March 21, 2023

Dear Portlanders,

It's been a while since I've written and I'm sorry about that. More to come over the next few months, for sure! Below I address three really important matters. First - Portland's new Homeless Services Center. Second - the City Manager Search. Third - the FY24 Budget Process. I hope this update is helpful.

HSC:
The City of Porrland will celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Homeless Services Center tomorrow, Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:00am, on site. 
This move allows the city to stop using longtime rented space on Oxford Street, increase the number of beds for individuals experiencing the need for emergency shelter from 154 to 208, and bring services under one roof. 
From the press release: "The HSC will transform the way in which the City and its partners provide critical services to those experiencing homelessness. The new site will replace the City’s current emergency shelter at Oxford Street, which was not designed to serve in this capacity, and can only serve clients with mats on the floor. The City is partnering with several local service providers to provide critical wrap-around services on-site at the new HSC. These partners include: Preble Street, Amistad, The Opportunity Alliance, and Greater Portland Health. Meals and healthcare services will be available on-site as well as services that help clients with re-entering the workforce and finding transitional housing."

City Manager Search:
Two days after voters in Portland made the decision to stick with the current City Council, Mayor and City Manager structures, the Search Committee of the City Council picked back up the work to hire a permanent City Manager. 
All information regarding The City Manager Search Committee, Process and Recruitment Schedule is available on the city's website. Please check it out!
(All past committee meetings are available to view, and all meetings are available to the public. The next meeting will be on March 30th at 8:00am on Zoom.)
We have built in many opportunities for community engagement - and two of them are upcoming:
The Search Committee will hold two Community Listening Sessions on Zoom: the first is tomorrow, March 22nd at 7pm and the second is Wednesday, March 29th at 5pm. These will be one hour long each, come one, come all, tell us what you think forums. (Click the above link FMI and for Zoom links to the sessions.)

Annual Budget:
The FY24 Budget work is underway. Finance Committee and Budget Materials available here.
Last night, the City Council approved the FY24 CIP Budget. Click here to see supporting materials for the FY24 CIP - and scroll to Orders 147, 148 and 156. 
The next Finance Committee meeting will be next Tuesday, March 28th at 5pm on Zoom. This will be a joint meeting with the School Board's Finance Committee. 
On April 10th, the City Council will receive the City Manager's Recommended Budget - at the Council meeting which starts at 5:00pm (in person and on Zoom). 

I realize that I'm touching very briefly on these three important topics - but I also know that sometimes less is more when it comes to email text! :-)
Please plug in where you can. Please reach out with questions.

Very Sincerely,
Kate Snyder

PS - I'll hold my March Mayor Zoom on Monday, March 27th at 8:00am on Zoom. Please join me for an informal chance to discuss matters on your mind, ask questions, share info, and hear from your neighbors. 
Mayor Monthly Zoom Meetings - Dates + Info