June 13, 2022

Dear Portlanders,

Some updates and information mid-July. Hope to see you at my next monthly Mayor Zoom on the 27th at 4pm. 

First off - there's been some confusion about camping on city property.
Please note: there has been no change in city ordinance. Rather, city staff has made a point to clearly and transparently articulate their work in response to managing encampments on city property. The work, in consultation with nonprofit service providers and other community organizations, is focused on improved access to services for individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring that people are treated with dignity throughout the enforcement process, and allowing for flexibility in response to capacity at area emergency shelters. Read or download the full packet of materials from the July 11, 2022 City Council Meeting here which contains a Communication from staff on this matter.

In response to recent media coverage related to how City of Portland staff enforce city ordinances and laws related to unauthorized campsites, Interim City Manager Danielle West clarifies: “By City ordinance, camping is not permitted on public property. City staff will continue to enforce these ordinances consistently and fairly in all public areas, including streets, sidewalks, and parks in accordance with our recently-adopted policy.”

Citizen Initiatives - Please let us know what you think....
Five Citizen-Initiated changes to current City of Portland Ordinances will be presented to Portland voters on November's local ballot. 
(See Orders 19-24 below for titles - and of course you can see the actual proposed ordinance amendments by looking at the materials in our July 11th agenda packet: https://www.portlandmaine.gov/602/Agendas-Minutes ).
Public Comment on the proposed ordinance changes will be taken at the Council's August 8th Meeting. 
If you can't attend, but would like to offer comment, you can email here [email protected]. 

American Rescue Plan Act - Participatory Budgeting
As was the case for the first "tranche", or half, of American Rescue Plan Act funding that came to the City of Portland, the City Council and City Management will once again look to the community for engagement in how to allocate and invest the second tranche.

As a reminder - the City of Portland received a total of $46M in ARPA funds. Half that amount, $23M was received in May 2021. Part of that funding went to support the FY22 local operating budget (reducing the need to raise revenues lost as a result of covid-19 through property taxes), and the remainder was used to strategically invest in community needs (for example, public restrooms throughout the City, support for mental health programs, and grants for both small businesses and child care providers). 

Now, it's time to address the second half, or tranche.
Your voice is important as the needs of the community continue to evolve.
This new online survey consists of questions and choices that align with eligible uses of funds. The results will be presented to both the Finance Committee and City Council later this summer. Decision making will happen this fall.
For more information on the American Rescue Plan Act and a complete list of projects that have received funding please visit our ARPA website: portlandmaine.gov/arp

Speaking of ARPA Funds, let's talk about Public Bathrooms...
Due to supply chain issues, there has been a slight delay in the installation of three new anticipated city-run bathroom facilities (funded through the participatory budget process summer/fall 2021 for the first tranche of city-received ARPA funds). Updated timeline below:

• Commercial Street (at Fish Pier): To be installed Thursday, July 14
• Monument Way (at Free Street): To be installed week of July 18
• Central Fire (on Pearl, between Congress and Federal): Late August

Here's the helpful recap of the July 11th (double) Council Meeting:

APPOINTMENTS
Order 1 Appointing Members of the Ethics Committee
(Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)
Order 2 Confirming Amy R. McNally as Associate Corporation Counsel
(Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)
Order 3 Appointing Michael Murray Treasurer, Executive Board, Portland Technology Park Condominium Association  (Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)
Order 4 Appointing Ashley Rand Registrar of Voters for Duration of Appointment as City Clerk    (Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)
Order 5 Declaring 8/12-14, 2022 the 96th Annual St. Peter's Bazaar/Italian Street Festival (Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)

Consent Items and 7 Licenses - All Passed

RESOLUTIONS
Resolve 1  Supporting the Right to Abortion (Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)
Resolve 15 Amending Council Rules for 2022 (Passed 8-0-1, Councilor Dion absent)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolve 2  Supporting the Greater Portland Council of Governments' Rapid Transit Study and Requesting a Full Evaluation of the Climate Impacts of the Proposed South Portland/Gorham Connector (Passed 9-0)
Order 13 Approving Agreement w/ Baker Tilley US, LLP for Phase 1 City Manager Search   (Passed 9-0)   
Order 14 Approving Agreement between MaineDOT and Portland Re: Portland Transportation Center/Fore River Parkway Trail Pathway Design (Passed 9-0)  
Order 15 Authorizing Assignment of Tax Increment Financing Credit Enhancement Agreement Held by Atlantic Bayside Trust LLC to Portland MOB Partners LLC   (Passed 8-0-1 Councilor Dion absent)  
Order 16 Amending Municipal Development Program, Front Street Housing Redevelopment Affordable Housing Development District  (Passed 9-0)
Order 17 Amending Credit Enhancement Agreement, Phase 1 Front Street Housing Redevelopment w/Front Street Housing Redevelopment, LP (Passed 9-0)
Order 18 Approving Credit Enhancement Agreement, Phase 2 Front Street Housing Redevelopment w/Front Street Housing Redevelopment Phase Two, LP (Passed 9-0)
Order 19 Setting Public Hearing: Citizen Initiative Amendment #1 to Portland City Code Re: An Act to Regulate Short-Term Rentals (Passed 9-0)
Order 20 Setting Public Hearing: Citizen Initiative Amendment #2 to Portland City Code Re: An Act to Reduce the Number of Short-Term Rentals (Passed 9-0)
Order 21 Setting Public Hearing: Citizen Initiative Amendment #3 to Portland City Code Re: An Act to Protect Tenants (Passed 9-0)
Order 22 Setting Public Hearing: Citizen Initiative Amendment #4 to Portland City Code Re: An Act to Eliminate the Sub-Minimum Wage (Passed 9-0)
Order 23 Setting Public Hearing: Citizen Initiative Amendment #5 to Portland City Code Re: An Act to Restrict Cruise Ships (Passed 9-0)
Order 24 Approving Contract between City of Portland and the City Employees Benefit Association (Passed 9-0)

Upcoming Council Meetings:
August 8th - Double Meeting - Starts at 4pm - Hybrid
September 1 - 5pm. (This represents a date change for the first September meeting (would have been Wednesday, September 7th) which is due to the need for a Public Hearing on the Council Action(s) to place Charter Commission recommendations on the November ballot. Why? We need to finalize Council actions with enough time to order ballots, and any later than September 1 cuts it too close. 

My next Mayor Zoom will be July 27th at 4:00pm. Thanks to all who joined me yesterday!
Topic: Mayor's Monthly Zoom
Time: Jul 27, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/88280706477?pwd=lk7sCXMPN5zZM2jXvnKMsRmxCdecAD.1

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

Sincerely,
Kate Snyder
 

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 Monday, July 11th at 4:00pm.

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

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November's Election. On the local front: Nomination Papers for November 2022 Election Available Friday, July 1st. The City Clerk is alerting Portland residents that nomination papers will be available Friday, July 1 for several seats open for the November 8, 2022 Election. The deadline to return papers is no sooner than August 15, 2022 at 9:00 AM and no later than August 29, 2022 at 4:30 PM. The following seats are available:  
City Council Seats 1- At-Large (Three year term), 1- District Three (Three year term)
School Board Seats: 1- District Three (Three year term), 2- Two At-Large (Three year term)
Peaks Island Council: 4 - Four Seats Available (Three year term)
Portland Water District: 1 - One Seat (Five year term)1 - One Seat (One year term). 
Thank you to all people who consider public service.