HHS and Public Safety Committee — Portland, ME
Date: 2026-02-10
Time: 17:30

Remote HHS and Public Safety MEMBERS
Meeting Agenda Councilor Anna Bullett, District 4, Chair
 Councilor April Fournier, At-Large
February 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
 Councilor Sarah Michniewicz, District 1
Remote Meeting Councilor Wesley Pelletier, District 2



There will be opportunity for Public Comment on Agenda Item #5 2026 Committee Workplan Development.
To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email HHSPS@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions must be
received by 12:00 pm the day before the Health & Human Services and Public Safety meeting to guarantee their
inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the commenter's name and legal address. To help
ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please include the name of the agenda item (see below).

The Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee will conduct this meeting remotely via Zoom
pursuant to the Remote Meeting Policy adopted by the Portland City Council. Allow your computer to install
the free Zoom app to get the best meeting experience. If you are not able to attend live either in person or via
Zoom, a recording will be available in the Agenda Center following the meeting.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: Feb 10, 2026 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Remote HHS and Public Safety Meeting

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/81200951966?pwd=Gmq6OeWrWocDlmG8MNcG38dHPh4IOy.1
Passcode:960491

Phone one-tap:
+16469313860,,81200951966#,,,,*960491# US
+19292056099,,81200951966#,,,,*960491# US (New York)

Join via audio:
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Webinar ID: 812 0095 1966
Passcode: 960491
International numbers available:https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kb3mdYLUb3




1. Announcements


2. Review and Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2026


 a. Draft meeting minutes
3. Winter Warming Shelter Update (Maggie McLoughlin, HHS Director)
 This update is a standing agenda item through the end of winter warming shelter
 operations in April.
4. Public Saftey Update (Mark Dubois, Chief of Police)
 A standing public safety update that alternates each month between the Police and Fire
 departments.
 a. Staff Update
5. 2026 Committee Work Plan Development (Councilor Anna Bullett, Chair)
 The committee will discuss its 2026 Committee Work Plan informed by the finalized 2026
 Common Council Goals .
 a. The 2026 Common Council Goals & Draft 2026 Work Plan
6. Next Meeting: March 10, 2026

Remote HHS and Public Safety MEMBERS
Meeting Agenda Councilor Anna Bullett, District 4, Chair
 Councilor April Fournier, At-Large
February 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
 Councilor Sarah Michniewicz, District 1
Remote Meeting Councilor Wesley Pelletier, District 2



There will be opportunity for Public Comment on Agenda Item #5 2026 Committee Workplan Development.
To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email HHSPS@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions must be
received by 12:00 pm the day before the Health & Human Services and Public Safety meeting to guarantee their
inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the commenter's name and legal address. To help
ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please include the name of the agenda item (see below).

The Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee will conduct this meeting remotely via Zoom
pursuant to the Remote Meeting Policy adopted by the Portland City Council. Allow your computer to install
the free Zoom app to get the best meeting experience. If you are not able to attend live either in person or via
Zoom, a recording will be available in the Agenda Center following the meeting.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: Feb 10, 2026 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Remote HHS and Public Safety Meeting

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/81200951966?pwd=Gmq6OeWrWocDlmG8MNcG38dHPh4IOy.1
Passcode:960491

Phone one-tap:
+16469313860,,81200951966#,,,,*960491# US
+19292056099,,81200951966#,,,,*960491# US (New York)

Join via audio:
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

 Page 1
Webinar ID: 812 0095 1966
Passcode: 960491
International numbers available:https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kb3mdYLUb3




1. Announcements


2. Review and Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2026


 a. Draft meeting minutes
3. Winter Warming Shelter Update (Maggie McLoughlin, HHS Director)
 This update is a standing agenda item through the end of winter warming shelter
 operations in April.
4. Public Saftey Update (Mark Dubois, Chief of Police)
 A standing public safety update that alternates each month between the Police and Fire
 departments.
 a. Staff Update
5. 2026 Committee Work Plan Development (Councilor Anna Bullett, Chair)
 The committee will discuss its 2026 Committee Work Plan informed by the finalized 2026
 Common Council Goals .
 a. The 2026 Common Council Goals & Draft 2026 Work Plan
6. Next Meeting: March 10, 2026




 Page 2
 Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee

 January 13, 2026, 5:30 PM Remote Meeting

Committee Attendance:
Anna Bullett, Chair (District 4), Sarah Michniewicz (District 1), (Wesley Pelletier (District 2).
Councilor Attendance:
City Staff:
Adam Harr, Executive Assistant; Greg Jordan, Assistant City Manager; Chad Johnston, Fire
Chief; Caity Hager, Emergency Management Coordinator; Maggie McLoughlin, Director or
HHS; Dena Libner, Assistant City Manager.

1. Announcements
 • Councilor Fournier unable to attend due to employment responsibilities.
2. Review and Approval of Minutes from November 13, 2025
 • Councilor Pelletier Moved to approve the minutes and seconded by Councilor Michniewicz.
 The minutes were approved unanimously 3-0 with Councilor Fournier absent at the time of
 approval.

3. Discussion: Winter Warming Shelter Activation Threshold (Councilor Anna Bullett, Chair)
 • Emergency Management Coordinator Hager explained the thresholds for activation were
 retained from last year.
 o Threshold
 o Analyze historical data and forecasts for the season and meet with the shelter directors to
 determine how many days the shelter would likely be activated and determine how many
 activations funding would allow.
 • Director McLoughlin explained that hypothermia sets in at 45 degrees which informs the
 threshold.
 o It costs approximately $7,000 per activation; funding allows for 50 activations.
 o The Warming Shelter
 • Are there data on exposure deaths on nights the shelter was not activated?
 o Have not been able to identify a data source for tracking at the state level; housing status
 is not captured by vital statistics by the state.
 • Councilor Michniewicz noted that that the shelter did not open two nights that thresholds would
 have called for which occurred multiple times in the previous iteration when the shelter was run
 by community partners.
 • We have activated 12 nights
 o Half of the individual served have not stayed at the HSC, either at alll or in the past 6
 months.
 o 35% have been at the HSC in the last 6 months.
 o 15% have been at the HSC in the last 6 to 12 months range.
 • Chair Bullett requested that this remains a standing update through the end of Winter.




 Page 3
4. Committee 2026 Workplan
 • Goal is to determine top level priorities.
 o Council Pelletier requested:
  a protocol for alerts of cruise ships disembarking with norovirus to
 communicate to the public and for staff
  An on-peninsula day space
  Overdose prevention centers.
  Immigration policies and clarifying gray zones.
 • May be able to get an update from the District Attorney.
 • How do our officers and citizens interact with agents of unknown
 affiliation? (uniform requirements)
 o Council Michniewicz
  Seconded day space
  Community policing stations are physically limited leaving some neighborhoods
 to go without.
 • Greater distribution for the public to have access and for officers to be
 dedicated to those areas.
 • The civilian coordinators interface with the community and as a result of
 these limitations, some areas are underserved.
 • Overview of where they could potentially be sited.
  Framework for how we approach social services in Portland.
  Update on food service delivery.
 • Will potentially dovetail with day space.
  Urban rangers update.
 • Will be included in the PD update every other month with Fire and
 additional HHS division updates.
 o Chair Bullett
  Reminded that the first held session of Council goal setting occurred last night
 and this work plan won’t be finalized until the Council goal settings are
 finalized.
  Regional coordination on homeless services.
 • Every other month reports.
 • Needle waste impact
 o Root cause solutions.
  Housing Stability
 • Housing support funding; will follow HCDC work plan.
  Senior center.
 • Policy?
 • Feasibility Study?
 • Will prioritize seasonally impacted goals.
 • City Manager Jordan
 o S&T is handling most of Vision Zero, but a possible law enforcement element that
 would be included are red light cameras that could be relevant to this committee.
  Explore what can and cannot be done and what we would want or not want to do
 within those confines.
  Data security and privacy




 Page 4
  Evidence based analysis of does it save lives and its efficacy.
 o Current location of the police station and will update the committee.


Next meeting is February 10, 2026.

Councilor Pelletier oved to adjourn, and was seconded by Councilor Michniewicz. The motion passed
unanimously 3-0 (Councilor Fournier absent) and the meeting adjourned at 6:11 PM.




 Page 5
Health and Human Service / Public
 Safety Committee
 Public Safety Update
 Portland Police Department




 February 10, 2026
 Page 6
Crime Trends and Analysis

Violent Crime by Year
 ● 8.6% decrease in violent crime
 from 2024 to 2025.

 ● The decline is largely due to an
 18.5% drop in aggravated
 assaults.

 ● Sexual assaults increased by
 approximately 35%, while
 robberies remained consistent
 with the city's ten-year averages.

 ● No homicides were reported in
 2025; 12 have occurred since
 2020.


 Page 7
Crime Trends and Analysis

Property Crime by Year ● There was a 21% decrease in
 property crime from 2024 to
 2025.

 ● Declines were observed across
 all property crime categories in
 2025, including motor vehicle
 theft, arson, larceny, and
 burglary.

 ● Motor vehicle thefts declined
 from 125 to 111; however, the
 three-year trend remains higher
 than the ten-year average.




 Page 8
Crime Trends and Analysis - Calls for Service

Calls for Service by Year ● Calls for Service remained stable
 in 2025, increasing by 1%
 compared to 2024.

 ● The lowest call volumes occurred
 in 2020–2021, amid pandemic-
 related changes in activity.

 ● Calls for Service saw a noticeable
 uptick from 2023 to 2024 as
 activity levels continued to
 normalize.




 Page 9
Crime Trends and Analysis - Calls for Service

 ● Beat 4 continues to generate the
 highest number of calls for
 service, accounting for
 approximately 18% of the city’s
 total.

 ● Beats 3 (Old Port), 4 (Bayside),
 and 5 (West End) are consistently
 the busiest, as they encompass
 the peninsula and the majority of
 the downtown area.

 ● Beat 8 has experienced slight
 increases over the past two years,
 likely driven by calls for service at
 the Homeless Services Center.


 Page 10
Crime Trends and Analysis - Calls for Service

Calls for Service (CFS) are broken
down into Proactive and Reactive.

 ● Reactive - initiated by member
 of public usually via 911 or non-
 emergency line. Reactive calls
 have generally remained
 consistent, with recent increases
 reflecting a broader return to
 pre-COVID activity levels.

 ● Proactive: Proactive calls
 declined from 2020–2023,
 stabilized in 2024, and rose in
 2025, following adjustments to
 staff schedules to improve
 efficiency—up roughly 20% from
 2024 and 37% from 2023.

 Page 11
Crime Trends and Analysis - Arrests

● Overall arrest totals, counting
 both physical arrests and
 summons, showed no
 significant change from 2024.

● Beat 4(Bayside) had the
 highest number of arrests,
 followed by Beat 5(West End)
 and Beat 3(Old Port).

● In 2025, the most frequent
 charges were: violating
 conditions of release, warrants,
 unlawful possession of drugs,
 assault, and criminal trespass.




 Page 12
Crime Trends and Analysis - Overdoses

 ● While total overdoses remain
 high, fatalities have declined to
 their lowest level in the past ten
 years.

 ● Beat 4 recorded the most
 overdoses (213), followed by Beat
 8 (117), together accounting for
 approximately 62% of total
 overdoses.

 ● Among 535 overdose cases, 293
 individuals refused transport, 224
 were transported, and 18 were
 fatal.

 ● Officers administered Narcan 43
 times.
 Page 13
Crime Trends and Analysis - Traffic




● Dedicated traffic enforcement led to higher traffic stops and citations in 2025, with citations more than
 doubling compared to 2024.

● The most common violations ticketed were Red Light Violations (243), No Insurance (230), Speeding
 (152), Expired Registration (126), and Failing to Stop at a Stop Sign (100).
 Page 14
Crime Trends and Analysis - Traffic
 ● Overall crashes declined 7%, with
 decreases in every month except
 February, which saw a 58%
 increase. February accidents
 were all weather related.

 ● Notably, hit-and-run crashes
 increased by over 80% compared
 with the previous three years,
 with 885 incidents reported
 citywide in 2025.

 ● Injury-related crashes accounted
 for 14% of all incidents, with 23
 involving bicycles and 32
 involving pedestrians.

 ● In 2025, there were five fatalities,
 including four pedestrians and
 one driver.
 Page 15
Health and Human Service / Public
 Safety Committee
 Public Safety Update
 Portland Police Department




 February 10, 2026
 Page 16
City of Portland | Executive Department
Danielle West, City Manager



Portland Common Council
Goals 2026 to Committee
Workplans
Through the 2026 goal-setting process, the Portland City Council has identified six Common
Council Goals that will guide the Council’s collective work this year. These goals represent areas
where councilors expressed shared commitment to advancing meaningful change. During the
goal-setting workshops, councilors also identified concrete actions the Council could consider to
translate these high-level goals into tangible policy work.

The attached chart demonstrates how these priority themes, specific goals, and proposed actions
connect to create an integrated approach to Portland's most pressing challenges. As committees
develop their detailed 2026 workplans, this framework provides a roadmap for ensuring
individual committee work contributes to Council-wide progress. The specific actions identified
by councilors serve as starting points for committee deliberations, with the understanding that
committees may refine, prioritize, or sequence these actions based on capacity, timing, and
emerging opportunities.

The 2026 Common Council Goals represent an ambitious agenda that seeks to make progress on
Portland's most critical needs while building toward long-term community resilience. The
connection between these goals and proposed committee actions provides a clear pathway from
aspiration to implementation, ensuring that the Council's collective vision translates into
meaningful policy change for Portland residents




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | 207-874-8300 | info@portlandmaine.gov

 Page 17
 2026 Common Council Goals Mapped to Council Committees with Potential Actions for Consideration in Committee Workplans

Theme Description Committee Potential Action
 Consider adjustments to inclusionary zoning ordinance to promote housing production.
 Address Portland’s housing challenges by Consider policy amendments to streamline building permit application review and approval.
Accelerate Housing Housing &
 encouraging the development of more
Production and Economic Review Social Housing Task Force recommendations and consider council action on next steps.
 homes and protecting affordability, so
Strengthen Affordability Development
 current and future residents can live and Consider amendment to Duson Trust Fund ordinance to support housing assistance for residents
Protections Committee
 thrive in our community. (e.g., eviction prevention, security deposit assistance).
 Consider amendment to the rent control ordinance to strengthen enforcement.
 Consider council action to support reduction in chronic homelessness by 50% (currently 120
 Decrease the number of people
 Health & people experiencing chronic homelessness) by end of 2026 (e.g., consideration on day shelter,
 experiencing chronic homelessness by
 Human adjustments to charitable food distribution license, regional and state partnerships).
Reduce Chronic advancing policy to enhance support
 Services &
Homelessness systems and address the underlying causes Review missions of city shelter facilities (i.e., Family Shelter, Warming Center).
 Public Safety
 that lead to housing instability in our
 Committee Consider amending the rate of exchange for the needle exchange program with a public health
 community.
 perspective.
 Support Vision Zero plan roll-out with council leadership.

 Create safer streets for all users by Express public support for Franklin Street Arterial plan and implementation.
 Sustainability &
Reduce Pedestrian and advancing policy to prevent traffic deaths
 Transportation Consider development of Vision Zero ordinance, focused on complete streets, pedestrian safety,
Bicyclist Fatalities and injuries while improving accessibility for walkability, and community engagement.
 Committee
 pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
 Develop legislative proposal for intersection camera pilot to improve safety to be introduced in the
 2027 State Legislature session.

Support Affordability for Ease the tax burden for Portland residents Consider a policy amendment to expand tax affordability programs such as Portland Senior Tax
All Residents Through by finding new ways to fund city services Finance Equity Program (P-STEP).
New Revenue Policies and providing direct tax relief to households Committee Consider a policy amendment to diversify city revenue streams to offset taxpayer burden (e.g,
and Targeted Tax Relief who need it most. fiscal impact of cruise ships, Payment in Lieu of Taxes).

 Address climate change by cutting carbon
 emissions, expanding clean energy and Sustainability &
Advance the Goals of Consider policy to further advance One Climate Future goals are met (e.g., environmental impacts
 energy-efficient buildings, supporting Transportation
One Climate Future of cruise ships, viability of solar on municipal buildings).
 sustainable transportation, and preparing Committee
 Portland for a resilient, low-carbon future.
 Foster a thriving local economy by Housing & Explore ordinance regulating parking lot advertising and pricing disclosure requirements.
Strengthen Economic
 increasing support for businesses and Economic
Vitality and Support Local Close out council action on Live Nation venue proposal.
 strengthening conditions that help Portland's Development
Businesses
 business community grow. Committee Consider policy to enhance public support for the arts.




 Page 18
Common Council Goals 2026

 Page 19
As the elected voice of Portland’s residents
and businesses, the City Council sets the
City’s policy direction. The Council’s Common
Goals deﬁne the policy priorities and provide
a clear focus for the Council's work in the
year ahead.

 Page 20
Portland's 2026 Common Council Goals are
guided by our commitment to equity, safety,
and connection, ensuring that our work
strengthens communities and creates
pathways for all residents to thrive.

 Page 21
Accelerate Housing Production and
Strengthen Affordability Protections
Housing & Economic Development Committee

Address Portland’s housing challenges by encouraging the development of more
homes and protecting affordability, so current and future residents can live and
thrive in our community.




 Page 22
Reduce Chronic Homelessness
Health & Human Services & Public Safety Committee

Decrease the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness by advancing
policy to enhance support systems and address the underlying causes that lead to
housing instability in our community.




 Page 23
Reduce Pedestrian and Bicyclist
Fatalities
Sustainability & Transportation Committee

Create safer streets for all users by advancing policy to prevent trafﬁc deaths and
injuries while improving accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.




 Page 24
Support Affordability for All Residents
Through New Revenue Policies and
Targeted Tax Relief
Finance Committee

Ease the tax burden for Portland residents by ﬁnding new ways to fund city
services and providing direct tax relief to households who need it most.




 Page 25
Advance the Goals of One Climate
Future
Sustainability & Transportation Committee

Address climate change by cutting carbon emissions, expanding clean energy and
energy-efﬁcient buildings, supporting sustainable transportation, and preparing
Portland for a resilient, low-carbon future.




 Page 26
Strengthen Economic Vitality and
Support Local Businesses
Housing & Economic Development Committee

Foster a thriving local economy by increasing support for businesses and
strengthening conditions that help Portland's business community grow.




 Page 27
City of Portland | City Council
Mark Dion, Mayor




Draft 2026 Work Plan for the Health & Human Services and
Public Safety Council Committee




The Portland City Council established its 2026 Common Goals (Attached) on January 26, 2026,
formally communicating its policy priorities for the coming year and setting a foundation for the
development of Council committees’ work plans.

The 2026 schedule currently includes nine (9) meetings for each committee, and the development
of a single, original policy initiative typically takes two or three committee meetings. This




 ft
includes conceptual discussion, review of a draft ordinance or other policy document, and a public
hearing where the committee votes on whether or not to recommend that the City Council adopt
the policy initiative. Based on those constraints, it is recommended that a committee work plan
include no more than five (5) original policy initiatives to start.

In addition to the development and consideration of original policy initiatives, committee work




 ra
will also include consideration of items referred to a committee by the Council or brought by staff,
as well as hosting panels or presentations as needed.

 Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee​




 Policy Initiative
 2026 Work Plan



 Related Council Goal
 Priority
 Ranking




D1.​ Review missions of city shelter facilities
 (i.e., Family Shelter, Warming Shelter)

 2.​ Consider recommending funding a
 dayspace as part of the FY27 budget

 3.​ Consider policy to allow the operation
 of overdose prevention centers

 4.​ Assess and consider regulation of
 charitable food distribution

 5.​ Review current efforts to reduce syringe
 waste and explore additional policy
 solutions.
 Reduce Chronic Homelessness


 Reduce Chronic Homelessness


 Reduce Chronic Homelessness


 Reduce Chronic Homelessness


 Reduce Chronic Homelessness
 TBD


 TBD


 TBD


 TBD


 TBD




 1

 Page 28
 6.​ Potential item related to public safety - N/A TBD
 subject to Committee consensus.

 7.​ Potential item related to cruise ships N/A TBD
 and public health - subject to Committee
 consensus.




 Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee
 2026 Calendar (Dates and topics are subject to change)

February 10:
 ●​

March 10:
 ●​

April 14:
 ●​ ​
 ft
May 12:
 ●​

June 9:
 ●​



July 14:
 ●​
 ra
D
August: No meeting

September 8:
 ●​

October 13:
 ●​

November 10
 ●​

December: No meeting




 2

 Page 29

Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee

 February 10 2026, 5:30 PM Remote Meeting

Committee Attendance:
Anna Bullett, Chair (District 4), Sarah Michniewicz (District 1), (Wesley Pelletier (District 2).
April Fournier (At-Large)
Councilor Attendance: Pious Ali (At-Large)
City Staff:
Adam Harr, Executive Assistant; Greg Jordan, Assistant City Manager; Mark Dubois, Police
Chief; Maggie McLoughlin, Director or HHS; Dena Libner, Assistant City Manager; Chad
Johnston, Fire Chief.


1. Announcements
 • Public comment will be taken on the committee work plan.

2. Review and Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2025
 • Councilor Moved to approve the minutes and seconded by Councilor. The minutes were
 approved unanimously 3-0 with Councilor Fournier not yet at the meeting.

3. Winter Warming Shelter Update
 • HHS Director McLoughlin gave an update:
 o It has been open for 32 nights.
 o 343 unduplicated clients at about 50 per night.
  Low of 15.
  High of 61.
 o 90% have done coordinated entry information releases.
 o Half have never been to the Homeless Services Center or within the last six months.
 o Self-reported substance use disorder and mental health issues.
 o People in Coordinated Entry have a collective 124 years of homelessness.
 o 2,430 OT hours from staff to date.
 o Grant for 400,000 with $160,000 and costs about $30,000 per week.
 o We are on track to open 64 days when we were budgeted for 50 days.

Committee questions and concerns
 • Do we anticipate needing to ask for more funding?
 o Not currently.
 • What data is reported to MaineHousing and at what interval?

4. Public Safety Update
 • Overall decease in violent crime.
 • Decrease in property crime across all categories.
 • 1% increase in calls for service.
 • Bayside represents 18% of calls for service.
 • Reactive calls increasing and proactive (officer initiated) decreasing.
 o Attributed to less staff.
 • Overdoses high at 535, 18 of which were fatal.
 • Narcan was admitted in almost all, but officer administered Narcan 43 times.
 • Citations doubled over last year due to a focus on traffic violations.
 • Hit and run crashes are up.

Committee questions and concerns

 • Sexual assaults are up 33%
 o Many more reported.
 o Assessing the reason.
 o Will return with the total number.
 • Is there a partnership opportunity with Through These Doors?
 o Yes, they have an office in the PD.
 • Urban ranger program
 o On their own since the end of the last week.
 o Just getting started due to a delay in uniforms.
 o They will focus on the non-grass city parks on peninsula.
 o They will have tracked citations and will issue reports.
  Routines will evolve over the next three months as the season changes.


5. Committee 2026 Workplan
 • Councilor Michniewicz asked how the policy initiatives will lower the 120 chronically
 homeless number by 50% (housing 60 people.
 o This number is a moving target and is up for debate.
 o Staff would like clarification on if staff should focus on unsheltered or chronic
 (120 does not make sense of outside of just unsheltered).
 • Councilor Fournier said that metrics will be developed as higher level policy initiatives
 get developed.
 o Homelessness is a regional issue and should not just be Portland driven and that
 be reflected in the providers we speak to and the metrics tracked.
 o Day space is her top priority.
 o Missions of City shelter is second.
  Use to inform a clear funding ask.
 • Councilor Pelletier
 o Wants cruise ship protocol included.
 o Thinks Days space and Overdose Prevention Sites will improve outcomes in the
 continuum of care and will decrease chronic homelessness.
 • Would like all shelters in the city to share data.
 • Day space can be informed by St Vincent DePaul’s work and data from this year.
 • Buy-back program is reducing syringe waste.
 • Ranking
 1. Consider recommending funding a day space as a part of FY27 budget
 2. Review missions of shelter facilities
 3. Consider policy to allow the operation of overdose prevention centers
 4. Review current efforts to reduce syringe waste and explore additional policy solutions
 5. Cruise ships (Norovirus or other infectious disease protocol)
 6. Assess and consider regulation of charitable food distribution

 • Can staff include cruise ship communicable disease info as part of their normal work?
 o Staff would present on how Public Health partners with CDC and how we may
 communicate to the public in different scenarios.
  CDC did not flag norovirus so the committee would need to direct staff but a
 vote or policy is not needed.
  Looking for what City comms will due when there is an outbreak.
 • Public comment
 o Joan Lochtov thanked the committee for looking at an improved protocol for cruise
 ships. There was a gap last October and they have a proposal for improved
 communication between the port, cruise ships, and the public.
 o Tess Parks, Resident of District 5 is excited to see Overdose Prevention Centers
 considered as a top goal. We have seen a 20% reduction in the past year, but 1 Mainer a
 day is still dying which is a policy failure. They encouraged people to read the legislated
 appointed committee to study Overdoes Prevention Center’s report that show they
 reduce sing litter and there is not data suggesting that they increase crime. The syringe
 buy-back program leading to a 20% increase in safe syringe disposal is incredible. They
 offered themselves as Policy Director of Maine Recovery Action project for any data
 needed.

Next meeting is March 10, 2026.
Councilor Michniewicz moved to adjourn, and was seconded by Councilor Fournier. The motion passed
unanimously 4-0 and the meeting adjourned at 6:24 PM.