City of Portland Alerts
City News Round Up: Friday, April 8, 2022
City News Round Up: Friday, April 8, 2022
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. The next City Council meeting is Monday, April 11, at 5:00 PM. Read a recap of the March 21 City Council meeting; view the full Meeting Calendar here.
City Council: Upcoming Agenda Preview
Find the preview of the April 11 meeting agenda at the bottom of this news update and use the link above to view the full agenda.
Upcoming City Hall and City Buildings Closure
City of Portland offices will be closed on Monday, April 18 in observance of Patriots’ Day.
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.
Traffic Alert: Veranda Street Bridge Replacement
I-295 north and south between Portland and Falmouth will be closed for the Veranda Street Bridge replacement taking place Friday, April 22 at 7:00 PM until Monday, April 25 at 11:00 AM. In advance, Veranda Street will be closed from 2:00 PM on Monday, April 18 to 2:00 PM on Monday, April 25. Please make a travel plan to avoid delays and traffic congestion. Visit Verandaplan.org for more information, including the purpose of the project and alternate routes during the closure. The Resources Tab of their website includes notices, describing the closures and detours, that can be downloaded and printed for Portland residents and businesses.
America’s Best Bus Stops Championship: Boston vs. Portland, Maine
Thanks to you, Portland, we made it to the Championship Round! Please vote one more time Portland, ME vs. Boston, MA starting today through Friday, 4/15 at 10:00 AM ET. Learn more and vote.
New Questionnaire: Better Bikeways Initiative
Our Better Bikeways Initiative has created a second questionnaire to gather your input! Please share your preferences and priorities for specific bikeway treatments and potential pilot projects that may be able to be implemented as soon as this year. Take the questionnaire.
Street Sweeping Continues - We Need Your Help!
Off-peninsula residents: The street sweepers are headed your way. Please use off-street parking as much as possible if it's available to you during this time; view the interactive map to see an estimated timeframe of when the sweepers will be in your area. This work will continue through late Spring, with sweepers on rotation after this first big push. Learn more.
On-peninsula and Nathan Clifford area residents: 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. The next few weeks are critical to their work and we must get compliance with the overnight and daytime street maintenance signs on your street. Ticketing and towing will occur for any non-compliance. Learn more.
Spring Yard Waste 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! Learn more.
ReCode Portland Summary and Next Steps
After three months of great feedback, summarized here, the ReCode Portland team is using the public input received to draft changes to the land use code in the form of text and map amendments. They will make draft code amendments broadly available for public review, and then initiate another round of public engagement to collect additional feedback. Please continue sharing your thoughts! Contact them via email: recodeportland@portlandmaine.gov, and stay tuned for updates at recodeportland.me throughout the coming months.
Age-Friendly Portland Survey
The Age-Friendly Portland Steering Committee is conducting an anonymous survey of Portland residents aged 60 years and older. The survey takes 15-30 minutes to complete and responses will guide the work of Age-Friendly Portland into the future. Topics include transportation, community support and services, housing, outdoor space and buildings, civic participation, social inclusion and more. Take the survey here, or to request a paper version call 207-541-6620 or email agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov.
Charter Commision Timeline
The Charter Commission will present their preliminary report for the City Council on May 9, 2022, with a final report to be submitted to Council on July 11, 2022. Learn more about the Charter Commission.
Call for Vendors: New Monument Square Market
Portland Downtown announced a new market, Monument(al) Market in the Square, to take place Thursday's this spring and summer, beginning May 19. Vendors can visit portlandmaine.com/MonumentalMarket to complete an application.
Elm Street Lane Closure: Beginning Monday, April 11
Shaw Brothers construction may cause delays on Elm Street, closure of one lane is required. The work, starting 4/11, includes sidewalk and ramp improvements, milling, paving, and striping. Sidewalk work will also be done on Chestnut Street from Oxford to Lancaster; that work will minimally affect vehicular traffic. Large operations such as milling, paving, and striping will be done at night.
Commercial Street Traffic Alert: Monday, April 4 through Friday, June 10
Work started April 4 on Commercial St, from Center St to India St, to replace the gas main and services for Unitil under their System Upgrade for Reliable Energy project. The work will last approximately 10 weeks. Traffic back-ups should be minimum and the project is timed with an intention to be completed before the start of the tourist season. Parking will be disrupted in short sections and follow the crew excavations. Please keep an eye out for emergency no parking signs.
Last Week! Community Composting Survey, through April 15
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 by April 15 via Civil Space.
New Small Business and Nonprofit Support Available
We launched a new Microenterprise grant program last week in support of businesses, existing and new, that have been or continue to be impacted by the pandemic. This program is open to both nonprofits and for-profit businesses in Portland. Learn more.
Parks and Recreation Updates
Riverside Golf Course will open Monday, April 18, at that time players can book online or by calling the pro shop. Summer Camp registration opened this week!
View the full Recreation program guide here, and read all the Parks updates via their April newsletter.
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.
Ongoing Traffic Alerts
Walton Street Converted to Temporary One-Way
The City’s contractor, Gorham Sand and Gravel, is working on the Stevens Avenue Storm Drain Improvements project, which began on Monday, March 28. This project will require the contractor to convert Walton Street into a one-way street between McCauley Way and Stevens Avenue for the duration of the project, scheduled to last approximately two months. Learn more.
Preble Street Extension Work Continues
The City's contractor, Sargent Corp., returned to Preble Street Extension March 28 to complete sewer manhole construction installed last year. This work will extend from the Back Cove soccer fields to Baxter Boulevard. Traffic control devices will be installed to provide for a safe work environment. Learn more.
In addition, Unitil started 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
Construction to replace the Baxter Boulevard Wastewater Force Main started on Monday, 3/14 and will 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 11 Council Meeting Agenda Preview
13 BUSINESS LICENSES - Public comment taken
COMMUNICATIONS
As communications these items require no public comment or formal Council action.
Com 15-21/22 In-Person/Hybrid Meeting Update
Com 16-21/22 HHS Homelessness and Emergency Shelter Update
Com 17-21/22 Delay of City Manager’s Recommended FY23 Budget to April 25 Council Meeting
BUDGET ITEMS - Public comment taken
Order 199-21/22 Amending the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriation Resolve Order 12- 21/22 Regarding Additional General Assistance Expenditures
Order 200-21/22 Receiving|Referring to Finance Committee the Portland Board of Public Education’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Estimate and Setting a Public Hearing Thereon
RESOLUTIONS - Public comment taken
Resolve 9-21/22 Adopting 2022-2026 Five-Year Consolidated Plan & Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan including Appropriations for Community Development Block Grant Program, HOME Program, & Emergency Solutions Grant Program and Approving a Substantial Amendment to 2016-2020 Consolidated Plan, 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan & Certifications Pertaining Thereto
Resolve 10-21/22 Approving the City Council Rules of Procedure