Portland council approves appointments, grants and bond financing; HOME ARP funding and EcoMaine bond draw public comment

Portland City Council approved a series of administrative orders, grants and a revenue-bond financing during the meeting, including an emergency appointment in the corporation counsel’s office, grant-funded park lighting, and municipal participation in EcoMaine financing. The council also debated and approved a HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) spending plan after public comment and dissent from several members.

Emergency appointment: The council confirmed Mary Christie as an associate corporation counsel on an emergency basis so she could start work the following Monday. Michael Golden, corporation counsel, described Christie's background in transactional work and supply-chain counsel experience at MaineHealth. The motion to appoint Christie as an emergency hire was moved and seconded on the floor and adopted by roll call.

EcoMaine revenue bond financing: Staff and EcoMaine representatives presented a request to approve revenue-bond financing to fund recycling-facility upgrades, landfill expansion and related projects. Kevin Roche of EcoMaine summarized that the financing combined a prior request and an additional $6.4 million for improvements to the waste-to-energy facility, landfill and related recovery projects that serve EcoMaine’s member communities. Public…