Kate Sykes – Page 5 – Kate Sykes for District Five

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

Patient Power

I’m honored and thrilled that you’ve elected me to be your next City Councilor in District 5. We have big work to accomplish, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves.

It has been an honor and a privilege to be one of the first candidates to run clean in Portland. I’ve talked with so many of you over the last six months about the value of our new Clean Elections program, and how it allows candidates to run competitive campaigns. As we’ve seen this cycle, Portland Clean Elections has already reduced the amount of campaign spending overall in Portland elections. I hope that other municipalities across Maine will adopt similar programs to make it possible for working-class people to enter politics and transform our communities.

I look forward to meeting many more of you as we do this work together. The message I want everyone to hear right now is that I care about you, I value your unique perspective, and I want to hear from you. I have a 90-day plan to build a stronger community and will share it with you soon. There will be a regular D5 Newsletter as well, so please hit the “follow” button and confirm your email address so you won’t miss any important news.

For now I want to send massive thanks out to the many campaign volunteers, Clean Elections donors, neighbors, friends, furry friends, and family members who made this campaign not just successful, but positively joyful. You never stopped believing, and that made all the difference. I’ve been so inspired by your talents, hard work, faith, humor, and love, and I’ll carry all of that forward with me into office. It takes patience, trust, and hard work to build a people-powered movement. If today’s results are any indication, we’re well on our way.

At a street fair recently, I met a sidewalk poet who spontaneously lent their energy to this campaign with a poem that still leaves me breathless with wonder. I think it says everything. Enjoy! -Kate

PATIENT POWER a poem for Kate, by Coelti

What we build is
up to us,
attention clarifying
what is expressed
& what is hidden.
We counter what might 
have been & what 
has been too long,
patient power presencing
in the relational process
of community. 

If we make it official,
through all the arenas 
available to cooperation,
it will be through our hands
that the work is done.

Minds can make much of a 
future unwritten, but
it is touch that makes 
the long haul wonderful,
a journey of belief
meeting the art
of the possible.

It’s Election Day! How do I vote?

Election Day is today, Tuesday November 7, 2023. Polls are open from 7 am – 8 pm

Polling locations are ADA compliant and it’s FREE to ride the Metro bus on Election Day.

Return absentee ballots by 8 pm on Election Day to one of two 24-hour secure drop boxes by the Myrtle Street entrance of City Hall, or the Public Works building at 212 Canco Road.

Maine has same-day voter registration! If it’s your first time voting in Maine, you can register at the polls on Election Day. Just bring an ID, and a piece of mail with your address on it, if possible.

Click the button below and enter your address to find your polling location!

Find my polling location

What is Social Housing?

For over a decade, we’ve given private developers money, land, and tax incentives to build housing in Portland, only to come up 10,000 units short of what we need today. Workers, families, young people just starting out, students, and retirees all suffer under a housing market that caters to real estate speculators, corporate landlords, and wealthy second and third home investors.

Home ownership was once how millions of Americans were able to enter the middle class and build financial security for our families, but no more. In Portland, owning a home is increasingly the exclusive privilege of the already wealthy. Cost burdened renters are unable to save for a down payment on a first home, and even if they could get ahead, what used to be “fixer-uppers” are now sold as tear-downs to make way for high-end single family homes. It would be foolish to continue to invest in this failed system and expect different results.

As Portland looks to implement new State and local zoning regulations to undo a century of exclusionary zoning, and increase density, we must also recognize that more housing supply overall will not automatically lower home prices, or make it easier to find an affordable apartment. In fact, up-zoning areas where affordable housing development has been resisted can have the opposite effect, increasing speculation and displacing people of color. Portland’s historic districts may have actually helped stabilize housing for low income BIPOC communities by preventing exactly this kind of rapid development.

So, how do we build a lot more housing in Portland without creating out of control gentrification, displacement, and racial inequality? The answer is non-market housing, or “Social Housing,” which is built for the express purpose of housing people, not extracting profit, and remains permanently affordable because it’s shielded from market incentives. Social housing also helps to stabilize the private market by providing affordable alternatives.

And it delivers a higher return on public tax dollars because it remains off the private market forever. As loans are paid down, rent payments are leveraged to build more housing. And the more of it we build, the more market stability it provides.

Social Housing also fosters greater democracy and social equity among residents because it’s community-owned and managed. The model has been used successfully around the world, most notably in Vienna, where 60% of people live in public housing, and competitions for funding ensure that housing is beautifully designed and conforms to rigorous environmental standards. Seattle, WA passed a social housing initiative in February, and Montgomery County, MD has been using the model successfully for decades.

Social Housing is a broad term that can include mixed income public housing, limited equity co-ops built on community land trusts, and non-profit owned and managed rentals, some of which we are already doing here in Portland. But we need more of it. A lot more. Social Housing is a way to address Portland’s housing crisis that will help us build the housing we need now, and prepare for future growth.

If elected, I’ll make it my top policy priority.

One small but mighty trail.

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to ride my bike around District 5 with the Portland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and answer their 2023 Candidate Survey. It was a beautiful day and a lot of fun meeting the other candidates and talking with members of the committee about their work.

I’m an avid mountain biker and thought I knew Portland Trails backward and forward, but they showed me a cut-through I’d never seen before. It’s a nifty little connector from Maggie Lane to Eleanor St./Goodridge Ave. that allows you to avoid Morrill’s corner and Forest Ave. The trail that extends from it goes all the way out to Riverside Industrial Parkway and opens up some exciting possibilities as a commuter route. I’ve been using it a lot to knock on doors in the Riverton neighborhood.

The Advisory Committee does really great work researching bicycle, transit, and pedestrian issues, including handicap accessibility in Portland. They educate the public and advise the City on projects, including the Homeless Services Center, Franklin Street re-design, snow removal on sidewalks and around bus stops, and the need for bike safety education in our Public Schools. You can see their list of priorities for 2023 here.

If you’re excited about improving conditions for non-vehicular modes of transportation to make Portland more equitable and achieve our climate goals, please consider joining the committee and helping to advance their work. I look forward to working with them on projects in the future.

Kate Sykes
Clean Elections Candidate
City Council, District 5
207-558-5764
Kate@KateSykes.com
katesykes.com