Revaluation, FY22 Budget, Munjoy Hill Historic District - lots going on!

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April 20, 2021

Dear Fellow Portlanders,

These are busy days as we move from winter to spring, cold to warm, warm to cold.

I’ve taken a slightly different approach to this month’s email - using bullets to feature many important issues: recent decisions, process that’s underway, and items on the radar. Please use links to dive in and learn more.

I hope to see some of you on Tuesday, April 27th at 4pm for this month’s Mayor Zoom. Details below, and on the city’s website. (Also - the next Council Meeting is Monday, April 26th - just FYI and info about all Council meetings, below!)

Thank you for all you do. We're in this together, Portland.

Kate Snyder
* Revaluation:

All Portland properties have undergone a revaluation. The last time this was done was 15 years ago - and as we all know, values have changed significantly during that time. To learn more about all things 2021 Reval visit: Revalue Portland! (link to page on City of Portland website) ([link removed]) .

Cliff notes: on/about May 31st: Notices of new assessed values will be mailed to all property owners; new values will be available on-line; and, informal appeal hearing appointments will open for property owners – instructions for scheduling will be included in mailed notices and posted on-line. All informal appeal hearings will be held virtually via phone and/or video call.
* Munjoy Hill Historic District:

A portion of the Munjoy Hill neighborhood has been designated as Portland’s 12th Historic District. A reconsideration vote on 4/12 flipped an earlier decision. In a reversal, Portland council narrowly approves Munjoy Hill Historic District ([link removed]) (PPH)
* Fiscal Year 2022 Budget:

To access FY22 Budget materials, and learn more about schedules, etc. click here. ([link removed])

On Monday, April 26th (that’s less than a week away) the City Manager will present his proposed Municipal Budget to the City Council. The action that evening will be to accept, and refer the Manager’s Budget to the Council’s Finance Committee.

The Portland Public Schools Budget is on a different schedule: the City Council will have the First Read on May 3rd with Final Council Action on May 10th. (And - the school budget requires a community vote of approval. This vote will happen on June 8th.)
* ReCode Phase II has started ([link removed]) !:

Portland’s Planning & Urban Development Dept. announced that ReCode Phase II is officially underway. Camiros ([link removed]) , a consultant with national experience in zoning and land use codes, has been selected to lead this effort. Camiros’s work will begin with a review of the land use code against the goals and policies of Portland’s Comprehensive Plan. The result will be a comprehensive code evaluation, which will provide a road map for future revisions to the land use code. staff will launch a series of posts
([link removed]) that explore aspects of the land use code through the lens of Portland’s Plan ([link removed]) . Each of these posts will take a look at the code with respect to one element of the city’s vision statement, providing an opportunity for people to connect with the vision, become familiar with Portland’s Plan, and learn about how the plan intersects with the city’s land use code.
* Proposed Relocation of HHS programs to 39 Forest Avenue:

On Tuesday, April 13th, City Staff presented draft plans to the City Council’s HHS Committee regarding the proposed co-location of some Health & Human Services programs to a new location: 39 Forest Ave.

Please see the staff memo and presentation - as well as a survey form for community members to ask questions about the proposal - here ([link removed]) . (FYI - Community meetings about the proposed plan are being arranged, and will likely happen the first week in May. Dates and details will be posted to the page linked.)
* Charter Commission Election - June 8th - Absentee ballots will be available May 11th:

The question about creating a new Charter Commission was on the July 2020 ballot as a result of a campaign to advance publicly funded municipal elections in Portland (aka: “clean elections” - but at the local level - like the state’s program - but funded by the City’s general fund).

Portland voters voted yes - to create a new Charter Commission. And so, last summer, compliant with state law, the Council appointed three members. And in June (just ~6 weeks from now), Portland voters will elect 9 more members - for a total of 12 Charter Commissioners.

Please take time to research what a Charter Commission does. (Quick peek: “a city is authorized to alter or amend its charter "on all matters, not prohibited by Constitution or law, which are local and municipal in character." A City may, through ordinance or by-law, "exercise any power or function which the legislature has power to confer upon it, which is not denied either expressly or by clear implication, and exercise any power or function granted to the municipality by the Constitution, general law or charter." (source: a document dating back to 2010, the time of the last Charter Commission: PORTLAND CHARTER REVIEW PROCESS: AN OVERVIEW ([link removed]) )

The June 8th ballot has been set - there are 24 candidates:

Candidates for charter commission represent diversity of Portland ([link removed]) (this is the PPH coverage of all 24 candidates for District Seats, and At-Large Seats)

For more Information about the 2021 Charter Commission - go to the City's website. ([link removed]) And, just in case you missed it above: Absentee Ballots will be available May 11th. Go to this page for instructions on requesting your absentee ballot. ([link removed]) Please Vote!

More:
* Brighton Ave/Falmouth Street/Deering Ave, USM Roundabout update ([link removed])
* Here’s a phenomenal resource from Portland’s Planning Department. I urge you to check it out: Small Shelters_CoP pictograph ([link removed])
* The outdoor dining and retail program ([link removed]) began on April 5 with the closure of several downtown streets. The program allows retailers and restaurants to apply to expand into public spaces, including closed streets, parklets, the public right-of-way, and parks. Similar to the 2020-2021 program, the City’s goal is to help small businesses operate successfully, safely, and in compliance with social distancing guidelines.

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from April 5, 2021 to November 1, 2021:
* Wharf Street
* Dana Street
* Milk Street (between Exchange/Market)
* Fore Street (on the southeast side of Boothby Square, between Pearl/Silver)

Commercial vehicles may access these streets before 11:00 AM daily to make deliveries.

Mayor's Monthly Zoom

Time: Apr 27, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting:

[link removed]

Meeting ID: 825 9972 0965

Passcode: 754233

As always - City of Portland resources - FYI.

Thank you for your continued diligence toStay the Course ([link removed]) . While the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter, Maine is experiencing an uptick in the number of cases - especially among younger people.

Please continue to physically distance and wear masks. And, please schedule your vaccination as soon as you're eligible. The State of Maine's website is a good source for up to date vaccination eligibility info, vaccine clinic locations, and appointment portals. ([link removed])

Council Meetings: The Portland City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. In the case of a Monday holiday, we typically meet the next Wednesday. In the case of school vacation weeks, we typically push the meeting by a week. Agendas and Info, go here. ([link removed])

Council Committee Meetings: There are five Council Committees: Finance, Health & Human Services & Public Safety, Sustainability & Transportation, Housing & Economic Development, and Legislative & Nominating. For Committee Meeting Info, go here. ([link removed])

To sign up for the City’s Weekly E-Newsletter and the Friday News Round Up, pleaseclick here ([link removed]) and subscribe to the ‘City News’ group.


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Mayor Kate Snyder . 389 Congress St . Portland, ME 04101-3566 . USA

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