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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. Below are some City Hall goings-on that you should find informative and helpful.
Planning Board, Pier Owners Seek Public Comment on Changes
On March 2 and 3, the City and the Planning Board will host two public forums to seek input on Portland’s Waterfront Central Zone (WCZ). This is the area west of the State Pier and east of the International Marine Terminal. The WCZ is home to fifteen piers, dozens of marine and non-marine businesses, and is the center of the region’s fishing and lobstering economy. Current policies and zoning are intended to protect traditional marine uses while allowing other “marine-compatible” uses. Citing their difficulty attracting marine tenants, eleven commercial property owners in the WCZ are seeking a relaxation of the zoning restrictions. You are invited to join the discussion. The two forums will help inform the Planning Board as it evaluates the proposed changes.
CDBG Money for Economic Development
Coming in March, the committee that oversees Portland’s CDBG funds will decide whether to recommend funding the request of City Economic Development Director Greg Mitchell. Recognizing the difficulty that businesses have had in the past, he has applied for a block of funds that he will be able to add to his suite of business assistance services. The Chamber is a strong supporter of this approach. Contact the Allocation Committee to express your support.
Ongoing City-Chamber Projects
Four Chamber initiatives: the Economic Scorecard, the Regional Economic Development Authority, the Portland Economic Development Plan, and the revisions the the permitting process are underway and making progress. Look for the Permitting and Scorecard projects to be complete in late Spring. The Economic Development Plan and the Regional Economic Development Authority will continue later in the year. For info on any of these, contact me.
Big Ship, Small City
In case you missed it, there’s a movement afoot to get the US Navy to send a decommissioned aircraft carrier to Portland. The idea has lots of folks scratching their heads and wondering what to make of it. Just about every elected official in Maine has passed a resolution or expressed a sentiment in support of the venture. Proponents think it would be a tourist draw and a City asset, so the Chamber is interested. Opponents think it will be a money drain and a blight on the landscape, so the Chamber is interested. We have not joined a campaign yet. What do you think?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.
Volunteer Portland
Want to get involved in Portland? The City maintains a website that allows you and your co-workers to peruse volunteer opportunities from “Adopt-a-Catch Basin” to “Ushering at Merrill Auditorium.” Please post at work as appropriate.
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.
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