July 23, 2021

Happy Summer Fellow Portlanders,

I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the moments, hours - but not stretches - of great Maine summertime weather. Between the chilly rainy days, and the multi-day heatwaves, well, suffice it to say that the lines at Amato’s on a warm, sunny evening, when everyone has the same idea - go to the beach for the evening! - are evidence that everyone is savoring what we can, when we can!

As begun during the darker days of Covid-19...I continue my Monthly Zoom. This is an easy going, no-agenda forum. Everyone is welcome. During this time, I’m interested in hearing what you’re thinking about. And, I’ll do my best to answer questions and share my perspectives, too. If we reach a natural conclusion before the hour is up, we will end the meeting. So - if you need to join after the start, don’t come too late!

This month’s Zoom: July 28th at 11am. (I move the day of week and time of day each month. If you can’t make July, please try for August!)

To Join the Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88549141855?pwd=M2xjWUpvRHhoR0Y1Y2RTRzFoSVg5Zz09

City News & Updates. Email or Text: Every week. Available Friday afternoon.

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.) The weekly compile has everything from Council decisions to construction updates to news about things happening around town. It’s a fantastic, concise, easy to read resource. 

Issues of Interest:

Noise/Sound in Bayside:

Questions were asked during the June Zoom about the noise/sound study for various sections of Bayside. Immediately following the Council meeting, the City Manager asked staff to engage with the company that previously did the sound analysis for the Old Port area of the city. Staff is working with the contractor to get the study underway and done. Results will be available early fall. Perhaps of interest, and for context, here’s the Sound Study Report from 2018

Want to learn more, and also provide your input regarding the CoP’s use of American Rescue Plan Act Funds? The City has set up this resource page, and SURVEY. 

Charter Commission Public Hearing is July 28th at 6pm. FMI and the Zoom link, click here.

Property Revaluation: As everyone is now aware, new property values have been determined, and sent to owners in Portland. Appeals meetings are ongoing, and final determinations will be made by the end of August. FMI on all things revaluation, please visit the Assessor's Page. 

This page has ALL local and state Tax Relief programs spelled out. 

Of note for seniors (in this case anyone over 65): on July 22nd, the Council’s Finance Committee discussed the brand new Maine law that will provide tax relief to thousands of Maine seniors. PPH Article here, 7/22/2021. City Staff will be providing more information early next week. This is a significant opportunity, and while we’ll need to find a “bridge program” for 2021-2022 tax bills in Portland, we are all aware of and seeking solutions to help people. 

If you’re interested in reading more about the role that property revaluations play in towns and cities, and why it is so critical that we revalue frequently! - please check this out: New York Times piece entitled: How Lower-Income Americans Get Cheated on Property Taxes

For an expansion on this accolade - please check out PPH’s Greg Kesich’s piece from last Sunday, Portland is at a crossroads (again). No one can deny that Portland is, and has been changing significantly for years now. Not in population - but in many other ways, including affordability. 

Speaking of affordability: the City Council approved many items on Monday, July 19th, in support of more than 100 units of affordable housing to be developed in the City of Portland. To see the details - check out the meeting agenda with all supporting documents. 

Lastly, for now: the City has received an inquiry from the United Soccer League for possible City-owned locations for a stadium in Portland. The issue went before the HEDC on Tuesday, July 20th. This was an initial introduction - and no decisions were made. More information was requested, and this will come back before HEDC at a future date. Here's the presentation that was offered to the Housing and Economic Development Committee

Stay cool, stay warm - whatever the day brings - I hope you have a good one, 

Kate Merchant Snyder

Post Scripts….

I do WGAN every two weeks - here’s the latest from July 20th: Click here to listen 

City Council - and City Council Committee Meetings will be In Person starting August 2nd.
Remote participation will be available - and the details for that were approved by way of a required local policy. Keep an eye out for more info on the City’s website.
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.

The next City Council meeting is Monday, August 23rd. 

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.