Portland, ME

City Council

The Portland City Council meets October 5, 2026 to vote on board appointments, several license applications, and multiple housing and road funding items. Key decisions include a $375,000 loan from the Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund for Lambert Woods North at 622 Auburn Street and acceptance of an approximately $1,600,000 bequest to the Portland Fire Department. The council will also consider amendments to affordable housing tax increment financing for the Boyd and Cumberland Housing project and modifications to two state-funded road projects. An executive session is expected on Corporation Counsel compensation.

• Order 57-26/27: $375,000 loan from Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund to Preservation of Affordable Housing for Lambert Woods North, 622 Auburn Street (72 apartments)
• Order 47-26/27: Accept approximately $1,600,000 bequest from the Seymour Becker Trust for Portland Fire Department MEDCU training and equipment
• Order 55-26/27 and 56-26/27: Amend Boyd and Cumberland Housing affordable housing TIF district and credit enhancement agreement for 91 units in East Bayside
• Order 46-26/27: York Street Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Project modification, $168,750 state share and $56,250 city match
• Order 58-26/27: Forest Avenue pedestrian crossing improvements modification, $160,000 state share and $40,000 city match

Housing & Economic Development Committee

Ethics Commission

The Portland Ethics Commission is scheduled to meet remotely via Zoom on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM. The agenda lists approval of minutes from the September 1, 2026 meeting and unfinished business on drafting an ethics code. No new business items are listed, and no decisions beyond minutes approval are specified in the agenda text. Public comment is accepted live via Zoom or in writing before the meeting.

• Unfinished business: drafting an ethics code
• Approval of minutes from the 09.01.2026 meeting
• Meeting held remotely via Zoom under the Remote Meeting Policy
• Written public comment due by 12:00 pm the day before the meeting
• No new business items listed on the agenda

Historic Preservation Board

Creative Portland Corporation

Portland Fish Pier Authority

Finance Committee

Portland Fish Pier Authority

HHS and Public Safety Committee

Planning Board

Rent Board

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Land Bank Commission

Portland Development Corporation

Zoning Board of Appeals

Portland Fish Pier Authority

CDBG Working Group

This is a mandatory applicant meeting for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, conducted remotely via Zoom. The agenda contains only procedural details about how to attend and participate, with no substantive decisions or discussions listed.

• Remote meeting via Zoom per Remote Meeting Policy
• Public comment via 'raise hand' feature or *9 on phone
• Recording available in Agenda Center after meeting

Public Art Committee

City Council

Housing & Economic Development Committee

Housing & Economic Development Committee

Public Art Committee

Sustainability and Transportation Committee

Public Art Committee

Historic Preservation Board

Planning Board

Peaks Island Council

Ad Hoc Committee

City Council

Historic Preservation Board

Creative Portland Corporation

Zoning Board of Appeals

Parks Commission

Planning Board

HHS and Public Safety Committee

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Land Bank Commission

Sustainability and Transportation Committee

Portland Fish Pier Authority

City Council

Planning Board

Housing & Economic Development Committee

Public Art Committee

Historic Preservation Board

Public Art Committee

Portland Fish Pier Authority

Portland Development Corporation

Zoning Board of Appeals

Peaks Island Council

Ad Hoc Committee

CDBG Working Group

Historic Preservation Board

Parks Commission

Zoning Board of Appeals

City Council

Planning Board

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Portland Fish Pier Authority

Public Art Committee

Public Art Committee

Portland Fish Pier Authority

Portland Development Corporation

Zoning Board of Appeals

City Council

Ad Hoc Committee

Peaks Island Council

Parks Commission

Zoning Board of Appeals

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Public Art Committee

Peaks Island Council

Public Art Committee

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Portland Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid public hearing on October 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 24 at City Hall. The board will consider one conditional use appeal from the State Street Congregational Church to operate an emergency shelter at 159 State St. Public comment can be submitted remotely via Zoom or in writing by noon the day before the meeting.

• Conditional Use Appeal CU-003666-2026: emergency shelter at 159 State St, State Street Congregational Church, B-3 Mixed-Use Zone
• Hybrid public hearing with remote participation via Zoom
• Written comments due by 12:00 pm Oct 1 to [email protected]

Parks Commission

The Portland Parks Commission meets in person on October 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM at 212 Canco Rd., Suite A. The agenda lists a vote on CIP (capital improvement program) items and acceptance of the August 6, 2026 meeting minutes, plus Parks Division and Land Bank Commission reports. The agenda does not specify which projects or dollar amounts are in the CIP vote. Public comment is accepted in person or in writing by email before the meeting.

• Vote on CIP (capital improvement program) items — no projects or dollar amounts listed in the agenda
• Acceptance of meeting minutes from August 6, 2026
• Parks Division Report
• Land Bank Commission Report
• Commissioner requests for future agenda items

Ad Hoc Committee

City Council

The Portland City Council holds a workshop on September 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers to receive the final report and recommendations of the Social Housing Task Force. The agenda lists a single substantive item: presentation of that final report (Rev. 09/25/2026). No votes, contracts, or ordinances appear on this agenda; it is a presentation and discussion item only.

• Presentation of the Final Report and Recommendations of the Social Housing Task Force
• Social Housing Task Force Final Report - (Rev. 09/25/2026)
• Meeting held in Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall; recording to be posted in the Agenda Center

Ad Hoc Committee

The Board of Assessment Review will meet to approve minutes from its September 14 hearing and consider an appeal of the property assessment for 522 Island Ave., owned by Theodore W. Haykal. The board will also handle any new business and adjourn.

• Approve minutes of September 14, 2026 hearing
• Appeal of assessment for 522 Island Ave., Parcel ID 090 AA004001, owner Theodore W. Haykal

Civil Service Employment Subcommittee

Rent Board

The Portland Rent Board will set the 2027 allowable rent increase percentage and short-term rental limit, and will hold public comment on four rent increase applications. It will also approve minutes and findings of fact. The meeting is largely procedural, with decisions on rent increases and future scheduling.

• 2027 allowable increase percentage & short-term rental limit
• Rent increase: 56 Federal St, Unit 56-2 (56&58 Federal LLC)
• Rent increase: 24 Rowe Ave, both units (Spencer & Andrea Stone)
• Rent increase: 341 Cumberland Ave, all 29 units (Earl Apartments LLC)
• Rent increase: 439 Congress St, all 81 units (Metropolitan Apartments LLC)

Civil Service Employment Subcommittee

The Civil Service Employment Subcommittee will discuss and vote on a request from the Portland Fire Department to waive the requirement that oral interviews be conducted by a panel including a current Subcommittee member, allowing a former member to substitute. This is the only substantive item on the agenda; the rest is procedural.

• Vote on one-time waiver of oral interview panel requirement for Portland Fire Department
• Allow former Subcommittee member to substitute on interview panel

Peaks Island Council

Civilian Police Review Board

The Civilian Police Review Board is meeting to review draft training procedures and discuss internal affairs cases in executive session. The board will also approve minutes from its September 9 meeting and take public comment on agenda items.

• Review of draft CPRB Training Procedures
• Executive session to discuss internal affairs cases
• Approval of September 9, 2026 meeting minutes
• Public comment on agenda items

Planning Board

The Portland Planning Board will hold a workshop and public hearing on two major applications: a site plan for nine residential units at 105 Winter Street, and a zoning amendment to allow a stadium at 92 Cassidy Point Drive. The board will also receive reports from its August 11 meeting, including a recommendation to adopt a text amendment to Land Use Code Section 6.8.14.

• Major Site Plan: 105 Winter Street – combine 101 & 105 Winter St, build 9 residential units with 13 parking spaces
• Zoning amendment: 92 Cassidy Point Drive – rezone from Waterfront Port Development to B-5 Urban Commercial
• Text amendment: allow 'stadiums' as permitted use in B-5 zone
• Report: Text Amendment to Land Use Code Section 6.8.14 recommended for adoption (6-0 vote)

City Council

The Portland City Council will consider several significant items, including accepting a $1.6 million bequest for the Fire Department's Medical Crisis Unit, approving $1.5 million in EPA brownfields funding, and adopting new CDBG priorities. They will also vote on a proposed median strip ordinance referral and a York Street safety project amendment. The agenda includes consent items for a marathon proclamation and several liquor license approvals.

• Order 47-26/27: Accept $1.6M bequest from Dr. Seymour Becker for Portland Fire Department MEDCU training/equipment.
• Order 38-26/27 & 39-26/27: Approve $500,000 EPA brownfields assessment and $1,000,000 cleanup funds.
• Order 44-26/27: Adopt 2027-2031 HUD 5-Year Consolidated Plan and CDBG allocation process changes.
• Order 45-26/27: Refer median strip ordinance (prohibiting standing/parking on narrow medians) to committee.
• Order 46-26/27: Approve York Street Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Project modification with $168,750 state funding.

Portland Fish Pier Authority

The Portland Fish Pier Authority Board of Directors is meeting to approve minutes, review financial and facilities updates, hear subcommittee reports, and discuss a board retreat. Staff will also present a grant proposal for installing solar panels at the Portland Fish Exchange. The meeting is open to the public via webinar, with written comments accepted by email.

• Approval of August 20, 2026 meeting minutes
• Financial update presented by Kaela Gonzalez
• Facilities update by Phil DiPierro
• Discussion on board retreat and facilitator options
• Grant proposal for solar panels at Portland Fish Exchange

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a conditional use appeal for 136 Ray St. The applicant, ST J Housing LLC, seeks to convert a nonresidential structure into a multi-family dwelling within the RN-1 Residential Zone.

• Conditional Use Appeal (CU-003679-2026) for 136 Ray St
• Conversion of nonresidential structure to 92 multi-family units

The Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to approve a Conditional Use Appeal (CU-003679-2026) allowing ST J Housing LLC to convert a nonresidential structure at 136 Ray St into a 92-unit multi-family dwelling in the RN-1 Residential Zone. The approval is for a period of three years. The meeting ran from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm; members Ryan Lizanecz and Andrew Weaver were absent.

• Approved Conditional Use Appeal CU-003679-2026 for 136 Ray St (92-unit multi-family conversion), 5-0, valid three years

Portland Development Corporation

The Portland Development Corporation board will vote on 12 job creation grant applications from local businesses, review and forward its FY2025 annual report, elect officers, and consider appointing an interim director as assistant secretary. The meeting also includes the treasurer's report and an update on the vacant storefront initiative.

• Vote on job creation grants for 12 businesses, including Casco Bay Cleaning, Arcana, Sawyer's Butcher and Deli, and Bad Neighbors
• Review and vote to forward FY2025 annual report to the City Council
• Election of officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary)
• Vote to appoint Interim Housing and Economic Development Director Patricia Finnigan as Assistant Secretary
• Treasurer's report including loans receivable and confidential delinquency report

Legislative/Nominating Committee

The Legislative/Nominating Committee will meet remotely to conduct interviews for various boards and committees. The meeting includes a move into executive session for the purpose of these interviews.

• Board and Committee Interviews

Public Art Committee

Public Art Committee

The Portland Public Art Committee is meeting to discuss public art acquisitions, conservation priorities, and a potential deaccession. The agenda includes staff updates on the public art fund and encumbrances for new acquisitions, as well as subcommittee reports on guidelines, conservation, and a sculpture relocation. Most items are announcements or discussion points, with no public comment taken.

• Encumbrances for Bramhall Square Redesign and Congress Square Park Phase 2
• Gabriel Frey artist commission for First Light Commons
• Conservation priority projects RFP finalization
• Jewel Box deaccession coordination for City Council
• Relocation of two Glimpse deer sculptures by Wendy Klemperer at Portland Jetport

Sustainability and Transportation Committee

The Sustainability and Transportation Committee will review minutes, receive program updates, and discuss several transportation items. Key discussions include a Vision Zero update with possible action on city-wide speed limits and red light cameras, the Forest Avenue Redesign Project, and setting Ocean Gateway parking fees. Public comment will be taken on most items.

• Vision Zero: Program update and possible action on city-wide speed limits and red light cameras
• Forest Avenue Redesign Project (Revere to Bedford Street)
• Setting Ocean Gateway parking fees
• Amending parking schedule on Lancaster Street regarding commercial zone
• Annual report on rental golf carts on Peaks Island

Historic Preservation Board

The Historic Preservation Board will hold a public hearing to review a proposed addition at 100 North Street, submitted by Mary Kathryn Connolly and Thomas Doherty. The agenda also includes routine items such as roll call, reports from the previous meeting, and public comment procedures. No other substantive items are listed.

• Public hearing: Addition at 100 North Street, applicants Mary Kathryn Connolly & Thomas Doherty, Plan HP-00116-2026
• Review of alterations at 32 Thomas Street (workshop from Sept 2, 2026) noted in attendance report

Housing & Economic Development Committee

The Housing & Economic Development Committee will vote on recommending approval of a $375,000 loan from the Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund to cover a budget gap for the 72-unit Lambert Woods North affordable housing development at 622 Auburn Street/2274 Washington Avenue. They will also consider amendments to the Cumberland and Boyd Housing AHTIF District to secure 81 affordable homes, and review the CDBG Priority Setting Task Force Final Report, which guides the 2027-2031 HUD 5-Year Consolidated Plan. Additionally, the committee will discuss an entertainment sector trust fund ordinance and hold a second workshop on arts funding policies, with no formal action on the latter.

• Vote on $375,000 additional funding for Lambert Woods North (622 Auburn Street/2274 Washington Avenue)
• Vote on amendments to Cumberland and Boyd Housing AHTIF District to secure 81 affordable homes
• Review and vote on CDBG Priority Setting Task Force Final Report (FY2026 funding over $2.7 million)
• Discussion on Entertainment Venue Licensing and Entertainment Sector Benefit Agreement Ordinance
• Second workshop on policies to improve public support for the arts (no formal action)

City Council

The City Council is holding a workshop to discuss the future of family shelter services. Staff will present an overview of the current shelter operations and seek council guidance on service continuation, priorities, and a recommended property strategy for potential shelter locations. The council may also enter executive session to discuss real property acquisition and legal matters related to the shelter.

• Staff presentation on family shelter history, populations served, and operational model
• Discussion on recommendations for future service direction
• Discussion on recommended property strategy for potential family shelter locations
• Possible executive session on real property acquisition and legal rights

Ad Hoc Committee

The Board of Assessment Review will meet via Zoom to review several property assessment appeals. The meeting includes the approval of minutes from the August 24, 2026, hearing and the consideration of appeals filed by Avesta Housing Development Corporation.

• Approval of August 24, 2026, meeting minutes
• Assessment appeal: 307 Cumberland Avenue (CBL 033 N018001)
• Assessment appeal: 220 Oxford Street (CBL 033 N003001)
• Assessment appeal: 67 Elm Street (CBL 033 N001001)
• Assessment appeal: 61 Elm Street (CBL 033 N004001)

Portland Fish Pier Authority

City Council

The City Council will consider several resolutions and orders, including a plan to make the Portland Fire Department the primary emergency medical transport provider. The meeting also includes discussions on rent control enforcement, housing trust fund appropriations, and several state and federal grants.

• Resolution to establish Portland Fire Department as the primary EMS transport provider
• Appropriation of $386,037 from the Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund for Hope House rehabilitation
• Resolution regarding rent control enforcement and tenant protections
• Approval of a $100,000 agreement for engineering work on State, High, and Forest Avenue intersections
• Acceptance of $1,500,000 in combined EPA funding for Brownfields assessment and cleanup

The Portland City Council approved a resolution to fully enforce rent control, strengthen tenant protections, and guarantee safe and stable housing for renters, passing 7-2 with Councilor Phillips and Mayor Dion opposed. The council also approved several other items, including an EMS transport plan, appointments, and multiple funding appropriations. Two brownfields agreements were introduced for first reading only.

• Approved Resolve 2-26/27 to fully enforce rent control and strengthen tenant protections (7-2)
• Approved Resolve 1-26/27 adopting Emergency Medical Services Transport Plan (9-0)
• Approved Order 34-26/27 appointing members to Casco Bay Trail Board of Supervisors (9-0)
• Approved Order 35-26/27 granting outdoor dining approval to Terlingua LLC at 34 Washington Avenue (9-0)
• Approved Order 27-26/27 appropriating $386,037 from Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund to Hope Acts (9-0)
• Approved Order 28-26/27 agreement with Maine DOT for intersection improvements (9-0)
• Approved Order 29-26/27 accepting $73,721 DOJ grant (9-0)
• Approved Order 30-26/27 accepting $20,000 for victim and witness advocacy services (9-0)

Land Bank Commission

The Portland Land Bank Commission is meeting to discuss old business, including University Park, and new business such as the Secretary's and Treasurer's reports. They will also receive updates from the Parks Division and Parks Commission, and consider commissioner requests for future agenda items. The meeting is largely procedural, with no major decisions or public hearings listed.

• Acceptance of meeting minutes from August 12, 2026
• Discussion of University Park (old business)
• Secretary's report
• Treasurer's report
• Parks Division and Parks Commission reports

Civilian Police Review Board

The Board will review case presentation and review standards SOP from the Police Civilian Review Subcommittee. Members will also prioritize tasks such as complaint notification, training SOPs, and funding requests.

• Review of Case Presentation and Review Standards SOP
• Prioritization of CPRB tasks and goals
• Discussion of funding requests
• Executive Session regarding an IA Case for Review

Creative Portland Corporation

Rent Board

The Portland, ME Rent Board will hold a Zoom meeting on September 9, 2026, to discuss two main items: the maintenance of net operating income applications and the availability of publicly accessible documents. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

HHS and Public Safety Committee

The Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee will meet remotely to review minutes, receive updates on the 2026-2027 Winter Warming Shelter, opt-in notifications for cruise ship outbreaks, and a public safety update from the police chief. The agenda includes no votes or public hearings, only staff updates and discussion.

• Update on 2026-2027 Winter Warming Emergency Shelter partner selection
• Verbal update on opt-in alerts for cruise ship outbreak notifications
• Public safety update and discussion of policy options
• Review and approval of minutes from July 14, 2026