Portland Council approves FY2027 school budget, defers city budget to June

[4:37] Mark Dion: I call the council to order. Could you join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Clerk will call the roll. [4:59] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Councillor Fournier? Here. Councillor Grant? Here. Councillor Sykes? Absent. Councillor Ali? Absent. Councillor Pelletier? Absent. Absent. Councillor McNavidge? Here. Councillor Bullett? Here. Councillor Phillips? [5:13] Mark Dion: Absent. Mayor Dionne? Here. Chair, we'll now entertain public comment on non-agended items. [5:23] Public commenter: Good evening, folks. I wish there were more people here tonight. Joey Brunel, Pine Street. I live right around the corner from the Trelawney Building at 655 Congress. And for the last, I don't know, two years, I think, it's been covered on the Congress Street side by steel pipe scaffolding and plastic sheeting from ground to top floor. It's like eight stories. Apparently this is there because the owner, Jeffrey Rice, is repairing the masonry. What I don't understand is why this work has not yet been completed after over two years. It's not just an eyesore, it's a massive public safety hazard. I'll let residents of the Trolley describe the nightmare this has created for them on the inside, blotting out the sun and letting in all kinds of toxic material, but I want to describe what the experience is like at ground level for folks in the neighborhood like me. Most obviously, the scaffolding makes navigating the sidewalk difficult and quite likely impossible if you're in a wheelchair or using a mobility device. It's also made the businesses at ground level, like Bang Salon, totally invisible. This multi-year scaffolding is killing these small, locally owned businesses. We lament that downtown isn't what it used to be. Maybe this is part of why? Most urgently, it has turned that part of the sidewalk into a walled hallway, completely dark at night, and it's downright scary to walk through the jungle of pipes after dark because you don't know who's going to be lurking inside there. And this is under the scaffolding trying to get home a few nights ago. Another person was assaulted some time ago. Across the street a new drug operation has opened up and they're doing a lot of business shielded by the scaffolding, particularly at night. Another commenter. Not so well-meaning people use it to harass and threaten people that are basically funneled through there. Tenants have complained about people staying further up the scaffolding outside their windows. Something must be done here. I do not accept that there's nothing the city can do to protect the public. This simply cannot be true. Here are some questions I think need to be asked immediately for starters. Has Mr. Rice gotten a sidewalk occupancy permit for the scaffolding? How about a historic preservation permit? Has he submitted a plan to the city for this work? Is there a timeline in those plans that we can hold him to? Can we declare the scaffolding a public nuisance or a public safety hazard? Can we get a court injunction to demand Mr. Rice complete this work or take down the scaffolding ideally both oh okay the Trelawney tenants should not have to pay for mr. Rice's negligence the neighborhood and pedestrians and small business owners should also not have to pay for his negligence mr. Rice is the only person who should shoulder the risk this responsibility and it's up to you all to hold him to it thank you anyone else [7:57] Mark Dion: wishing to provide public comment on an unagended item? [8:07] Public commenter: My name is Christina Winter and my address is 43 Chenery Street. I wish to describe the extremely dangerous situation that began on May 12th when thousands of cars and trucks began exiting Ocean Avenue onto Chenery Street according to the traffic control plan for the Hershey Street sewer separation project. The map from that plan and the TCP requirements are here. I've brought copies. I'm asking the city immediately, before someone is hurt or killed, to close Ocean Avenue between Forrest and Walton Street, allowing local traffic only pursuant to city code section 25-121D, to install speed monitoring and radar speed signs on Chenery, to place police both at both ends of the excavation site to monitor traffic and safety of pedestrians, and to revise the TCP with an opportunity for public comment before the plan is approved. An average of 6,807 seven vehicles drive on Ocean Avenue past the intersection between Chenery Street. These vehicles are now turning onto Chenery without stopping, barreling down Chenery Street well above 25 miles per hour, zigzagging and swerving between anything and anyone, including parents with strollers, dog walkers, bicyclists, scooters, one of my neighbors who uses a wheelchair, and school children walking to the bus stop at the corner of Ocean and Chenery, as well as parked cars. The majority of Chenery Street has either one or no sidewalks on either side of the street, including the first 300 feet at the corner of Ocean and Chenery, where the vehicles are turning and where the school bus stop is located. My neighbors are all sharing stories of near misses that they have experienced or witnessed, and I take photos and videos of these daily. In just six days, the surge of traffic has also begun tearing up the road, creating fields of potholes. At a neighborhood meeting on December 4th, 2024, to introduce the Hershey Street project, attendees were told that during the project, quote, Ocean Avenue will be a one way from Walton Street to Forest Avenue. That turns out not to be true. The traffic control plan, this, shows that the only section of Ocean Avenue that is closed is at the excavation site itself. Traffic control plans for excavation in Portland must clearly show the routing of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, around the work zone, and if a detour is required, it must show the entire planned route. The Hershey TCP does not show the routing of detours or pedestrians and looks nothing like the professional traffic control plan that the City of Portland expects. The TCP violates the city code sections 25-121, subsections A and C, which require that while an excavation is occurring, protective measures and the routing of traffic must include both safe crossing for vehicles and pedestrians, and measures to assure that traffic conditions are as near normal as possible at all times. Finally, the TCP violates the complete streets policy adopted by the Portland City Council on August 25, 2025, to ensure that all users of a street, of all ages and abilities, using all modes of transportation, are considered when looking at construction activities that affect the streets and the public right of way. My Chenery neighbors and myself would appreciate immediate relief from these intensely hazardous conditions. Next speaker. Hello. Good evening. My name is Celine. I'm a Saline. I'm a tenant over in East Deering. I used to live over in Parkside and I'm a proud member of the Portland Tenants Union and I'm here on behalf of the PTU as well as the Trelawney Tenants Union to talk more about the situation with the Trelawney building just as Joey has talked about. I wanted to share a bit of some testimonials from the actual residents of the building. They have not received any sort of compensation from Mr. Rice throughout the whole process of this construction and this renovation. It was actually the TTU that pressured Mr. Rice into starting this project in the first place. They were the ones who complained about the crumbling masonry and yet he has dragged his feet on this renovation project for far too long. I personally cannot remember a time where that scaffolding is not up on that building, has not been up there on the building and on the sidewalk and as long with this we have pictures and testimonials from tenants in the Trelawney building of lead dust entering the units through the windows and in response to this Mr. Rice has put up scaffolding and tarps inside the units taking away from the livable space of the units and obstructing window access which I'm particularly concerned about this time of year as the weather is starting to warm up. These units are very liable to become ovens inside, as well as the whole issue with lead dust in there. As far as I'm concerned, there is really no acceptable amount of lead dust in there. I believe that Mr. Rice had some people come and test it, and they said it was safe. However, I don't know if those were city people or just some private team of contractors and whatever. So we want to who asked for more oversight with this renovation and we want to double check that he actually has the permits for that scaffolding and we ask that if he does not have the permits that he be fined accordingly as well as being fined for just kind of the gross negligence that's been occurring throughout this whole process. Thank you. Next speaker. Hello, I'm Clara Thompson. I live over on the west end by the hospital. I've been living here for about three years now, and as long as I can remember it, that scaffolding has been there covering the Trelawney building. And a lot of times I can't drive, so oftentimes I'll take the bus or walk home from wherever I am in the downtown area. Walking home, trying to pass through that area, it's scary going through that. You can't see much. You don't know who can jump out at you. And also, like, imagine the tourists feel the same way. They're coming here during the summer and wanting to spend a great time in Portland, and then you have this massive mess of pipes. Who knows what's going on in there? Or they have to get through to get to the other side of town. The cars can go on the other side, but oftentimes they're too scared to cross the street. So they'll either go through the mess of pipes or mess of roads to get to that side of town. And I think with all the small business in there, I didn't know half those places were there for the three years I've been living here. It'd be nice to know that there's a barbershop or salon there so I can get my hair cut or a bookstore I can visit. But I didn't know because of all that scaffolding. Even just for the sake of the tenants there, like, they deserve to live in a good and safe place that isn't being mismanaged by the building's owner, and just things like that can show to a lot of people that city council can do things that would make people's lives better. I'm sure y'all don't probably have the best reputation for some people for certain reasons, but this would definitely help a lot if you can do some help and get this done. That's how much I got to say, thank [Mark Dion: YOU. Next speaker.] I live on Concord Street. This is related to two items of interest that are potential projects in the future. First is the repair or replacement of the Lincoln Middle School HVAC system, which the school department recently announced would be two to six million dollars more than originally planned, and also secondly the conversion of the city owned property on Cumberland Avenue for other uses. I just wanted you to consider this little anecdote. In my neighborhood, Deering Center, we have a church which has deteriorated, a deteriorated bell tower. It has been an unsightly mess, wrapped in plastic for seven or eight years, probably longer. Last week, my husband had a conversation with the treasurer of this church. The reason the repair has been delayed is because they've gotten quotes that were impossible for them to meet and they could not do the job. The first quote was for $1,300,000. It was for a complete rebuild of the tower. A few years later, they got a second quote, $750,000. It was still impossible for them to raise that much money. Again, they couldn't have what they wanted. Very recently, they got another engineer to evaluate the problem. It was determined that the basic structure is intact and the only repair necessary is to remove the surface stones, replace the inferior mortar that had been used and put the stones back in place. The estimate for this is $12,000. I just wanted you to be aware that there are ways to save money and they are by being thorough and waiting to spend what you can afford thank you anyone [17:17] Mark Dion: else wishing to provide public comment on an unagended item [17:23] Public commenter: steven sharpe for brackistry i'm glad to see we now have six members of the council here it would be helpful to know why three of them are not here i am want to follow up on the part of what miss cope just spoke about and that is the 353 Cumberland Avenue project that was on your radar, and the concept of doing something with 353 Cumberland Avenue, the school's central office building, is still on your radar. Thankfully, the finance committee killed probably the dumbest project that could have come down the pike, and that was to use it as a family shelter and to take our family shelter from about 42 units to 49 units. We only have 12 families currently utilizing our family shelter. That made no sense at all. But that building was not even an ideal spot, it was a terrible spot to move a family shelter to. And the cost to do so was astronomically high and also the reference to the cost on an annual basis was incorrect it actually would cost 5.6 million dollars on an annual basis not the 4.8 that was quoted in your documents but we need a thorough look at that building and we need to like say that building really isn't designed for anything the city of Portland wants to do and we need to find an outside buyer to take the property and do something that's useful with the property NOT USE IT AS Property that we throw something in just because it's there. [19:19] Mark Dion: Anyone else wishing to provide public comment on an unagended item? [19:27] Public commenter: Good afternoon, Council and Mr. Mayor. This is an honor to stand in front of you today. My name is Solan Stretat, originally from Cameron in Africa. I came to the United States of America in 2001, leaving my two-year-old son in Cameron. After I received my legal document, I applied for my son to join me. My fiancé was also supposed to join us, unfortunately he passed away three weeks before he could join us. At that time, when I became a single mother, I started to feel the difficulties that parents feel finding a suitable daycare to leave their children to look for a job. I work as a community health worker for Northern Light Mercy Hospital for the underserved population of the greater Portland area. Many parents in Maine do not have the opportunity to leave their children in the safe and trustworthy environment to find employment. It is very difficult and complicated for some parents to find a care that will charge them little or no money to keep their children. This makes me sad because those mothers can work as caretakers and their children for their children and the children entrusted to them and succeed in the job. My proposal is to have the City of Portland open a daycare that will employ some of the women and train them for the role requested from them. In almost 90 of the women I've worked with, at least 40 of them are capable to run a daycare and to alleviate the burden of other mothers. While also offering multilingual services and teaching the children to speak different languages. This role will also allow them to bring their children with them while they work. With the salary they will receive, they will be able to afford to pay their rent and food without always relying on general assistance. This will cut the percentage of unemployment and reduce the level of poverty in the city. It takes a courageous single mother to be able to find an employment that will encourage her to bring a child with her to work and to be able to succeed. It took me to work two to three jobs to keep food on my table and shelter for my son and myself and especially to keep him in school. Imagine the city of Portland opening a daycare center and allow these women to work and do what they do best, taking care of children. This is a proposal that will boost the economy of the city and set an example for other cities to be the same, to do the same. This holds a place deep in my heart because I went through the same difficulties these women are going through today. In a place where I can advocate for them and help them find a solution for their burden. Thank you so much. Next speaker. Members of the City Council, my name is Nathalie Mbouye. I came from the Democratic Republic of Congo and I'm proud to call Portland home since 2023. As a housing navigator at Project Home, I go into homes others do not see. And what I found there is why I stand before you today. In Portland, families are paying the majority of their income just for rent and getting back homes that are making their children sick with late pains, mold, and pests that no one should have to live with. I have met parents who signed contracts they couldn't not read. Children diagnosed with hearing loss, language delays, developmental disabilities, conditions that were preventable, detected too late, or never detected at all. Not because the resources do not exist, because no one ever told these families in a language they understand that help was available. This is not a housing crisis. This is a public health emergency, and the distance between what exists and who it reaches is costing children their futures. We ask for two things. First, launch a citywide late pain awareness campaign. The remediation grant program exists but too many landlords do not know it and too many tenants do not know they can demand it. Bring this message to immigrant communities, hospitals, schools and clinics. Recruit most certified lead contractors including from immigrant communities so the workforce matches the need and distribute free lead dust test kits to all households receiving a city housing vouchers, putting detection directly in the hands of the people most at risk. Second, bring support directly into communities. These families do not need more website. They need trusted people in their language at their door. Fund community organizations already doing this work to serve as bridges between city services and the families who cannot navigate them alone. Proximities is policy. These families are not asking for charity, they are asking for what every human being deserves, a home that does not make them sick. The solution exists. The will to act is all that is needed. Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Councillors and City Manager and staff. My name is Tom Blackburn. I am the executive director of the Bayside Opportunity Center as well as the president of the Bayside Neighborhood Association. We had planned to have a number of supporters here that would speak to the council in the public comment period. However, recognizing that the school budget and the municipal budget next meeting are being deliberated, we felt that it would be better to delay our proposal to a time when you don't have as much on your agenda. As many of you know, the Bayside Opportunity Center has attempted several times to access 28 Portland Street, which is currently occupied by the Portland School Department. All of All of these efforts have been refused because the school department doesn't have the time or because there's a legal opinion that says that they can't sell it or transfer it to a non-school use. We in our due diligence process have identified a path around that, which is a service provider agreement. The Bayside Opportunity Center is perplexed at the opposition that we are receiving to develop a community center in Bayside. West End has the Reiki Center. The Monjoy Hill has the East End Community Center. Riverton has the Riverton Community Center. Deering has the Stevens Square, and Peaks Island has the Peaks Island Center. What we're proposing would be a significant asset to the city of Portland and a great benefit to the constituents of Bayside who are principally new Americans. The BOC would resolve any outstanding environmental issues that exist, and we would be responsible for remodeling the space. And the Bayside Opportunity Center is prepared to pay to the city or the school department, whoever is the recipient, the same amount of rent or contributions that the Reiki Center pays, the East End pays, the Riverton pays to the landlords. Bayside only wants what other neighborhoods have for our tax-paying citizens and residents. We don't want a day shelter, nor do we want a warming shelter for others who contribute little or nothing to Portland's economy or social fabric. And I doubt that any of you, based with what the Bayside residents experience on a daily basis, would tolerate that in their neighborhoods. [28:42] Mark Dion: Anyone else wishing to provide public comment on a non-agenda item? Seeing none, public comment period is closed. Any announcements from the council? Chair would seek a motion to approve the minutes of the May 4th meeting. [29:06] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): So moved. Second. Moved by [29:08] Mark Dion: Councillor Forney, seconded by Councillor Michniewicz. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by hand. It's unanimous. Clerk will read by title only Proclamation 232526. [29:29] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Proclamation 232526, recognizing South Portland resident Juliet Shane for her work to significantly improve tracking of arrivals and departures at the Portland International Jetport, sponsored by Mark Dion, Mayor. [29:43] Mark Dion: Chair will yield to Councilor Grant. [29:47] Benjamin Grant: Whereas residents and visitors are fortunate to have a major airport, the Portland International Jetport, in close proximity to downtown Portland and surrounding communities, and whereas for decades it has been established policy that arrivals and departures should follow FAA approved flight paths over water to the extent that safe operations permit, considering visibility, wind speed and direction, and other air traffic, and whereas deviations from flight paths over water produce noise levels in residential areas and affect the quality of life in a number of nearby neighborhoods, including Portland's island communities. And whereas the process for reporting flight deviations has placed a burden on residents to file complaints on the jet port's website, and whereas noise complaints can be subjective and difficult to analyze, both residents and jet port management have recognized the need for a consistent data-based tracking system. And whereas Juliette Shane, with technical assistance from her sister Catherine Reed, a resident of Houston, Texas, at no expense to the jet port, and in collaboration with jet port management, developed a system that inputs all arrival and departure flight tracks and weather conditions to determine which flights deviate from approved noise-compatible flight paths. And whereas it is believed that this tracking system, which is in the process of being implemented by the jet port, will significantly improve adherence to approve noise compatible flight paths and reduce noise impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Now therefore be it resolved that Mark Dion, Mayor of the City of Portland, Maine and members of the City Council do hereby recognize and commend Juliette Shane for her efforts to reduce noise impacts on our community and extend our deepest gratitude for her proactive efforts to ensure that airlines serving the Portland International Jet Sport utilize APPROVED NOISE-COMPATIBLE FLIGHT PATHS WHEN SAFE AIR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ALLOW. SIGNED AND SEALED THIS 18TH DAY OF MAY, 2026, BY MARK DYON, MAYOR. [31:49] Mark Dion: IS MS. SHANE HERE? PLEASE COME FORWARD. COUNCIL GRANT WILL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION. THIS COUNCIL EXPRESSES OUR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR PRO BONO WORK. CHAIRWOOD, NOW I'LL TAKE PROCLAMATION 362526 OUT OF ORDER. read title only. [32:32] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Proclamation 362526 recognizing May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month sponsored by Mark Dion Mayer. Chair will yield to Council Bullitt. Proclamation recognizing May [32:44] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month. Whereas Jewish American Heritage Month is observed during the month of May to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions of generations of Jewish Americans who helped weave the fabric of American history, culture, and society, and to recognize the continued contributions of the American Jewish community today, and whereas Jewish American Heritage Month acknowledges achievements of the American Jewish community in various fields, including sports, arts, entertainment, medicine, business, science, government, military service, music, and more, and whereas the rich heritage of the Jewish American community is marked by its dedication to strengthening religious freedom and civil rights, promoting empathy, compassion, and rejecting ignorance and intolerance. And whereas during Jewish American Heritage Month, we celebrate the hard fought progress achieved through the struggle and sacrifice of Jewish Americans and reaffirm our commitment to fostering a world where diversity is cherished and faith is protected. And whereas the city of Portland proudly honors the history, contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans in our community throughout our state and nation. Now, therefore, be it resolved that Mark Dion, Mayor of the City of Portland, Maine, and members of the Portland City Council do hereby proclaim May as Jewish American Heritage Month in the City of Portland and call upon all residents to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and to continue efforts in building a more just, peaceful, and prosperous world for all, signed and sealed this 18th day of May, 2026, by Mark Dion, the Mayor, City of Portland. [34:21] Mark Dion: Chair will now read Proclamation 352526, title only. [34:29] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Proclamation 352526, recognizing Paul Bradbury for receiving the 2026 AAAE Chair's Award sponsored by Mark Dion, Mayor. [34:40] Mark Dion: Whereas the City of Portland, Maine takes great pride in the dedicated professionals who ensure the safety, efficiency, and excellence of the Portland International Jetport. And whereas, Paul Bradbury has demonstrated exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the aviation industry through his years of service at the Jetport and his influential role as chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee for the American Association of Airport Executives. And whereas on May 14th, 2026, at the AAAE annual meeting, AAE Chair Rebecca Hupp honored Paul with the 2026 AAE Chair's Award, one of the most prestigious individual recognitions within the airport industry. And whereas this award highlights Paul's significant contributions to national aviation policy and his tireless advocacy for the interest of airports across the country, further elevating the reputation of the City of Portland on a national stage. And whereas Paul's daily dedication to the jet port ensures that Portland remains a vital and well-connected gateway for our residents and visitors alike, now therefore be it resolved that I, Mark Dion, Mayor of the City of Portland, along with members of the Portland City Council and the citizens we represent do hereby extend our formal congratulations and deepest appreciation to Paul Bradbury for his outstanding achievements and for receiving the 2026 AAAE Chair's Award. We thank him for his leadership, his expertise, and his continued service to our community signed and sealed on my signature this 18th day. Rarely do I read a proclamation, Paul, of May 20th, 26. Clerk will now read Orders 206, 25, 26 through Order 208, 25, 26. Consent items. [38:00] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 206, 25, 26. Granting municipal officers approval of Keg and Kraken application for Class 1 FSE at 653 Congress Street, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. Order 207-2526, granting municipal officers approval of the Velvet Dog application for Class 1 FSE at 24 Preble Street, Union 1, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. Order 208-2526, granting municipal officers approval of Cocktail Mary application for Class A Lounge at 30 Market Street, second floor, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. [38:37] Mark Dion: Any comment from the City Manager on these items? No, Mr. Mayor, but staff is present if there are any questions. Chair will now seek any public comment on any of the applicants listed in this order. Public comment is closed. Chair would seek a motion for passage. So moved. Moved by Councillor Bullett. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councillor Michniewicz. Discussion by the council seeing none strike Oh council bullet I thought I got [39:18] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): away nothing to discuss but is Catherine here I just wanted to thank you for doing business in a very hard male dominated industry we see a lot of licenses I'm in year three of the council and I'm a Johnson and Wales graduate culinary arts is my first love and so whenever I see a female owned business come across it's pretty rare around here I want to say thank you for all your hard work I know that means that you're working double as hard thank you any [39:53] Mark Dion: other comments from the council okay seeing none there's a motion on the floor all those in favor of the consent calendar passes is I see the owner of Cocktail Mary is here, Isaac. Did I miss someone? Any other owners? What? Oh, the Velvet Dice. Interesting name. What? That's okay. We know where the power lies. That's for those married men in the audience. All right, then. I want to thank you all for your decision to do business in Portland. It adds to the complexity and diversity. of our city to the to the positive so there any other issues please feel free to reach out to the city manager's office or mine you're welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting as concerned citizens I always make that offer and as the council knows we walk you watch you all walk out so I won't be offended thank you very much all three of you clerk will now read all school budget orders 196-2526 through 202a through 2526 order 196-2526 approving [41:29] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): State local EPS funding allocation for public education from kindergarten to grade 12 for Portland Public Schools for fiscal year 2027, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Chair April Fournier. Chair Order 197-2526, approving non-state funded school construction debt service for Portland schools for fiscal year 2027, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Order 198-25-26, raising and appropriating additional local funds for Portland schools for fiscal year 2027, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Order 199-25-26, approving total school operating budget for public for Portland schools for fiscal year 2027, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Order 22526, appropriating and raising funds for the adult education for fiscal year 2027 as required by the Main Revised Statute, Title 20A MRS 8603A1, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Order 201-2526, to raise and appropriate local funds for food service in the Portland Public Schools for fiscal year 2027, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Order 202A-2526, authorizing the disposition of any additional state subsidy received for Portland schools in fiscal year 2027, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier [42:58] Mark Dion: Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Chair will now take... All right then. We're going to go through each of these individually in terms of voting. So on Order 196, is there a motion for passage? That's right. It doesn't say that. Chair is in error. I thought so. Chair would entertain public comment on any of the individual orders or as an aggregate. Mr. [43:49] Unidentified speaker (School Superintendent): Superintendent, welcome. Good afternoon, Mayor. Good afternoon, Councillors. Good afternoon, City Manager. I wanted to defer first to Steve, since I really appreciate it in our last Finance Committee or last budget meeting of our board, he commented that the materials we put forward were more thorough and robust than any other district, but he didn't share that here, so I just wanted to share that. I just want to thank the Council tonight for their thoughtful consideration of the budget that we have before you and to also recognize the engagement of the Finance Committee and the discussions that we had, and so thank you, Chair, for that. The challenge of this budget is one of managing both fiscal stewardship and the experiences and outcomes for our students. And as you'll see in the supporting materials, the strategic plan that we are in year two of is seeing outcomes and experiences improve for students. At the same time, it is a hard budget, and there are difficult trade-offs that exist here, and trade-offs that our budget, our finance committee, and our board overall wrestled with. I want to acknowledge that within this difficult environment, our local budget actually only increases by 2.6%, but it's the loss of state funding of $4.1 million that results in the overall challenge that we face in our budget. Budget and the need to really make some fiscally challenging decisions. As one little light in the sort of forecast, we have done a fair amount of advocacy at the state level around the EPS funding formula, and we do feel confident that we will get some additional funding next year to help relieve some of this pressure. And so a thank you to our state representatives around that. I also want to acknowledge that the loss of state funding and our budget overall turned around and put challenges on the city as the city looked at weighing its budget. And I just want to really thank and acknowledge the work that our city manager, our director of finance did in considering the overall impact and some of the really difficult tradeoffs that they had to make as a result of this as well. And so just really wanted to thank the city for this. I'm here to answer any questions, but otherwise thank you for your consideration. Thank you. Mr. Superintendent [46:17] Mark Dion: Chair will now revisit a motion for passage on order 196 25 26. Some of them by council fell tears again, second by council Fournier, any discussion? By the council wait [46:42] Public commenter: go [46:46] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): ahead council for you. I will be brief. I promise I just also wanted to share gratitude back to Dr. Scallon for the process and for all of your staff working with us on Finance Committee. It was a lot of late nights and a lot of information to go through, but I appreciate it. And as a parent whose youngest kiddos are graduating in just a couple weeks, I'm just so grateful for what Portland Schools does for all of our families and the unique struggle that we have that no other city in the entire state has to shoulder. And sometimes that comes with increased costs. We don't have young buildings in a lot of places, and we have a lot of challenges that a lot of other districts don't face. And so I appreciate your creativity and the work that you've done with us to really try and make sure that this represents a budget that really supports our students, supports your staff, and supports the community. Because I'm very proud of our schools, and I think that investment is really worth it. So just thank you. And then to my fellow Finance Committee members, thank you so much. I know it's a ton of extra meetings as part of this committee, but I appreciate your work. [47:54] Mark Dion: That's all, thank you. Madam Chair, is there any other comments? I have to work on my peripheral vision between you and Counselor Pelletier. I have difficulty, but I'm scheduled for my annual eye exam, so I'm going to bring that up. I can't see out of the far corners. Nonetheless, are we ready for the roll? See no objection, call the [48:17] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): roll. Yes,. Chair would now seek a motion for [48:29] Mark Dion: passage on order 197 2526. So moved by Councillor Four years or second. Seconded by Councillor Pelletier. Okay, any comment from the council? Seeing none, call the roll. Councillor Fournier? Yes. Councillor Grant? Yes. Councillor Pelletier? Yes. Councillor McNavage? Yes. Councillor Bullett? Yes. Mayor Dyan? Yes. Chair, we seek a motion for passage on order 198-2526. So moved. Second. Moved by Councillor Fournier, seconded by Councillor McNavage. Comments from the council? Seeing none, call the roll. Councillor Fournier? Yes. Councillor Grant? Yes. Councillor Pelletier? Yes. Councillor McNavage? Yes. Councillor Bullett? Yes. Mayor Dian? Yes. Chair would now seek a motion for passage on order 199-2526. So moved. Moved by Councillor Fournier, seconded by? Second. Moved by Councillor McNavage. Any comment from the council? Seeing none, call the roll. Councillor Fournier? Yes. Councillor Grant? Yes. Councillor Pelletier? Yes. Yes. Councillor McNavidge? Yes. Councillor Bullett? Yes. Mayor Dyan? Yes. The chair would now seek a motion for passage on order 22526. So moved. Moved by Councillor Fournier, seconded by? Second. Councillor McNavidge, discussion by the council, seeing none, call the roll. Councillor Fournier? Yes. Councillor Grant? Yes. Councillor Pelletier? Yes. Councillor McNavidge? Yes. Councillor Bullett? Yes. Mayor Dyan? Yes. Yes. Chair would seek a motion for passage on order 201-2526. So moved. Moved by Councillor Forney, is there a second? Second. Second by Councillor Michniewicz, comments from the council? Seeing none, call the roll. Councillor Forney? Yes. [50:18] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Councillor Grant? Yes. Councillor Pelletier? Yes. Councillor Michniewicz? Yes. Councillor Bullett? Yes. Mayor Dayan? Yes. [50:24] Mark Dion: Chair seek a motion for passage on order 202A-2526. So moved. Moved by Councillor Forney, second. Second. Second. It's a tag team this evening. Councilor McEvich, any discussion by the council? Seeing none, call the roll. Councilor Fournier? Yes. Councilor Grant? Yes. Councilor Pelletier? Yes. Councilor McEvich? Yes. Councilor Bullett? Yes. Mayor Dan? Yes. Clerk will now read title only orders 209, 25, 26 to order 221, 25, 26. [50:57] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 209-2526, approving fiscal year 2027 administrative fees for fire, parking, planning and urban development, parks, recreation and facilities and public works, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Order 201-2526, authorizing the City Manager to enter into certain agreements to implement the fiscal year 2027 human resources and certain fringe benefits budgets, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. Chair. Order 211-2526, approving the fiscal year 2027 self-insured liability program sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, chair. Order 212-2526, authorizing the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities to set fees and enter rental agreements for city facilities sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, chair. Order 213-2526, authorizing the city manager to enter into certain agreements to implement fiscal year 2027 health and human services budget sponsored by finance committee April Fournier chair. Order 214 2526 authorizing the city manager to accept scholarship and trust donations and bequests and enter into trust agreements sponsored by finance committee April Fournier chair. Order 216 2526 authorizing corporation council to undertake civil actions to collect delinquent personal property taxes sponsored by finance committee April Fournier chair. Order 217 2526 authorizing non-union wage adjustment sponsored by finance committee April Fournier chair. Order 218 2526 designating fiscal year 2027 funds for specific island services sponsored by finance committee April Fournier chair. Order 219 2526 appropriating 4 million in fund balance sponsored by finance committee April Foreign Year chair. Order 220 25 26 amendment to Portland city code chapters 2 6 10 12 24 25 and 28 regarding various fees and other charges for fiscal year 2027 sponsored by finance committee april foreign year chair order 221 25 26 fiscal year 2026 2027 appropriation resolve sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. [53:26] Mark Dion: Chair, would seek any public comment on any individual order or as an aggregate? [53:39] Public commenter: Just two things. First of all, I want to thank Stephen Scharf for his in-depth financial analysis to which he devotes countless hours and gives a lot of thought. He deserves to be commended and respected for his work, not endured and tolerated. He and I are not lockstep in all views, but he has the best interest of your struggling constituents. I'm not a financial analyst. I'm just a resident of Portland, who, along with many others, are struggling to comprehend the rising tax bills that keep getting delivered to our doors annually. One friend of mine had the tax portion of her mortgage go up by more than $200 per month. Do you really think this is sustainable year after year? I assure you, it is not. That's all. Thank you. Are there any amendments being proposed? The [54:36] Mark Dion: chair has not been informed of any amendments, at least not this evening. Good job. All right, then. The chair would seek a motion for passage on Article 213.25.26. It's not for passage, Mr. Mayor. I'll just indicate so that the public is aware as well that this evening we'll be taking comment again on the city budget at the next meeting, which is June 1st. And any amendments to go to the recent question would be presented that evening and the council would be voting at that time. Tonight we have, this is our first read, we have several orders that only require a read, but some of them which require two reads. And so those two read items will continue on to the next meeting. The ones that only require one read, we need to postpone to June 1st. So the mayor will be calling out various orders that we will be postponing to June 1st so that we can take them all up together. And I believe that the first one is order 211. So moved. Moved by Councilor Fournier, is there a second? Second. All those in favor, please signify by hand. And just for the sake of the record, that is to June 1st. Chair would now seek a motion to continue to a date certain on order 212, 25, 26. So moved. Second. Moved by Councillor Forney and seconded by Councillor Grant, the date will be June 1st. All those in favor, please signify by hand. The chair would now seek a motion to continue order 213-2526 to date certain of June 1st. So moved. Moved by Councillor Forney. Is there a second? Second. Councillor Grant seconds. All those in favor, please signify. The chair would now seek an order to continue, strike that, a motion to continue order 214.25.26 to a date certain of June 1st. So moved. Moved by Councilor Forney. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councilor Grant. All those in favor, please signify. Passes. Chair would now seek a motion to continue order 215.25.26 with date certain of June 1st. Is there a motion? So moved. Moved by Councillor Fournier. Is there a second? Second. Councillor Grant seconds. All those in favor, please signify. Passes. Chair would now seek a motion to continue on Order 216-2526 with date certain of June 1st. So moved. Moved by Councillor Fournier. Second. Second by Councillor Grant. All those in favor? Yes, all the remaining orders are first readings, and as I indicated, they'll all show up on June 1st for action by the Council. Any amendments will be discussed that evening and will most likely be included in the packet prior to the meeting as well. All right, then. Please read Order 202B-2526, Title. [59:19] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 202B-2526, approving cooperative agreement between the City of Portland and the Maine Department of Transportation regarding improvements to Brighton Avenue, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. [59:32] Mark Dion: City Manager. I see Director Murray from the Department of Public Works in the back. He can provide a brief summary of what this item is and also is available for questions. [59:47] Unidentified speaker (City Staff): Good evening. We're proud to be here tonight to look for passage of this UPI agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation for sidewalk improvements on Brighton Avenue. We spoke about it during the CIP process. This project, the limits of it are between William Street and Craigie Street. And we would, upon passage, we'd go to design and have it out to bid for construction the next year in calendar year 2027 it would improve the ADA along this corridor it would repair replace sidewalks along this corridor as well as the improve the arterial crossings in this section of Brighton Avenue 2027 is important because the state's coming in 2028 eight to pave brighton avenue so we'd want to get this done this work completed prior to that [1:00:48] Mark Dion: Thank you, Director Murray. Question? Any public comment? Seeing none. Oh, public comment. Oh, we can get a question after we do public comment. Yeah. [1:01:05] Public commenter: Stephen Sharp of Bracket Street in Portland. I actually am rising to support this and had a couple questions, but Mr. Murray actually outlined some of those. The only thing I wanted to speak to in this is that there should be some public involvement in the actual details of this project. And I hope there'll be a couple of community meetings so the public can be aware of exactly what's gonna happen in the corridor. I also wanna just speak to the next item and say I also support that and on the same points that we should have some public meetings on the Forest Avenue project. Thank [1:01:46] Mark Dion: you. All right, then she was looking for a motion for passage to move. Like Council Grant is her [Unidentified speaker (Councilor): second, I think.] she wins by volume council fornia counselor bullet as the second any discussion by [1:02:05] Benjamin Grant: the Council? Grant, if I may just have a question for the director. This project happens to be like at my doorstep. If you look at the map, my house is right on the edge there, so I have a particular interest in the stretch of road. So I'm curious, does this project have any component of it that will redesign the traffic, or is it just merely sidewalk pedestrian construction? Sidewalk pedestrian. Okay, no part of this has to do with the actual traffic pattern on Brighton. Okay, just planning that seat for future development. All [1:02:44] Mark Dion: right, then there's no further comment from the Council. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by hand. Passes unanimously. Chair would seek the manager's comment on Order 203-2526. Again, Mr. Murray is here for any questions. This one involves Forest Avenue, sidebox, crossbox, and bus stop. We're back again. [1:03:12] Unidentified speaker (City Staff): Again, this project, very similar to the Brighton Avenue project, it is addressing sidewalk pedestrian improvements, arterial crossing improvements between Morrill Street and Walton Street on Forest Avenue. It would go under design and construction for next year. Later this year, we expect to have out for construction the further piece, which is from Walton to Pleasant Avenue. So basically, by the end of 2027, we hope to have from basically Morrill's Corner to Woodford's Corner, upgraded sidewalks along Forest Avenue. [1:03:54] Mark Dion: Thank you, Director. Prior to taking public comment, I'd ask the clerk to read Order 203-2526, title only. [1:04:03] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 203-2526, approving cooperative agreement between the City of Portland and the Maine Department of Transportation regarding improvements to Forest Avenue, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. Any [1:04:18] Mark Dion: public comment on this order seeing none motion for passage so moved second move by council bullet seconded by council fournier any discussion by the council seeing none all those in favor please signify by hand that will now read order 204-2526. [1:04:47] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 204-2526, accepting and appropriating a $200 anonymous donation to the Portland Police Department for victim services, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. [1:04:59] Mark Dion: And this is an anonymous donation. As indicated by the order, we will be using these funds to enhance the victim services that are provided in ways just for comfort, including things like coffee and those types of items that we will be purchasing. We're really thankful to whomever donated these funds. Any public comment on this item? Motion for passage. So moved. Second. Second. Moved by Councilor Michniewicz, seconded by Councilor Bullett. Any discussion by the council? Seeing none, all those in favor please signify. Passes unanimously. Clerk will now retitle only Order 205-2526. [1:05:51] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 205-2526, approving the golf cart lease agreement with Country Club Enterprises LLC, sponsored by Danielle West, City Manager. City Manager. Comments? [1:06:03] Mark Dion: City Manager. Originally, we had requested that this be enacted as an emergency, but there are not enough votes this evening. We have talked about this, and I believe we will still be within the timeframe needed, just barely. This should be fine, just passing with five votes. Any public comment? Probably better if we could just appoint you as a single member of the public to give us comment, be more efficient. Right, okay, no public comment. Chair would seek motion for passage. So moved by council, seconded by council grant. Discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please signify. Passes unanimously. Clerk will now read Order 222-2526, title only. Order 222-2526, [1:07:05] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): setting the time for opening and closing the polls on June 9th, 2026 regarding state and municipal elections, sponsored by Abby Lombard's, City Clerk. [1:07:16] Mark Dion: This is unusual. I'm going to ask you your opinion about something. [1:07:20] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Okay. Madam Clerk, go ahead. This is just an order setting the time for opening and closing the polls on election day for the June 9th, 2026 election. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to close at 8 p.m. Currently, we have in-person absentee voting happening in the state of main room Monday to Friday 830 to 430 p.m. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Thursday June 4th and the city clerk's office is open until 7 p.m. that night. Thank you madam [1:07:47] Mark Dion: clerk chair would take public comment there is no public remaining chair would seek motion for passage so moved by council for near second by council Michniewicz discussion by the council seeing that no questions for you it couldn't be any easier right all those in favor please signify passes unanimously clerk will now read order 223 [1:08:16] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): 2526 title only order 223 2526 amending order 161 2526 to ratify fournier amendment 3 regarding Doherty Field Lighting, sponsored by Finance Committee, April Fournier, Chair. [1:08:31] Mark Dion: The Chair would yield to Chair Fournier for a motion. [1:08:35] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): Thank you. I am requesting that this item be moved to our June 1st meeting. This is actually just correcting a procedural error that we had in the meeting when this first vote was taken, that there was not a motion and a second before the vote happened, and so we have to go back and redo that, given that we have less than our full council. I'm just asking that we move this to our next meeting where we would have the full council chair reckons [1:08:58] Mark Dion: Recognizes that as a motion to postpone their second seconded by councillor bullet All those in favor, please signify We postpone to a date certain of June 1st. Clerk will now read order 2 to 4 25 26 first read [1:09:24] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 2 24 25 26 amending order 182 25 26 regarding Clarifying retroactive application for dispersal requirements for large theaters and performance halls, sponsored by Wesley Pelletier, City Councilor. [1:09:43] Mark Dion: Clerk, I'll now read by title only. First read, Order 225-2526. [1:09:49] Unidentified speaker (Clerk): Order 225-2526, Amendment to the Portland City Code, Chapter 28, regarding tow rates, sponsored by the Sustainability and Transportation Committee, Councilor Regina Phillips, Chair. [1:10:01] Mark Dion: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Chair would now seek a motion to adjourn so moved second moved by councillor fornia seconded by council Michniewicz All those in favor, please signify. It's unanimous The meeting is closed. Thank you [1:10:26] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): I know we're gonna have two options. One will be the extended hours and a later Sunday parking, and then the other is extended hours recording stuff. Yes, yeah, no, I'm inclined to support the extended hours, no Sunday, and then look at- [1:10:43] Mark Dion: I'm sure Abby is waiting somewhere. [1:10:45] Benjamin Grant: I just wanted to make sure that option was presented. [1:10:47] Unidentified speaker (Councilor): Yes, yeah,. It would be- I asked them to present-