Pine LLC
#62 Appropriating $936,479.26 in Opioid Settlement Funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for Three Opioid Remediation Programs
#63 Appropriating $5,630,000 in Funds for the Kiwanis Pool Replacement Project