January 17, 2022

Dear Portlanders,

I'm sending this today as we celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have included the City Council Proclamation honoring Dr. King, from our January 3rd Council Meeting, below. As I take time to reflect and read, I am focusing on Dr. King's messages of love, not hate. Together, not apart. Equity. Freedom. And hope for better. 

This month's Mayor's Monthly Zoom will take place this week - on Thursday, January 20th from 5:00-6:00pm.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89138612829?pwd=N1l0SDNzcU80VGJJdWEvZjNjRVlQZz09
To anyone new to my emails - this Zoom meeting is a no-agenda time to get together. I come to listen, learn, answer questions to the best of my ability (or get an answer and email you!). I also love being able to listen as attendees talk with one another, share ideas, outlooks, etc. I do this open meeting once a month - all are welcome - and if you can't come this time, I change up the day of the month and time of day each month.

Our next City Council meeting is this Wednesday, January 19th. (Wednesday not Monday, because of the holiday.) The agenda and back up materials can be found here. The meeting will be remote, so please join by using Zoom.

Thank you to so many who have engaged, and offered opinions and information regarding Covid-19 cautionary measures to address public health. The Council's decision on January 3rd to require masking (or proof of vaccine) will be reviewed on February 7th - compliant with ordinance requirement to either repeal or estend after 30 days. 

Please be aware - we need your interest - and help with spreading the word about ways to get involved: City Seeks Applicants for Vacancies on Several Boards & Committees. Help Shape Your City By Applying Today! Applications due February 4, 2022

The City Clerk is seeking applications for several vacancies on various boards and committees.Additional information is available on the City’s website or by calling 207-874-8677. Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or [email protected]. Applicants will be contacted for interviews.

• Board of Assessment Review: 3 seats (1 Board and 2 Alternates)

• Civil Service Sub Committee: 1 seat

• Fair Hearing Officer: 2 seats

• Fish Exchange: 1 seat (Exchange C)

• Land Bank Commission:  3 seats

• Parks Commission: 4 seats

• Pesticide Management Advisory Committee: 3 seats (1 License Applicator, 1 Agronomist, 1 NOFA ( Northeast Organic Farming Association) Certified)

• Police Citizen Review Subcommittee: 2 seats

• Portland Housing Authority: 2 Seats (1 Resident, 1 Non Resident Seat)

• Portland Public Art Committee: 4 seats

• Rent Board: 2 seats (District 1, District 2)

• Rental Housing Advisory Committee: 2 positions (1 Tenant, 1 Landlord)

Sincerely,

Kate Merchant Snyder
 

Please see below for general information regarding access to City Updates, and City Council work:

City 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 Wednesday, January 19th at 5pm. 

Council Workshops: Please Check in here to see all upcoming meetings.

City News & Updates: Sent every Friday afternoon from the City of Portland's Communications Department straight to you. Email or Text.  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 the 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.

As read on January 3rd at the City Council Meeting:

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., DAY

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., inspired this country and the world with his vision and dedication to freedom and equality; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King became the voice of the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s with his distinctive oratorical style and commitment to nonviolent protest and deliberative, intentional political action that resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King’s voice, dream, and vision has persevered for generations since his passing, and his deeply-held faith and unwavering courage in loudly proclaiming the message of liberty, justice and equality for all Americans lives on; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King’s dream of Equality, Black Liberation, and Human Rights continues to inspire and motivate the millions of people continuing his work in Portland, across the United States, and around the world; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress passed legislation that was signed into law on November 2, 1983, designating the third Monday in January a national holiday in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Kate Snyder, Mayor of the City of Portland, Maine and members of the City Council do hereby recognize Monday, January 17, 2022 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of January, 2022

Kate Snyder, Mayor City of Portland