PORTLAND, Maine — In a Monday night meeting, Portland city councilors approved the sale of city-owned land on Cliff Island and at 71 Hanover St. in Bayside.
The City Council also approved a three-year labor agreement with 125 city police officers and detectives, retroactive to Jan. 5, 2014, and approved an amendment to the Portland Exposition Building lease with the Maine Red Claws professional basketball team.
The sale of the Department of Public Services salt and sand storage facility on Hanover Street to a group led by state Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, was opposed only by Councilor Ed Suslovic, who sought a delay in approval until more is learned about where sand and salt will be stored in the future.
The $340,000 sale will allow Alfond’s Bayside Bowl business to conduct a $2.4 million expansion of its Alder Street location and create new space and facilities for the Portland Community Squash club.
The Red Claws lease amendments add 10 years to the expiration date of 2019 and allow the team to replace center-court bleachers with seats, at a cost of about $366,000 for next season.
The police contract provides raises of 1 percent, retroactive to Jan. 5, 2014, July 6, 2014, and Jan. 4. A 3 percent raise will take effect Jan. 3, 2016. The contract expires Dec. 31, 2016. Of the $358,000 needed for the contract, $158,000 is currently budgeted.
Councilors also approved hiring Gina Tapp as the city’s new human resources director. Tapp will start at an annual salary of $98,000 on March 9.