> Monday, April 24 @ 5pm — City Council Meeting

City Hall, Council Chambers (2nd floor to the left)

Special Note: From 4–5pm, the City Council will be in Executive (i.e. private) Session to consult with the City’s lawyers regarding the legality of providing aid to refugees, asylum seekers, and other non-citizens. This meeting is not open to the public, and the contents of the discussion will not be shared with the public.

Key agenda items (beginning at 5pm):

The City Council will receive the School Department’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (July-June), and refer it to the Finance Committee. The public hearing on the School Department’s budget will be held on May 1, the Council will vote on it on May 15, and the public will vote on the school budget on June 13.

Vote to send multiple school bond questions to voters. As has been reported, the Council will put at least two questions to voters: a $64-million bond for four schools (supported by Councilors Batson, Costa, Brenerman, Ali, and Thibodeau, and Mayor Strimling), a $32-million dollar bond for two schools (supported by Councilors Mavodones, Ray, and Duson), and possibly also a $24-million dollar bond for miscellaneous targeted repairs at a large number of Portland schools (proposed by Councilor Ray). Public comment will be taken.

Vote to sell 7 acres of unused, city-owned land in an industrial zone on Riverside Street to a developer. Public comment will be taken.

Vote to exchange a few small parcels of City-owned land on the Waterfront with the 58 Fore Street developers and the Maine Department of Transportation, so that the developers can complete their desired footprint. Public comment will be taken.

First reading of the proposed Comprehensive Plan (here’s latest draft — large download) created by the Planning Department with a long and detailed public process, outlining a vision for the city’s future. The final vote on this item will take place at a future meeting. I’m not sure if public comment will be taken.

Discussion and vote (I think? It’s not clear) of a proposed extension on the moratorium on marijuana establishments and social clubs, so that the State of Maine can clarify its regulations relating to the marijuana legalization referendum last November. The agenda does not state how long the extension is for. Public comment will be taken.

Read the agenda and associated materials here.