The Legislative/Nominating Committee of the Portland City Council convened on January 7, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, focusing primarily on housing protections and police training modifications.

The meeting began with a discussion on a proposed bill aimed at extending affordability protections for tenants. A council member described the bill as technical but essential, emphasizing its role in creating a safety net for tenants nearing the end of their protection period. The committee unanimously voted to forward the bill to the legislature for further consideration, with Councilor Grama moving the motion and Councilor Sykes seconding it.

Next, the committee addressed a recommended modification to Title 25, which would eliminate the residency requirement for police training at Bassilboro. This change would allow the Portland Police Department to establish its own training academy. Council members expressed confidence in the department's ability to replicate the necessary training, noting that many instructors already work with the state academy. The discussion highlighted a significant backlog of nearly 350 pending applications for police training, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduced pool of potential recruits.

Councilor Sykes raised questions about whether the new training arrangement would be temporary or permanent and inquired about the academy's capacity to handle incoming classes. While specific capacity numbers were not provided, it was noted that typical classes consist of around 40 officers. The committee acknowledged the ongoing challenges in police recruitment and training, particularly in light of recent trends.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to addressing housing stability and enhancing police training capabilities in Portland. The next steps involve legislative action on the housing bill and further exploration of the police training modifications.