City News Round Up: Friday, March 18, 2022

City News Round Up: Friday, March 18, 2022
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. The next City Council meeting is on Monday, March 21, at 5:00 PM. The next full Charter Commission meeting is Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 PM. View the full Meeting Calendar. 

City Council: Upcoming Agenda Preview

Find the preview of the March 21 meeting agenda at the bottom of this news update and use the link above to view the full agenda.

March 22: Mayor’s Monthly Zoom

Join Mayor Kate Snyder Tuesday, March 22 at 4:00 PM for her monthly Zoom chat; an opportunity for residents to get recent updates from the Mayor and discuss any issues. Find Zoom details here

Ticket & Tow Parking Alert

A reminder to residents who live or park on the peninsula that compliance with overnight (and in some areas daytime) street maintenance parking restrictions is crucial. Street sweeping operations and regulations are in effect each year from October 1 - May 31. While street sweeping occurs throughout the year, these restrictions ensure that our crews can complete curb-to-curb sweeping as mandated by Maine DEP. Our crews make one big push to complete curb-to-curb at the end of fall to clear catch-basins of leaves before winter storms start, and then again between winter and spring to remove salt and sand so it doesn’t contaminate water streams. During the winter season, the parking restrictions are used so public works crews can perform snow removal operations. Residents are asked to comply to avoid receiving parking tickets. If compliance is not achieved, we’ll be forced to tow vehicles. Learn more.

Updated City Venue Policies and Customer Service Enhancements
We have enhanced customer service for those visiting City Hall by having two guest services staff located at the Congress St and Myrtle St entrances; 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. As of Monday, 3/14, masks are recommended, but not required when visiting City Hall and Canco Road facilities. This applies to members of the public as well as staff. Masks continue to be required when visiting the Health & Human Services department at 39 Forest Ave. Effective 3/14, the City has also updated its safety protocols for events at its indoor facilities. Following the latest CDC guidance, the City is lifting its masking mandate at these venues. Learn more.

FY23 CDBG Allocations: Recommendations and Public Hearings

This week Interim City Manager Danielle West released recommendations to the City Council for FY23 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The City Council will hold two public hearings regarding the CDBG funding at the 3/21 and 4/11 City Council meetings, with a final vote at the second hearing. Learn more. 

Community Composting Feedback

Last year on Earth Day we launched the Community Compost Drop Off program. As the one year anniversary approaches we would love to hear from you! Have you used the program? Do you like it? Could it be improved? Share your thoughts via Civil Space.

Recode Portland: Public Forum Recordings

Did you miss the recent public forums to review the Land Use Code evaluation? Watch both recordings here.

Spring Curbside Collection: April 25-May 6

It’s that time of year again! The Annual spring curbside collection of leaf bags/yard waste will begin Monday, April 25 through Friday, May 6. The leaves must be in large, paper biodegradable leaf bags. Place the biodegradable leaf bags curbside on your normal trash day during the above dates and City crews will take care of the rest! 

Electrify Everything! Sustainability Program Launches

We recently launched a new sustainability program in an effort to reduce Portland’s collective carbon footprint as well as minimize energy costs for residents. The new program, Electrify Everything!, provides residents with exclusive discounts on solar panels and home heating appliances. ReVision Energy, our partner and local full-service solar company, is offering the following discounts to Portland property owners: $500 off solar installations, $250 off air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and home EV chargers, and up to $60,000 to help low-income households go solar. Learn more.

New Electric Vehicle Charging Network Provider: EVGo
We also announced last week the selection of EVGo as our partner to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure on City-owned property. An industry leader, EVGo operates more than 800 EV fast charging stations in 34 states and the District of Columbia. This partnership will bring the installation of up to 44 Level-2 chargers and four DC fast chargers (serving eight parking spots) to Portland. Learn more.

Eligibility Expanded for Portland Growing Child Care Grant Program
This month we expanded eligibility requirements for the Portland Growing Child Care Grant Program (PGCC), made possible with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Existing centers – including home-based providers, and out of school providers (before and after school) serving less than 75 children are eligible to apply for up to $11,000 in grants to help sustain and grow their businesses. Learn more.

Portland Youth Corps Applications Open
Applications are open for the Summer 2022  Portland Youth Corps program — now through Sunday, March 27, 2022. The program seeks to fill 26 volunteer positions, and is open to youth ages 14-17 who live in Portland. If you missed the Zoom info session you can watch the replay here. Contact Mike Vincent, mvincent@portlandmaine.gov, with any questions.

April Save the Date: 2022 Urban Runoff 5K Race
Be a stormwater hero and support clean water education in our community by participating in the Urban Runoff 5k! Join in person on April 23 in South Portland, or complete a 5k anywhere during the month of April. For more information and to register, visit www.urbanrunoff5k.com.

Work With Us

We currently have multiple job openings across a variety of departments. For more information, visit: www.portlandmaine.gov/jobs. See how we are working together to serve the community with other local agencies -in this recent video. 

New Update: Back Cove South Storage Facility

Unitil will be starting work on Dartmouth Street Monday 3/21.  Portland Water District will be installing a temporary water line on Dartmouth Street at the beginning of April, and work on the storm drains and sewers will start at the end of April. This work will continue throughout the summer months and into September. Learn more.

March 14 - April 30: Baxter Boulevard Wastewater Upgrade Begins
Construction to replace the Baxter Boulevard Wastewater Force Main started on Monday, 3/14 and be complete by Saturday, 4/30. The project will replace approximately 900 feet of wastewater pipe that was originally installed in the late 1970s. Portland Water District has partnered with Sargent Corporation to complete the construction. The construction will include excavation within the Back Cove walking trail; foot traffic will be redirected around the work area in order to maintain pedestrian access during construction. 

April 22-25: Veranda Plan Update and Traffic Alert
The Maine DOT will be closing I-295 over Veranda St. in Portland the fourth weekend in April to accommodate the replacement of an aging interstate bridge. MaineDOT's Veranda Plan involves a full closure of the highway around Exit 9 from 7:00 PM on Friday, April 22 to 11:00 AM on Monday, April 25. Additionally, Route 1/Veranda St. (under the bridge) will be closed for a full week, starting at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 18 through 2:00 PM on Monday, April 25. Reminder to drivers: Veranda St/Route 1 in Portland was converted to two-way traffic in August 2021.

March 21 Agenda Highlights

RESOLUTIONS - First Read

Resolve 10-21/22 Approving the City Council Rules of Procedure

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Public Comment taken

Order 152-21/22 Approving the Agreements between the Maine DOT and the City of Portland Re: Forest Avenue Paving

Order 163-21/22 Authorizing General Obligation Bonds to Finance Portion of City's Fiscal Year '23 Capital Improvement Program in Amount not to Exceed $21,145,000

Order 164-21/22 Appropriating Bond Proceeds + other Funds in Amount not to Exceed $30,770,000 for City's Fiscal Year '23 Capital Improvement Program

Order 165-21/22 Approving Three-Party Agreement between the Portland Area Comprehensive Traffic System, Maine DOT +  City of Portland Re: Improvements to Cumberland Avenue

ORDERS - Public Comment taken 

Order 178-21/22 Renaming Farm Field in Payson Park the Ron A. Farr Field

Order 179-21/22 Accepting + Adopting the 2022 Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund Annual Plan

Order 180-21/22 Approving City Application for Federal Funds to Dredge Public and Private Berthing and Vessel Support Resources and to Develop a - Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) Cell in Portland Harbor

Order 181-21/22 Approving the Modification of Agreement between Maine DOT + Portland Re: West Commercial Street Multi-Use Path 

Order 182-21/22 Approving the Agreement between the Maine DOT and the City of Portland Re: State Street Paving

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