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City Hall·South Portland·Agenda

City Council Meeting

Tue Oct 13, 2026, 6:30 PMPosted by the city; shown as written, nothing added
  • A. OPENING OF THE MEETING
    • 1. Pledge & Roll Call
    • 2. Acceptance of Minutes
  • B. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
    • 1. Comprehensive Plan Two-Year Zoning Compliance Schedule
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER On April 21, 2026 the City Council adopted the South Portland 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The adopted plan was submitted to the State for final certification and was deemed consistent with the requirements of the Growth Management Law on June 26, 2026. The Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) now shifts into its implementation phase. State law requires the City’s zoning ordinance to be consistent with its adopted Comprehensive Plan. (Existing zoning provisions that conflict with a newly adopted Comprehensive Plan may remain in effect for up to 24 months following adoption of the Plan, giving the City two years to bring those provisions into consistency.)
    • 2. Energy Management Seminar for Businesses
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER The Economic Development Department is hosting a 3-part Energy Management Seminar for Businesses. We are pleased to be working with a local expert energy consultant team on the series to help our businesses understand options for saving money on energy consumption and costs.
    • 3. City Clerk's Extended Hours for Election Services Only
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY CLERK The City Clerk's Office shall offer extended hours for Election Services Only. This will provide members of the public additional opportunities to Register to Vote, In person Absentee, or pick up/drop off Absentee Ballots in the evening and weekends leading up to Election Day.
  • C. APPOINTMENT CALENDAR
    • 1. ORDER #52-23/24 - Board of Assessment Review, District Five (Tipton), for an unexpired term that expires December 31, 2026. Passage requires majority vote.
    • 2. ORDER #22-25/26 Open Space Acquisition Committee, District Three (Pride) for a term that expires September 30, 2028. Passage Required Majority Vote.
    • 3. ORDER #32-25/26 - Historic Preservation Committee, (Tipton), for an unexpired term that expires January 31, 2028. Passage requires majority vote.
    • 4. ORDER #94-25/26 - Landcare Management Advisory Committee, Resident, District Two (Coleman) unexpired term ending January 30, 2028. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
    • 5. ORDER #99-25/26 - Historic Preservation Committee, District Three (Pride), for a term that expires January 31, 2029. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
    • 6. ORDER #136-25/26- Mahoney City Center Committee, Neighborhood Representative, (Mayoral Appointment) to fill vacancy. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Current Vacancy: Lisa Maxfield resigned January 22, 2026
    • 7. ORDER #137-25/26- Affordable Housing Committee, District Three (Pride) Landlord's Association/ South Portland Landlord for an unexpired term that expires December 30, 2026. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Current vacancy: Michael Duvernay resigned on January 17, 2026
    • 8. ORDER #159-25/26 - Waste Reduction Committee, District Five (Tipton), for a term that expires May 4, 2029. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent not seek reappointment.
    • 9. ORDER #160-25/26 - Waste Reduction Committee, District At Large (Matthews), for a term that expires May 4, 2029. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent not seek reappointment.
    • 10. ORDER #191-25/26 - Board of Appeals, District Three (Pride), for a term that expires July 23, 2029. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent not seek reappointment.
    • 11. ORDER #194-25/26 - South Portland Board of Education, District Five Member, (City Council Appointment), for an Unexpired Term. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Pursuant to South Portland City Charter [Sec.] 904 Vacancy. Whenever a vacancy in the school board occurs the vacancy may be filled by a majority vote of all the members of the city council and the member so elected shall serve until the next regular municipal election when a new member shall be elected to fill the vacancy.
    • 12. ORDER #228-25/26 - Affordable Housing Committee, Private Sector Housing Developer, District One (Scott), for an unexpired term that expires December 30, 2027. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      Current vacancy: Kate Weidnerr resigned June 4, 2026.
    • 13. ORDER #19-26/27 - Human Rights Commission, Resident Member, Mayoral Appointment (Tipton) for a term that expires October 6, 2029. Passage requires majority vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent did not seek reappointment.
    • 14. ORDER #20-26/27 Human Rights Commission, District At Large (Matthews) for a term that expires October 6, 2029. Passage requires majority vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent did not seek reappointment.
    • 15. ORDER #21-26/27 - Open Space Acquisition Committee, District At-Large (Matthews), for a term that expires September 30, 2029. Passage requires majority vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent did not seek reappointment.
    • 16. ORDER #23-26/27 Open Space Acquisition Committee, District Five (Tipton) for a term that expires September 30, 2029. Passage requires majority vote.
      Current vacancy: Incumbent did not seek reappointment.
    • 17. ORDER # 33 26/27 Comprehensive Planning Committee, Advisory Member, (Mayoral Appointment), unexpired term expiring September 30, 2027.
    • 18. ORDER # 34 26/27 Civil Service Commission, District Three (Pride) for an unexpired term that expires February 28, 2029. Passage requires majority vote.
      Current vacancy: Joseph Wannemacher resigned August 11, 2026
    • 19. ORDER #44-26/27 Historic Preservation Committee, South Portland Historical Society Representative, District At Large (Matthews), unexpired term expiring January 31, 2028.
      Current vacancy: Kathryn DiPhilippo resigned October 2, 2026.
    • 20. ORDER #45-26/27 Library Advisory Board, District Two (Coleman) term expiring December 30, 2029.
      Anticipated vacancy: Term ending December 30, 2026 Incumbent has not confirmed if seeking reappointment.
    • 21. ORDER #46-26/27 Board of Health, (City Council Appointment) term expiring December 2, 2029.
      Anticipated vacancy: Term ending December 2, 2026 Incumbent has not confirmed if seeking reappointment.
    • 22. ORDER #47-26/27 Board of Assessment Review, District One (Scott) term expiring December 30, 2029.
      Anticipated vacancy: Term ending December 30, 2026 Incumbent has not confirmed if seeking reappointment.
    • 23. ORDER #48-26/27 Historic Preservation Committee, District One (Scott) term expiring January 1, 2030.
      Anticipated vacancy: Term ending January 1, 2027 Incumbent will not be seeking reappointment. Postpone the Appointment Calendar (Items 1-23) to October 27, 2026 City Council Meeting.
  • D. CONSENT CALENDAR
    • 1. ORDER #157-24/25 - Comprehensive Plan Committee, Joel Harfield, Member, District Three (Pride), for a term that expires September 30, 2029. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
    • 2. ORDER #210-25/26 - Economic Development Committee, Jake Thomas, District Three (Pride), for an unexpired term that expires March 22, 2028. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
    • 3. ORDER #216-25/26 - Planning Board, Stephanie Carver, District Three (Pride), for an unexpired term that expires March 31, 2027. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
    • 4. ORDER #9-26/27 - Community Development Advisory Committee, Chrissy Hart, District Three (Pride), for an unexpired term that expires January 14, 2028. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
    • 5. ORDER #49-26/27 Award of RFP #08-27/Call for Artists - Greenbelt Art Trail Mural in the amount of $1,200 each for 4 Artists. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER This item is brought forward by the Public Arts Committee to award four Artists $1,200 each for the Call for Artists - Greenbelt Art Trail Mural Project (RFP#8-27). The Call for Artists was published on the City's Bid Page and promoted in the City's newsletter. The City received 18 submissions. The Public Arts Committee met at their public monthly meeting on Sept. 15th, 2026 to review the submissions and recommend the Council award the bids to the 4 awardees listed below.
    • Awardees Recommended By The Pac:
  • E. CITIZEN DISCUSSION (PART I)
    Members of the public will be given up to 3 minutes to speak on any item on or off the agenda during Citizens Discussion Part I. Members of the public who spoke on any agenda item (including workshops) will not be able to speak on that item again during this time. Members who spoke during Citizen Discussion Part I will not be able to speak during Citizen Discussion Part II.
    • Reminders:
  • F. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION
    • 1. ORDER #52-26-27 - Adopting the MMA Model Ordinance GA Appendices A-H for the period of October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER State law requires every Maine municipality to administer a General Assistance (GA) program in accordance with State law and locally adopted ordinance provisions. The program provides assistance to eligible individuals and families experiencing financial hardship for basic necessities such as housing, food, utilities, heating fuel, medication, personal and household supplies, and other essential needs.
    • 2. ORDER #53-26/27 - Granting Il Forno LLC, located at 333 Clarks Pond Pkwy STE 11 , a Food Establishment with Alcohol, Restaurant with Malt and/or Vinous license. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY CLERK Il Forno LLC, 333 Clarks Pond Pkwy STE 11, is a new Food Establishment seeking approval for a Liquor license. The license application has been circulated and there are no objections from Police, Fire, and Code Enforcement. A notice of the public hearing has been placed as been placed as required by ordinance. No objections have been received by the public at this time.
    • 3. ORDER #54-26/27 - Granting Azteca Mexican Restaurant LLC, located at 1422 Broadway, a Food Establishment with Alcohol, Class A Lounge license. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY CLERK Azteca Mexican Restautant LLC, 1422 Broadway, is a new Food Establishment seeking approval for a Liquor license. The license application has been circulated and there are no objections from Police, Fire, and Code Enforcement. A notice of the public hearing has been placed as required by ordinance. No objections have been received by the public at this time.
  • G. ACTION ON OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
    • 1. RESOLVE #4-26/27 - Adopting a Municipal EMS Plan in accordance with 30-A M.R.S 3172. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER The Maine Legislature enacted 30-A M.R.S. § 3172, requiring every municipality to formally identify how transporting emergency medical services will be provided within the community. Maine EMS has issued guidance establishing the process for municipalities to comply with this requirement.
    • 2. RESOLVE #5-26/27 - Resolve Appropriating $125,000 from the Transit-Oriented Tax Increment Financing District to Support Expanded Bus Service in the City's West End. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER The attached resolve appropriates $125,000 from the recently expired Transit-Oriented Tax Increment Financing (TOTIF) District to begin a new fixed-route bus service in the City's west end. The TOTIF district was terminated earlier this year when the Texas Instruments TIF was modified and extended to become the Transit-Oriented Growth and Infrastructure (TOGI) TIF District, and the former district has a remaining uncommitted balance of ~$174,000 that must be expended by the end of FY29. All of this balance is eligible to be spent on operating costs for new and expanded transit services.
    • 3. ORDER #55-26/27 Amending the City's Master Fee Schedule (Schedule of License, Permit, Inspection, and Application Fees). Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER The proposed Order updates the City’s Master Fee Schedule to reflect several administrative changes, new fees associated with the recently adopted Minor Development Site Plan process, and revised inspection-related penalties.
    • 4. ORDER #56-26/27 - Adopting a City Curbside Food Waste Collection Service. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER At its September 15 workshop, the City Council reviewed four potential waste-management approaches. Three of the options paired a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) program with curbside food waste collection, and the fourth option proposed the introduction of a curbside food waste collection service without PAYT. A majority of Councilors supported moving forward with a curbside food waste collection program without a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) component and requested additional information comparing an opt-in versus opt-out approach.
    • 5. ORDINANCE #6-26/27 - Amending Chapter 5, "Buildings", regarding updates to the Permit Delay Division and other miscellaneous clerical updates. First Reading. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER At a City Council workshop on March 26, 2024, the Planning Division and Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) presented challenges with the current Permit Delay (for historic resources) process and potential solutions (see Att. 2 for a list of the challenges that were presented). The City Council provided guidance on revisions to the ordinance that have been in development.
    • • Notably, Planning staff included an extended financial incentive by making any permit application fee that is submitted on a property listed on the City's Inventory as eligible for the waiver in perpetuity. Permit fee reductions would need to be approved by the HPC to ensure that proposed work does not impact resources. Projects that are successfully listed are processed in priority sequence. At the September 14, 2026 HPC public meeting, Planning staff reviewed the proposed Ordinance Amendment with the Committee. At its October 5, 2026 meeting the HPC voted to provide the attached letter to the City Council with a recommendation for a change to the trigger date of the permit hold process. The HPC recommends applying the permit hold process to structures older than 50 years rather than structures older than 1941. The HPC letter also draws attention to the extended 100% permit fee waiver proposed by staff as it would make all permit applications on a site potentially eligible for a fee reduction. Minutes for both meetings are attached.
    • 6. ORDINANCE #7-26/27 - Amending Chapter 27, "Zoning", regarding a Zoning Text Amendment to amend building coverage allowance in the Light Industrial Zoning District - 200 John Roberts Rd (PID 2366). First Reading. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER ElleVet Sciences is seeking a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Section 27-904 for the Light Industrial (IL) Zoning District to change the building coverage allowance from 30% to at 40%. The Planning Board held a duly-noticed public hearing on Ordinance #7-26/27 on September 23, 2026 and unanimously recommended approval of the amendment (5-0). The draft Planning Board minutes are attached.
    • 7. ORDER #57-26/27 - Award RFP #04-27 (Development Partner for Mahoney City Center Project) to Developers Collaborative of Portland, Maine. Requires Majority Vote.
      The City Council authorized the Mahoney City Center Committee (M3C) to explore alternative redevelopment approaches for the historic Mahoney building, including a possible public/private partnership (P3). The M3C’s P3 Subcommittee issued a Request for Proposals in July and interviewed three development firms.
    • 8. ORDER #58-26/27 - Acceptance and Appropriation of Grants, Gifts & Donations. Passage Requires Majority Vote.
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY CLERK Accepting and appropriating grants, gifts, and donations made to the City of South Portland. Parks, Recreation and Waterfront received $1,000 for Bug Light Park from Mercury Production Services LLC. Sustainability Department received the Maine Department of Environmental Protection awarded the City $20,058 through the FY26 Solid Waste Diversion Program - Round 1 Grant for Environmental Services.
  • H. WORKSHOP DISCUSSION
    • 1. Ordinance Prohibiting City Staff from Cooperating with Federal Immigration Enforcement Officials Except When Lawfully Required
      POSITION PAPER OF THE CITY MANAGER On September 8, 2026, Mayor Tipton requested, and at least two other Councilors supported, a workshop to discuss adoption of an ordinance that would prohibit City staff from participating with federal immigration enforcement officials, except where legally required.
  • I. CITIZEN DISCUSSION (PART II)
    Members of the public will be given up to 3 minutes to speak on any item on or off the agenda during Citizens Discussion Part I. Members of the public who spoke on any agenda item (including workshops) will not be able to speak on that item again during this time. Members who spoke during Citizen Discussion Part I will not be able to speak during Citizen Discussion Part II.
  • J. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY MANAGER
  • K. COUNCILOR'S ROUND ROBIN
  • L. EXECUTIVE SESSION

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South Portland meetings portal
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