May 24 2021

Hello Portland Neighbors,

Happy Spring!

I’ve gotten some feedback - and so, will tweak my email format a bit. Here goes:

First. Zoom.
May’s Mayor Zoom Meeting will be this Thursday, May 27th, at 4:30pm. 
Join the Zoom (Meeting ID: 834 5160 1508, Passcode: 899628) FMI from the City's website, go here.
As always, join when you can between 4:30-5:30pm - there’s no formal “start time”.
This is an easy going forum. I’m interested in hearing what you’re thinking about, and I’ll do my best to answer questions and share my perspectives. If we reach a natural conclusion before 5:30pm, we will end the meeting. 

Second. City News & Updates.
If you’re generally curious about City updates and news - please click here to subscribe to the ‘City News’ group. (You can also go to that page to click on the latest weekly update - and look back through news, too.) It has everything from Council decisions to construction updates to news about free community composting. It’s a fantastic, concise, easy to read resource. 
If you sign up, you can opt for text and/or email. Every Friday you’ll get an alert that the news is ready. So easy! 

Third. Council Work.
Mindful of the above...I’ll continue to offer some info and details about my work, and the City Council’s work that I feel are critical to mention. But - I’ll be discerning - and, once you’re this far along in the email, you can simply opt not to read on :-)

Revaluation Update. There will be a one month delay in the mailing of new assessed values to both residential and commercial property owners. New values will be mailed the week of June 28th. Tax bills will be mailed in early September. (Taxes are due: half in October, half in March.)

Some people are understandably distressed by the news of the delay. Property owners are eager to know their new value, and the resulting tax bill. I get it. However, the purpose of a property revaluation is to determine how to apportion the current City budget to individual properties fairly. Since property values are at least partly determined by how they compare to other properties, it would be impossible to accurately determine the value of residential properties in the absence of commercial information, which is where we have a hold up. There is nothing untoward here. It’s a delay. But, given the anticipation and stress that results from such a long interval between revaluations (it’s been 15 years), I think it’s imperative that we commit to much more frequent revaluation cycles. I’ll be offering a Resolution for Council consideration on this matter. 

On May 18th, the Council's HEDC voted unanimously (4-0) to advance work on a new Homeless Services Center by green-lighting staff to work with Developers Collaborative. Here's the proposal. This is just one more step in what has been, and what will continue to be a lengthy and thorough process. 

Portland's Emergency Proclamation has been extended to November 2, 2021. This date was chosen as it aligns with the most recent outdoor seating, dining and retail provisions. Please note - the citywide dog leash rule has been removed. 

Budgets. The City Manager's Recommended Municipal Budget for FY22 - which was unanimously recommended by the Finance Committee last week - and which will be acted on by the full Council on June 7th - is: $212.2M.
And, the Portland Public Schools budget will get voter say on June 8th. It is: $125.2M
For more detail and information on FY22 proposed budgets, go here. 

Please remember to vote in the Municipal Election on June 8th. In addition to the school budget referendum, your vote is critical as we choose members of the soon-to-be-formed Portland Charter Commission. While I have declined the opportunity to endorse candidates, I am very hopeful that we will elect Charter Commissioners who focus on Portland, not politics. I believe we can and will benefit from commissioners who arrive with open minds, a willingness to ask questions, learn, research, and consider many pathways before advancing recommendations. I hope the process fosters inclusivity, not division. And - I thank all candidates for raising their hand for public service.
For all things election, polling locations, absentee ballots, etc., click here. 
FMI re: the Charter Commision, go here.

Here’s to warmer weather, vaccinations, kindness, and constructive civic engagement.

Kate Merchant Snyder

Meetings are still remote, and we welcome your participation:
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.

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.