Category Archives: Newsletter



Welcome to the District Five Insider, a weekly newsletter keeping you informed about the big decisions being made inside Council Chambers, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved in shaping our community. Enter your email and hit subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox every week.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Good afternoon friends and neighbors,

At the Council meeting last night, which was pushed to Wednesday due to the Martin Luther King holiday, Councilor Pious Ali read the Mayor’s Proclamation of Black History month, a time “to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in our nation’s history and encourage the continued annual celebration of Black History Month to provide opportunities for all Portland’s residents to learn, examine, and better understand how history has shaped this nation.”

In the spirit of Black History Month, and in honor of Dr. King’s life of service, I wanted to share this quote from the Reverend’s 1967 Riverside Church speech (A Time to Break Silence) on the Vietnam War:

“Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality.“

No small topic here. King is not just talking about a decades-long war, or the struggle for civil rights, or race relations–all huge issues in their own right–but rather ultimate reality. He goes on to speak about the universal doctrine of love, “that force which all of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life.”

But it’s that humble word ‘somehow’ that calls to me in this quote. King doesn’t know how this thing called love works to unlock the door to enlightenment, and he doesn’t pretend to know.

I think we can try too hard to explain things. Every year on this holiday, it strikes me that we try too hard to explain Dr. King himself, his legacy, and what it can teach us. We examine and re-contextualize his words in editorials, essays, (and newsletters) to fit our present day troubles, looking for answers to questions that can’t be answered in words. And all of this can seem like so much lock-picking when we’ve already been handed the key.

Until next time, live with love. -Kate

One Big Thing:

Rent Board Report

The Rent Board presented their Annual report to the Council, as required under the Rent Control Ordinance. It contains data about Portland’s rental landscape, based on 2023 registration records maintained by the City. Landlords with units covered under the ordinance are required to register their units each year and report base rent, as well as any rent increase. Exempt units must also be registered, but are excluded from the report due to inconsistencies in reported rents for these units.

Among other findings, the report reveals significant data reporting glitches and potentially widespread violations of the Rent Control ordinance. Appendix B of the report outlines some of the more concerning findings, including:

  • 451 covered units that reported $0 rent or left the field blank
  • 729 units that reported an illegal rent increase over the allowed cap of 10%
  • 1755 covered units reporting a rent increase of more than the legal limit of 5% between June 2020 and November 2021 when a Rent Freeze was in effect

The full agenda packet including the Rent Board Report is available online.

What it means

The Rent Control ordinance requires registration of covered rental units and imposes late penalties of up to $250 for late registrations. It further holds that violations of the ordinance may incur penalties, and that enforcement of penalties shall be given the highest enforcement priority by the City.

Certainly many landlords are following the law. But the report suggests there may be thousands of units in violation of the rent control ordinance in some way. Some may have had rent increases that were above the legal limit, others reported data that does not make sense, and some may have failed to register entirely.

Why it matters

Any ordinance is only as good as the enforcement mechanism we have in place for it. We recently had a contentious debate about our loitering ordinance and if we would enforce it to clear homeless encampment. We did.

Ordinances like these don’t exist in a silo. They are a set of rules that taken together represent our shared community vision. They say something about our values, what we want to achieve together, and they apply to everyone. We may argue about any number of them, amend them from time to time, or get rid of them altogether, but code enforcement is not optional and it’s an important binding agent that transforms a city from a geographical area on a map into a community.

While the data presented in the Rent Board Report sheds light on a number of aspects of our rental housing landscape, I would go so far as to say that until we’re sure Rent Control is being broadly followed, we cannot effectively evaluate it. I look forward to taking this report up in discussion at an upcoming Housing and Economic Development Committee and working with City Staff to resolve these issues.

Three More Quick Hits:

Serve on the Rent Board!

The Rent Board has posted five vacancies coming up this Spring. Help protect the rights of tenants and keep our rental housing market stable by applying for a position, or sharing this information with others:

1 Seat-Filing Vacant Term through 3/31/2025 (Must live in District 1)

1 Seat-Filing Vacant Term through 3/31/2024 (Must live in District 3)

1 Seat-Filling Vacant Term through 3/31/2026 (Must live in District 4)

1 Seat-Filling Vacant Term through 3/31/2026 (At-Large Member)

1 Seat- Term Expiring 3/31/2027 (At-Large Member)

The Rent Board is only one of many citizen committees and boards that help keep Portland fair, functional, and friendly. Find board and committee descriptions, along with application directions on the City’s website.

Stevens Avenue Paving

The Council passed an order to enter into an agreement with the State DOT to repave and stripe Stevens Avenue from Clinton Street to Woodford Street, including improvements to pedestrian crossings, added ADA curb cuts, and realignment of Brentwood Street to make that area safer for pedestrians. Work will begin this summer.

Welcome to Portland, Morningstar Lane!

The Council passed an order to accept Morningstar Lane as a City Way. For ten years, the residents of this street were left hanging in limbo without city services due to incomplete development requirements preventing incorporation of the street. Everyone is relieved that this project has finally been completed, and the order will go into effect in 10 days.

Pet of the Week!

This week we honor Freyja, a one-year-old rescue pup from a litter found in Tennessee. Part pittie, mixed with husky and shepherd, she adores destroying sticks and playing in the snow in her North Deering yard.

Each week we share a photo and description of a District 5 pet who brightens our day. Do you have a furry friend you want us to feature? Please send your suggestions by email or text.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov     207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.



Welcome to the District Five Insider, a weekly newsletter keeping you informed about the big decisions being made inside Council Chambers, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved in shaping our community. Enter your email and hit subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox every week.

Sunday, January 7, 2024

The Council meeting this past week was pushed to Wednesday, due to the New Year’s holiday, so I’m a little late getting this out. But a snowy Sunday is a good day to catch up on work. I haven’t seen a City plow truck go by in a while, but I know how hard crews are working to dig us out. More on that below….

One Big Thing:

Non-Profit Fee Waiver Requests Referred to Committee

This week’s “Big Thing” sounds like an administrative nothing burger, but every mighty roar begins with a quiet intake of breath, right? Our agenda this past week included two requests by local non-profit organizations to waive City licensing fees. The Maine Irish Heritage Center asked us to waive their liquor license fee ($1,406.00), and VFW Post 6859 on Forest Ave asked us to waive their Bingo license fee ($104.00). We referred both requests to the Housing and Economic Development (HED) committee for further discussion.

What it means

City code allows the Council, at its discretion, to reduce or waive fees for any organization that provides a direct benefit to the citizens of Portland. According to City Staff, we’ve never done this, and no one has ever asked us to.

Both of these organizations do great work in our community. The Irish Heritage Center hosts the annual Labor Day Breakfast to raise money for the Solidarity Harvest, among many other charity events. The VFW (besides being about the cheapest place in town to get a beer) hosts a weekly Bingo night for seniors, and uses the proceeds to continue its mission to serve area veterans. Hot tip: you don’t have to be a veteran yourself to join the VFW. Anyone with a relative who served in a foreign war can join as an auxiliary member and enjoy all the same perks. The VFW is a great place to meet people and enjoy a free game of pool, or darts in a smoke-free environment. (And did I mention the beer prices?)

Why it matters

Many, many non-profits call Portland home. Some of these entities have small annual budgets and no property, while others own millions of dollars of real estate assets and employ thousands of people. Churches, charities, universities, museums… even the State’s largest medical center, Maine Health, is a non-profit. You could probably argue that all of them are providing a direct benefit to the citizens of Portland and deserve to have their licensing fees waived. But how do we decide which ones? And would this open the flood gates to more requests? This is exactly why the Council decided to hold off on making a decision and do some more research.

The City is limited in how we can raise money to pay for the many services we provide. Garbage collection, street plowing, public health, and police and fire services all need to be funded somehow. Other than property taxes and fees, we don’t have many alternatives.

Non-profit corporations that own real estate in the City of Portland don’t pay property taxes, and that shifts the tax burden onto individual property owners, adding to the already disproportionate burden for low and middle income property owners. I think property ownership should figure into our decisions about which non-profits should get a break, and which should pay a little more. I look forward to discussing this issue in more detail with the HED committee.

Two More Quick Hits:

Cease-Fire Resolution

The Council unanimously passed a Resolution Calling for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. While the history of the conflict is very complex, this vote, for me, was simple. I cannot ignore the tremendous physical and emotional suffering taking place on both sides of this war. More violence will not end that suffering, and the escalation of hostilities into neighboring countries could spark a regional confrontation, drawing the US into war.

What does that have to do with us here in Portland? I think everything. We’re a community where Muslim and Jewish residents, as well as people of other faiths, and those who practice no religion whatsoever, live together as neighbors, and help each other when called. This is something we’ve worked hard to foster and should work just has hard to preserve. Stating our own values loudly and clearly and calling on our national leaders to work urgently for peace is like saying that what binds us together as a community is relevant in every community.

Snow Plowing and Other City Services

The Department of Public Works recently issued a memo about our shortage of snow plow drivers: 17 unfilled Commercial Drivers License (CDL) positions, with many of these positions being vacant for 24+ months. If you’re wondering why we’re not as fast getting to your street today, that’s why. It takes six months to apply for and qualify for a CDL, so there’s no quick fix. We’re working with private contractors to try to fill the gap, and Portland Adult Ed is offering classes to prepare English Language Learner students for the Knowledge portion of the CDL Class B permit exam to help grow our New Mainer workforce.

People’s lives depend on the City workers who come in every day, and do their part to keep Portland running. During the encampment sweeps this week, I had a chance to meet and talk with two members of Portland’s Mobile Medical Outreach team who stopped in to the Homeless Services Center on Riverside to see a patient. They told me some amazing stories about the work they do for people living on the street who don’t have regular medical care. Their work also helps reduce calls that can divert resources away from potentially larger emergencies. If you have a minute, please watch this short video about their work.

The City of Portland is great place to work, and we have many positions open. One of my goals as your District Councilor is to help bring the City up to full employment so that our government is functioning at full capacity. You can browse current job opportunities here, and if you’re interested in learning more about a position, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Pet of the Week!

Each week we share a photo and description of a District 5 pet who brightens our day. Do you have a furry friend you want us to feature? Please send your suggestions by email or text.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov   207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a weekly newsletter keeping you informed about the big decisions being made inside Council Chambers, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved in shaping our community. Enter your email and hit subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox every week.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

This, the inaugural issue of the Insider, is coming to you on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, a day for me of personal reflection and connection to cosmic cycles. Solstice literally means “sun stands still,” and it’s a reminder for me to pause and recognize that when it seems like we’re running in circles, well, we are… and that’s not a bad thing! The more times we do something, the better we get at it. Learning from past mistakes and improving our processes is how we achieve better outcomes. The City Manager’s decision to pause the clearing of Harbor View encampment this week and take a closer look at the data being gathered by the Encampment Crisis Response Team (ECRT) is a good example of this… and a timely one. Happy Solstice! -Kate

One Big Thing:

Portland comes into compliance with LD2003

The biggest news coming out of City Hall this week is the Council’s interpretation of a State law that directs cities and towns to loosen local zoning restrictions to allow for more housing density in growth areas. On Monday, December 18, the Planning Board presented their recommendations and Councilor Rodriguez made several amendments to them, which the Council passed, 8-1.

What it means

According to our land use code, almost the entire mainland of Portland is considered a “growth area.” We are the largest City in Maine, so it makes sense we’d want to focus population growth here, where jobs, public transit, and services are. The passage of LD2003 means it will now be possible to build up to four (4) market-rate housing units in residential zones throughout the city. If half the units are affordable, a density bonus kicks in, allowing up to ten (10) units to be built. This applies to currently vacant lots as well as tear-downs. Other restrictions, like set-backs, still apply.

Why it matters

A community is its people. In recent decades, Portland’s population has declined and we have not made the gains other town and cities have in building housing to try to bring those number back up.

Here in D5, we have a lot to offer these efforts: trails, trees, great schools, a river to paddle on, and even a golf course that doubles as a winter recreation area, with free Nordic skiing, ice skating, and a family sledding hill. It’s a great place to live! For too long, however, our many amenities have been gate-kept behind restrictive zoning laws that make it hard to build housing that’s affordable to low and middle income families, young people, and people of color. With the passage of LD2003, we’ll increase our tax base, catalyze local business, expand public transit, and welcome more families with young kids to our schools. LD2003 is a game-changer that will allow District Five to position itself as a leader in Portland’s economic growth. And with the environmental and economic guardrails of the Green New Deal in place, we’ll do it sustainably and equitably.

Two More Quick Hits:

Lambert Woods North Housing Development Approved

In addition to LD2003, the City Council also approved a landmark development in North Deering (622 Auburn Street) to allow for the construction of 72 units of rental housing affordable at 60% AMI (ie. $56,800 for two people). The Lambert Woods North development includes 34 one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom, and 28 three-bedroom units over 6 buildings. The property will integrate bus shelters for the 9A and 9B buses, lighted sidewalks, community space, a playground, and community gardens. All buildings will meet or exceed Portland’s Green Building Ordinance.

Harbor View Park Encampment Sweep Paused

Following the 7-2 vote passage of a non-binding Resolution on encampment sweeps, City Staff called off an encampment clearance scheduled for the following day. The intent of the Resolution was to remind us of the investment we’ve made in building a public health response to our homeless crisis, ground us in evidence-based research, and recommit to the goal filling beds at the shelter. It takes time to fill beds and we were right to take a pause and let our community partners and city staff do their work. Coordination between outreach teams will be critical in the coming days, and I look forward to working alongside the Health and Human Services Committee to improve our processes and address the root causes of homelessness.

Pet of the Week!

The D5 Pet of the Week is Toli!

Each week we feature a District 5 pet who brightens our day. Toli is a border collie-lab mix who just celebrated his 12th birthday and lives in Deering Center. His favorite activities include gardening (mostly digging holes) romping around the Evergreen Cemetery Trails, and taking long snoozers in the sun.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.