Inside City Hall

Chris O'Neil, City Liaison

The Chamber is involved in many aspects of public policy at City Hall. This newsletter keeps you abreast of what we see coming, and helps you understand what you might have missed in the papers. It also gives you connections for getting involved, or for merely sharing your opinion.

Via this newsletter I encourage you to also keep me informed.

Elected Mayor Proposal Teed Up for November Voter Approval

The first Portland Charter Commission since the 1980s has completed its work. The group has done a good job at updating the charter, and at deliberating the pros and cons of changes in powers and duties for City officials. The Chamber believes that the changes will be good for Portland. Voters will be asked November 2 to approve questions that create a popularly elected mayor, a revised school committee, and several technical updates to the charter. The mayoral model is neither about creating a "strong" nor a "weak" mayor.  The city manager will remain as the professional administrator of the quarter-billion dollar enterprise that is Portland government. Under this model, the community will be able to engage in months of discourse with candidates for mayor. Those candidates will have the chance to articulate their ideas and the community will be have the opportunity to choose the mayor.  This new political mandate issued by voters and vested in the mayor is expected to better inform City Officials as to policy matters.  See these changes here.  If they are approved by voters November 2, Portland's first mayoral election would be in November, 2011.

The Chamber Scorecard

When it comes to important economic indicators, how do you get through all the opinions to know with certainty just where Portland ranks?  Check out our latest project:

The Chamber Scorecard.

This information about the Portland economy will inform elected officials in City Hall, Augusta, and Washington.  And we plan to update it every year.

City Information Tool

Portland Cityline is an easy way for residents, businesses and visitors of Portland to receive periodic updates on city government activities. By simply signing up online, you can receive the latest information. Find out about traffic alerts, changes to trash and recycling pick-up schedules, public meetings, recreation activities and much more.

Know your City Councilors?

In which Council District are you located? Click here to see the map. Want to get in touch with Councilors to thank them, invite them to your business, or provide input? Find out here how to get in touch with them.

City Calendar

Wondering when that Planning Board or City Council meeting is? What's on an agenda? Check out the City's calendar.

Ask The City

The City has an online service called eContact. It allows citizens quick and easy access to information and specific information requests. Check it out Here.

Opportunities for Chamber Members to Improve Business Climate

Please feel free to circulate this among employees.  

The Chamber has successfully advocated for an economic development focus to be restored to Portland's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. That has not been met with universal approval, and there is now sentiment in town to reduce or eliminate businesses from consideration for CDBG funding.  Want to ensure this economic development tool remains an option? There are four openings on the CDBG Allocations Committee.  See below if you or your employees can do this.  Note also the other positions available:

City of Portland

Volunteer Opportunities

Board and Commissions

 Board of Appeals - 2 positions

Responsibilities:  Assists in the administration of the City's Zoning ordinance by reviewing decisions of the Building Inspector, approving conditional uses and granting variances.  The Board functions in a quasi-judicial capacity and members must be able to hold public hearings, make findings of fact and conclusions of law based upon applicable state and local zoning laws, and issue written decisions setting forth their findings and conclusions. 

Board of Assessment Review - 2 positions

Responsibilities:  The Board has power to grant property tax abatements pursuant to state law and to determine the tax exempt status of real and personal property. It functions in a quasi- judicial capacity and members must be able to hold public hearings, make findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with state law, and issue written decisions setting forth their findings and conclusions.

Qualifications: Members need the background necessary to be able to determine the value of real and personal property.  Members should be familiar with the several geographical areas of the City, e.g. the waterfront, downtown, Munjoy Hill, Deering, etc. 

CDBG Allocation Committee - 2 positions

The City of Portland receives approximately $2.1 million annually of federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Community Development Block Grant.  This group's task will be to review and score funding applications for the CDBG program, and make recommendations to the City Council for the allocation of CDBG resources.

Responsibilities: Thoroughly review and score each funding application based upon identified priorities and agreed upon scoring criteria. As a result of deliberation and scoring, make recommendations for resource allocations to the City Manager and to the City Council, both in writing and in person at a scheduled Council Meeting.

Qualifications: The City is looking for a diverse group of Portland residents who are fair-minded and analytical. Background or knowledge of accounting or finance a plus. In order to minimize conflict of interest, no staff, board members, contractors or anyone receiving financial gain from an applicant's proposal can participate on this committee.

Creative Portland Corporation (1 Creative Enterprise Sector, 1 Creative Organization, 1 Artist, and 1 Real Estate position)

The Creative Portland Corporation (CPC) is a newly established non-profit organization created to receive donations, grants, and contributions in support of and to assist the City of Portland's economic development efforts which enhance, support, and create creative economy business and arts district development and employment opportunities.

The Board of Directors shall consist of thirteen individuals, two of which shall be ex officio members (the Mayor or City Council member, and the City Manager or designee associated with the Economic Development Division). Qualifications: three representatives from each private creative category (creative enterprises, creative organizations, and artists), and two members representing higher education and real estate.  All Directors, with the exception of the ex officio members, must be either residents of, own a business located in, or work in the City of Portland.

Downtown Portland Corporation - 1 position

Responsibilities:  Institute economic development programs in the Portland area to insure compliance to City's goals, objectives and requirements.  Review loan and underwriting applications for financing programs. Qualifications: Some or all of the following experience is required: commercial financing, small business operations, commercial real estate, marketing, and have an interest or be active in economic development.  Residency in Portland not required.

Historic Preservation - 3 Positions

Responsibilities: The Historic Preservation Board has jurisdiction to review and approve applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations, site improvements and new construction affecting Portland's designated landmarks, buildings and sites within historic districts and historic landscape districts.  The Board also makes recommendations to the Planning Board and City Council concerning amendments to the historic preservation ordinance and the designation of additional landmarks, historic districts, and historic landscape districts.

Qualifications:  Members shall have demonstrated interest, knowledge, ability, experience, or expertise in restoration, rehabilitation, or neighborhood conservation or revitalization and shall be residents of the City of Portland.

Terms: Members are appointed for terms of 3 years and may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.

Meetings: The Historic Preservation Board meets on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 5:00.

Portland Fish Exchange A - 1 position

Portland Fish Exchange B - 1 position

Portland Fish Exchange C - 1 position

Additional information is available in the City Clerk's office, on the City's website at www.portlandmaine.gov or at 874-8677.  Deadline for submission is September 17, 2010.  Please send a resume and cover letter to Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o Linda C. Cohen, City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or lcc@portlandmaine.gov. Applicants will be contacted for interviews.

Chris O'Neil has a Government Relations Consulting practice at Drummond Woodsum. He has represented the Portland Community Chamber at City Hall since 2006.
Contact Chris.