[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6522089,"mediaKeyId","5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2","parentId",5075179,"title","Council accepts $7,000 donation from Masonic Lodge for Behrend Center activity equipment","audioSeconds",386,"startMs",4990000,"endMs",5376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2&start=4990&end=5376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2/thumbnail_4990000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6522089/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Council-accepts-7000-donation-from-Masonic-Lodge-for-Behrend-Center-activity-equipment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522089-e234635266bb1b8a46841d3f67283e62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500434&Signature=UAEVM1KsH27YMiMFlvKSx0wryq2eu65hucc~kHRUIrqA6bX1y7ur3MAqKUS3joWrv-Hnu~bOQr8~5XFTfEwxeLsEpUVxI9O-V4im1eOly08EeeiT3lQ6HqOLWzQl7M~~utCI0Typ3S4dmULilzdF6vzQEoOlIU35HthHQ51IgEn2fvX97wHuJNq0UhyHEDFMrCQcPLkOJoreUW1Wz~bt~o~uFDn3D7et0nXSP9TlVutZDYQ-9W4FqL7teQvswCO5k2thO6l8V5XEBGerjZYhO~k4SZLb8kOD-iqCiElIIgu6d4f9tWe9LCxxZpxtxRKcs81zqSSmYu37JU8nfLZOrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portland, ME","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Portland City Council voted to accept and appropriate a $7,000 donation from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Maine to acquire activity and engagement equipment for the Behrend Center (order 2302425). Staff described the equipment as interactive life-enrichment tools (games and devices to support cognitive and recreational activities) for residents with memory diagnoses.

A public commenter asked about staffing and whether Behrend Center staff would be available and trained to use the equipment; city staff and meeting backup materials said the life-enrichment team will operate the equipment and that training is expected to be provided as needed. City Manager Danielle West thanked the Masonic Lodge and said staff and Behrend Center leadership welcomed the donation.

The council approved the donation by roll call. No formal fiscal impact to the operating budget was required beyond acceptance of the gift.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Council Meeting (Hybrid) - June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved an order accepting a $7,000 donation from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Maine to buy activity/therapeutic equipment for the Behrend Center life-enrichment program.","taxTitle","Portland, Cumberland County, Maine","taxId",2582,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6522094,"Council appoints multiple residents to boards and commissions; removes one nominee from Portland Housing Authority list",264,1511000,1775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2&start=1511&end=1775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","/articles/6522094/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Council-appoints-multiple-residents-to-boards-and-commissions-removes-one-nominee-from-Portland-Housing-Authority-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522094-6bc37e3e24d7f16e7ecf2d81bcda9048/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500434&Signature=WUkXDtWIY0pv09G9JlD0W1r2cK0qAuelJ1368AzNTUL6k8tnQ0TA541LA7gAHu67Q2VG9sO5X0ZbkzdGYIDaG-tOjm8jfuog2Fz4QpdEtvYjpqTz1Kh~rAbnKbdaHl~ynXictHYLuuRZKdPh3gtMRzw0jDy4vTBDSUGLW3~5q6X~uuCtlosiMo2t~rObzpS~5c1hSNsisjR~2VGwPQgOe6jv8GBjE8mDpiYsl6G1x4jB8iXXXfYBaTzGBpWkQCjCyge2tIQPpd-pC-KPF9mPBQHk1TD4NXLZq8ZosmuefjbcJBaGeWA3CmsQnBisFrhczKg2nF7-EzRX4YC4nZRP0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland City Council approved order 2312425, appointing a slate of residents to city boards and commissions after a brief presentation by the clerk and comments from council sponsors. The clerk read a long list of names for multiple bodies; the council chair said five affirmative votes were required to appoint individuals.

During the roll call the council considered a late amendment submitted that morning to remove Jessica Rosenberg from appointment to the Portland Housing Authority because she had withdrawn her name due to a potential conflict of interest. Council accepted the amendment to remove Rosenberg and then voted to appoint the remaining nominees as presented.

The motion to appoint the nominees and the amendment to remove the one name both passed by roll call. No public comment was offered for the appointments list prior to the vote.

","The council approved a slate of applicants for city boards and commissions and accepted a late amendment removing one nominee from a Portland Housing Authority appointment due to a potential conflict of interest.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6522098,"Residents, advocates urge council to keep shelter beds, raise Congress Street maintenance concerns",677,437000,1114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2&start=437&end=1114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2/thumbnail_437000.jpg","/articles/6522098/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Residents-advocates-urge-council-to-keep-shelter-beds-raise-Congress-Street-maintenance-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522098-4faed9813ed368f3c42ef0e71f6d51b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500434&Signature=BS9T9qMvwFh-JNDkBgeedhCsMwBGW5SmjmWpmtZy0kwdQWHTHYrekZQ1jB9yufTuWOMgPOTbBXHHvvuKC9b08dT3vjPnDc-tpNF89aJyueDdiQt~J9D~sjTSLpud-YVBx2sLm0qFcxkaRA5hHZlRuuXMuM2l2UMaDTY9X2BDpL7awRgtNcLDKJpbBx4H5npoXtuBJgK1CBRk7X3xL2mN2pF01HuRmG24Cq0gWv22tKXEin0cT8VYXBy6g1JYkaZ99NllIczJxGhKvNqgLy7UHp42aD~7PVGrxhiVlc4TEYNJqd4fkxn0H43HO3Ezr9xcd5efzGxRFLyIIkBgupwfiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at a June Portland City Council meeting focused on homelessness and conditions along Congress Street. Eric Brewer, an advocate with Homeless Voices for Justice and a person with lived experience, told the council he has been housed nearly five years but warned that any closure of emergency beds 'including at 166 Riverside Street'would strain the shelter system and likely push people into encampments. \"Please do not reduce our already scarce shelter beds and support the budget as written,\" Brewer said, asking the council to maintain emergency shelter capacity.

Donna Yellin, vice president of strategic initiatives at Preble Street, said Preble Street supported the city manager's proposed budget and the council's choice not to cut municipal social services. \"Outreach, emergency shelters and public health are all critical components of our community's homelessness response system,\" she said.

Council members and staff also addressed persistent complaints from residents and businesses about Congress Street, where several speakers and councilors described litter, petty vandalism, human waste, discarded clothing and people who are shelter-resistant. A resident and long-time active community member, Stephen Sharf, said he was surprised to learn of a planned \"shim pave\" operation on Congress Street and argued the street needs to be fully ripped up and rebuilt rather than surface patched because of underlying paving and rail tracks from earlier infrastructure.

Mayor Mark Dion and City Manager Danielle West described a range of city responses, including vacancy-ordinance work under the Housing and Economic Development Committee, grants routed through Portland Downtown, potential increased community policing and stationing staff in Monument Square, activation and beautification work with Portland Downtown, and a downtown ambassador program. Manager West said staff is also negotiating memoranda of understanding with food distributors who serve people in the area and working with the Police Department to increase foot beats and presence in the corridor.

Mayor Dion said some individuals in the corridor decline offered services, presenting an operational challenge for outreach staff. \"They don't seem to be susceptible or open to the possibility that we would make a referral in their best interest,\" he said. Councilors and staff said the city is pursuing multiple coordinated strategies, acknowledging limitations where litter occurs on private property and noting Portland Downtown may step in to address cleanup where public funds cannot.

Public commenters also raised policing and past treatment issues; Ray Mondo Resendiz described prior encounters with law enforcement and expressed ongoing concerns about medical attention and treatment during an arrest in 2018.

The council did not take direct action on these public comments during the meeting but directed staff to continue operational responses and advised continued committee work on vacancy-ordinance reforms and related strategies for the corridor.

","Public commenters urged the Portland City Council to avoid cuts to shelter beds and called for more support on Congress Street after reports of trash, vandalism and people shelter-resistant to services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6522102,"Portland council adopts FY2026 budget with new spending for childcare, inspectors and council pay",2062,2255000,4317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2&start=2255&end=4317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075179-e72e9d16ac461e5e3a4312326dff1af2/thumbnail_2255000.jpg","/articles/6522102/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Portland-council-adopts-FY2026-budget-with-new-spending-for-childcare-inspectors-and-council-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522102-69c534a8493764c534c0a0a5ca0e63d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500434&Signature=kEQ9H5nWRnf64bj8lJLHzxJWKI1PvCYqsWDXh2xydgKTDDR-e4AdNgaSEfATXU12gxYyQxwY0FoSZnV3nHNDE2Vho4CyD7RDwpqY91X5eEx35MHRhi5pQUaErDf26h25rGs0W8rPwS3vxrDMrOht0Lf-V2RcuesEttqqPCSoAIy5hnJnZRFzQ7unGOr63setM5sy26z34aJKLT8Hid7KPi0-AxybA9DNd06tkzhMVILrzPY4jBROo87r1tkqH6UV5oZyfWtEa9WOJieu7GyaIk5rzWKuCIPoIfSfw2W3qPvQPJ6tMz1EGpgwYJyQpITOepni~xN4CAzLIwjsCxBAEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a June meeting of the Portland City Council, members approved the city's FY2026 appropriation resolve (order 2142425) after debating and voting on eight proposed amendments that add roughly $496,337 to the proposed property tax levy. The final package adds funding for childcare vouchers, before-and-after-school care, additional inspectors in permitting and rental registration, an amended plan to create a community engagement coordinator, changes tied to HVAC services and a one-time council pay increase.

Why it matters: The budget passed amid concern about reduced federal and state funding and continuing local needs for shelter services, child care and municipal inspections. Several amendments were pitched as targeted responses to immediate gaps (childcare vouchers and aftercare slots) while others were framed as capacity-building steps (additional inspectors, a community engagement position) or compensation changes intended to broaden access to public service (council pay).

The council began the fiscal debate after corporation counsel and staff summarized eight amendments that had been added to the appropriation resolve. Corporation counsel said there were eight total amendments, including proposals to add $100,000 for a consortium childcare voucher program, $118,000 for a community engagement coordinator, $102,715 for an additional marijuana inspector, $101,286 for an additional rental registration inspector, $80,000 tied to HVAC changes, and $64,000 for before-and-after-care expansion; other adjustments were described in council backup materials.

City Manager Danielle West told the council staff had reviewed departmental budgets extensively and that the city faces an estimated $13 million reduction in federal and state funding that the FY2026 budget must absorb. \"We are continuing forward with the proposed budget that's in front of you, because of that uncertainty,\" West said, adding staff had worked to limit burden on taxpayers where possible.

Major amendments and council action
- Childcare voucher program: Councilor Bullitt introduced an amendment to fund a short-term childcare voucher pool for families to bridge gaps until state subsidy becomes available. The council debated whether the amount should be $50,000 or $100,000; a motion to reduce the figure to $50,000 failed and the $100,000 allocation was approved as part of the budget amendments.
- Council pay increase: Councilor Phillips sponsored an amendment to raise council pay by 25% (a roughly $33,000 total cost shared between city and school board as required by charter relationships). The amendment passed 6-3 (Yes: April Fournier, Councilor Sykes, Councilor Ali, Councilor Pelletier, Councilor Bullock, Councilor Phillips; No: Ben Grant, Councilor McNevich, Mayor Mark Dion). The increase will take effect with the FY2026 pay cycle in July unless other implementation steps change that schedule.
- Community engagement coordinator: Councilor Phillips's amendment to add $118,000 for a community engagement coordinator was amended on the floor. The mayor proposed appropriating the money now but using a portion for a six-month assessment of existing community engagement efforts, hiring a consultant, and designing a clear job description and evaluation standard before making a long-term hire. The council approved the amended approach to proceed with planning and a staged hire.
- Inspectors and permitting staff: Councilor Grant's amendments to add an additional rental registration inspector ($101,286) and to add capacity for permitting/inspection related to other changes were discussed and approved. Permitting & Inspections Director Jessica Hanscomb told the council staff had completed roughly 4,000 unit inspections so far this year and that an additional inspector would materially increase inspection capacity and timeliness.
- HVAC and school services: After Portland Public Schools chose to outsource some HVAC services, staff brought a technical amendment to reflect that change and avoid a layoff; the city added $80,000 to reassign divisional labor and ensure continued service in other city-maintained buildings. Council approved the HVAC-related amendment.
- Before-and-after care expansion: An amendment to add four full-time Recreation positions to expand before- and after-school slots (net $64,000 to the levy after projected program revenue) passed; staff projected approximately 52 new childcare slots from the change.

Roll call and budget totals: When the amended appropriation resolve was adopted, the city manager reported the revised FY2026 property tax levy totaled $115,926,519, representing an increase of about $496,337 from the finance committee's recommendation after the amendments. Staff said the assessor's revaluation and an active appeals period could still change the final mill rate and tax bills; the council committed the budget with the amendments in place.

Public comment and stakeholder input: Support for holding social service and shelter funding steady came from Preble Street (Donna Yellin), which asked the council to avoid cuts to emergency shelter and outreach programs given state and federal uncertainty. Council members also heard public comments about the budget process and transparency, and multiple councilors emphasized continued committee work to address operational details (for example, how inspections will be documented and how the engagement coordinator's role will be evaluated).

What the council directed: Staff were directed to implement the approved amendments and return any necessary technical language to finalize FY2026 spending. For the community engagement position, staff were directed to use a portion of the appropriation to contract for a six-month analysis and job design before hiring.

Ending note: Council members said they expect continued follow-up in committee (for rent-control and inspection processes) and in departmental briefings to evaluate the effects of the newly funded positions and programs. The manager and finance director will update the council as state and federal funding decisions and the assessor's appeals process clarify final tax impacts.

","The Portland City Council approved the FY2026 appropriation resolve with several amendments including $100,000 for childcare vouchers, a 25% raise for councilors, funding for new inspectors and staffing changes tied to HVAC and school services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council accepts $7,000 donation from Masonic Lodge for Behrend Center activity equipment

Council appoints multiple residents to boards and commissions; removes one nominee from Portland Housing Authority list

Residents, advocates urge council to keep shelter beds, raise Congress Street maintenance concerns

Portland council adopts FY2026 budget with new spending for childcare, inspectors and council pay