City News Round Up: Friday, November 1, 2024
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the October 21 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, November 4, at 5 PM, find the agenda preview at the end of this message.

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

Community Partners to Operate Warming Shelter in Portland this Winter
Portland will have a warming shelter in place this winter thanks to a partnership between First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church and Commonspace. City staff facilitated and assisted with the response, which resulted in the warming shelter, and the two community organizations have partnered to provide the low-barrier warming shelter for the 2024-2025 winter season. The shelter will be funded by Maine State Housing Authority, operated by Commonspace staff, and located at First Parish Church at 425 Congress Street. Read the full update.

Reminder! Curbside Yard Waste Collection November 1-30
This year our Public Works crews will be collecting leaf bags November 1-30. 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.

VOTE: Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day 🗳️
Make a plan to vote! Polls will be open from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM on Election Day; all polling locations are ADA compliant. Click here to view sample ballots and find answers to all of your voting questions. Portland residents can register to vote on Election Day at your polling location; citizens must provide proof of identity and residency. Metro bus rides are also FREE on Election Day! Use this map to find out the best route to take transit to and from your polling place.

Please Return Your Absentee Ballots ASAP
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. Our secure external ballot drop boxes are set up at City Hall (Myrtle Street side) and at 212 Canco Road and are 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 via mail or via one of our two ballot boxes, and NOT to your normal polling place.

Upcoming City Hall Closure
Portland City Hall and city offices will be closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Trash, recycling and leaf pick up will continue as normal. 

New Lead Abatement Grant Awarded to the City of Portland
The City has been awarded $3,367,960 in HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant funding, read the full update here. The award will allow the Lead Safe Housing Program to continue to address lead and other housing hazards in 110 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The program works collaboratively with Maine’s CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and Portland Public Health to reach targeted populations. 

Starting Soon - Free CEI Child Care Start-Up Training
Free training starts soon through the Child Care Business Lab, a program offered by Brunswick-based CEI that has helped 40 new child care businesses to start in the last few years. This training is open to all Mainers interested in opening either a child care in their home or in a facility outside their home. The Child Care Business Lab integrates small business start-up education with child care management & coaching. Everyone who joins will learn how to write policies, create a business plan, create a financial forecast, apply for loans and much more. 

Reminder: Through the Growing Child Care Grant, Portland childcare businesses can receive grants of up to $15,500 for start-up costs associated with the opening of a home-based childcare business. Existing childcare businesses that serve more than 50 children can receive grants of up to $5,000 to hire new staff, and existing childcare businesses of any size can receive up to $11,000 for existing childcare businesses to expand and grow their business, including home-based, out-of-school (before and after school), and centers. Learn more or apply here.

Annual District Meetings Ongoing - District 3 Next on Thursday, 11/7
Annual District Meetings started last week with the next taking place on Thursday, 11/7 with District 3. Mayor Dion, City Councilors, City Manager Danielle West, and City staff will be available to discuss neighborhood issues and answer questions from the public. ⁠These meetings are a perfect opportunity to provide feedback and discuss the issues that matter to you in our city. Learn your district and find meeting locations, agendas, remote participation links + interpretation services on our website.⁠ New this year:  Child care will also be provided at the in-person meetings; details will be shared at the above link when finalized.

11/8 Coffee & Climate: The Present and Future of Transit in Our Region
Join this chat hosted by One Climate Future on Friday, 11/8 at 9AM to learn about and discuss current initiatives for the future of transit in our region. The team will be joined by Greater Portland Metro staff, as well as Regional Transportation Planners from the Greater Portland Council of Governments. Register here.

11/9: Pumpkin-Cycle With Us! 🎃
Don’t throw your jack-o-lantern in the trash or in the woods, bring it to Pumpkin-Cycle instead! Come chuck your slumpin' pumpkins in the Payson Park Little League Parking Lot on Saturday, 11/9, from 10AM-1PM. We'll make sure the pumpkins get properly composted and don't go to waste. Pumpkin Cycle is a free, kid-friendly event; bring as many pumpkins (and gourds) as you want! 🍩  The Eighty-8 Donut truck will also be there serving hot donuts.

11/12: Final Public Health Vaccination Clinics
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.

11/12: Workshop for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
The Business Hub at the Immigrant Welcome Center invites immigrant entrepreneurs to attend a free workshop focused on Basic Bookkeeping from 3-5PM on Tuesday, November 12. Learn more + register.

11/19: Public Meeting, Forest Avenue Redesign Project
Please join City staff and project team on Tuesday, 11/19 for an Open House (5:30-6:15 PM) and Public Meeting (6:30-8 PM) for the Forest Avenue Redesign Project. The main goal of this project is to increase the safety and accessibility for all users of Forest Avenue, including pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists and transit users. The project area spans Forest Avenue from the Exit 6/Bedford-Baxter intersection to Woodfords Corner. Arrive for the Open House to preview materials and discuss the project. Learn more here or contact Bruce Hyman via email at: bhyman@portlandmaine.gov.

DIY Electrify! Rebate Still Available
Our Sustainability Office is still offering rebates up to $250 to eligible Portland homeowners and renters for a list of eligible items - including weatherstripping, window and door caulking, pipe insulation, Window Dressers insulating window inserts, and more. Save money & save energy, click here to learn more about DIY Electrify.

Tree Planting Project Completed in Bayside Neighborhood
We're pleased to announce that 153 new street trees have been planted across the Bayside neighborhood over the last several months. The Bayside Tree Planting Project focused on adding trees to neighborhood streets in Bayside with insufficient tree canopy coverage, in addition to the Forestry Division’s annual tree planting work. This concerted planting effort began in June and was managed by the City's Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department, and was funded by a combination of federal American Rescue Plan Act and Community Development Block Grant funds. Read the full story.

Volunteers Needed to Shovel Snow for Elderly Neighbors
Age-Friendly Portland needs help maintaining and expanding the Snow Shoveling for Seniors Program. Each year, a growing number of older Portland homeowners (aged 65 or older) are seeking help with snow removal. In order to keep up with demand, additional volunteers are needed in all areas of the city. Volunteers are asked to shovel steps, walks, and sidewalks for an elderly neighbor. We are also looking for individuals willing to coordinate the volunteer matches within their own neighborhood. Volunteer coordinators are needed in the Back Cove, West End, Munjoy Hill, Deering Center, Nason's Corner, and North Deering neighborhoods. If you are interested in volunteering or just need more information, please call Linda Weare at 207-541-6620 or email LSW@portlandmaine.gov. 

Save the Date: Monument Square Tree Lighting
Join us on Friday, 11/29, for the Monument Square Tree Lighting Presented by Hood® Eggnog! This free, family-friendly event kicks off at 1:00 PM with a princess and superhero meet and greet, followed by an outdoor movie watch party, along with complimentary Hood® Eggnog tastings. Enjoy live dance and music performances leading up to the tree lighting ceremony at 3:30 PM, with the tree illuminating around 4:30 PM. Check back for schedule updates here.

No Cost Monthly Legal Aid Clinic
Our Office of Economic Opportunity hosts a monthly virtual Legal Aid Clinic every second Thursday of the month. Appointments are available on Zoom from 12PM-5PM. Individuals may sign up for a one hour appointment to speak with a volunteer immigration lawyer at no cost. Sign up online or contact them here: oeo@portlandmaine.gov, 207-874-8799. The Legal Aid Clinic can help with any immigration questions except relating to asylum, please direct those to www.ilapmaine.org.

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.

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

Parking Updates 

• To better assist downtown workers, Spring Street parking meters are now available for 9 hours of time.
• Street maintenance parking restrictions 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.

Sharps/Needles on Public Property
Remember, if you come across syringes on City-owned property, please call the Department of Public Works at 207-874-8493 or submit a request through Portland 311 and a City employee will be dispatched to pick up the items and dispose of them properly.

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. 

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates 
Read all the latest updates in the October 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. 

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

Western Promenade Drainage Improvements Project
Construction is on target for 10/31 completion and currently approaching the intersection with Vaughn St where work will continue for the next 1-2 weeks. Vaughn St and Danforth St will remain open to traffic, but drivers are encouraged to drive with caution. Full details. 

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

11/4 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 here via livestream. 

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

Pledge of Allegiance - Led by the Yarmouth Girl Scout Juniors Troop 1522

Proclamations
#19 Recognizing November 2024 as Native American Heritage Month
#20 Recognizing November 2024 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Appointments
#73 Appointing Directors of the Portland Widows' Wood Society for the 2024-2025 Term

Consent Items
#74 Granting Municipal Officers’ Approval of Duckfat LLC, dba Duckfat.  Application for Class I FSE at 43 Middle Street
#75 Granting Municipal Officers’ Approval of Island Operations LLC, dba Inn on Peaks Island.  Application for Class XI Restaurant/Lounge at 33 Island Ave

Unfinished Business, Public comment taken
#70 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 14 RE: ReCode Phase II
#71 Amendment City of Portland Zoning Map
#72 Amendment Conditional Zone Agreement RE: Diamond Cove, Great Diamond Island

Orders, Public comment on #76 + #77 only (others First Read only)
#76 Approving Second Amendment to Arena License Agreement Between the City and Celtics Development, LLC
#77 Establishing a 180-Day Moratorium on New Hotel Projects in the City Of Portland
#78 Accepting/Appropriating a $300,000 Grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency + Appropriating $100,000 from Portland Police Department Federal Equitable Sharing Account for Emergency Response Vessel
#79 Appropriating $75,000 from Jetport Unrestricted Fund to Jetport Noise Advisory Committee for Development of a New Approach Procedure at the Portland International Jetport
#80 Appropriating $4,750,000 from Jetport Unrestricted Funds for Improvements to Terminal Building, Outbound Baggage Handling System, and Parking Garage at Portland International Jetport 

Amendments, First Read only
#81 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 2 RE: Climate Action Fund
#82 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 2 RE: Ethics Commission