Land Bank Commission

NOTICE: THE LAND BANK COMMISSION WILL BE MEETING VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The October Land Bank Commission will be a series of site visits. Please click on the link to the right to learn more. 

About the Commission


The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources within the City of Portland. The commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic, or outdoor recreational values.

The commission responsibilities include:
  • Working for the acquisition and conservation of open space within the city
  • Recommending to the City Council on a priority basis acquisition or conservation of significant properties
  • Pursuit of gifts and funds from private and public sources for the acquisition of open space as approved by the City Council
The commission has developed an inventory of open space resources within the city. It is engaged in an ongoing effort to proactively protect properties from development through easement, deed restriction, or acquisition.

Meetings


The Land Bank Commission meets the second Wednesday of the month from 5:00PM - 6:30PM.

Due to the existence of an emergency or urgent issue the Land Bank Commission will conduct this
meeting by remote methods/technology at the Zoom link provided below, in accordance
with the requirements of 1 M.R.S. section 403-B and the Land Bank Commission Remote
Participation Policy.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/98497248698?pwd=QjJ1OUdoaitxMHZsb1V4RzRZbE50QT09

Passcode: LandB8nk!3

Or iPhone one-tap : 
    US: +13126266799,,98497248698#,,,,*6328715818#  or +19292056099,,98497248698#,,,,*6328715818# 
Or Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782 
Webinar ID: 984 9724 8698
Passcode: 6328715818
    International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/abiWAIDFaw




Agendas & Minutes


Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View All Agendas and Minutes

Current land bank Commissioners

Commissioner District/Rep Term Start  Term End Biography
Pat Bailey, Chair At Large 06/15/2015 06/30/2024 Pat Bailey has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of multi-family housing development, with specialized expertise in financing, restructuring debt and analyzing affordable housing regulated by federal, state and local jurisdictions. Her employment experience includes activities supporting acquisition, development, construction and management of properties for national publicly held companies and small partnerships. She has lived in Portland for the last 8 years and is the managing partner of a small business, www.buildingperformanceadvisors.com, involved in building initiatives with a national and international client base. She has chaired the Land Bank Commission for the last several years and loves to take advantage of all of Portland’s Trails.
Simon Rucker, Secretary District 1 02/26/2016 06/30/2022 Simon Rucker is the Executive Director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, whose mission is to protect the land along the A.T. in Maine for public benefit. He is also an East End Community School Garden classroom volunteer, a Walking School Bus walk leader and a volunteer trail maintainer. Simon lives on Munjoy Hill with his wife and two children, all of whom love to get out in Portland's great open spaces.
Baxter Miatke, Treasurer District 3 01/20/2021 06/30/2023 Baxter is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Maine and Vermont. He is an environmental engineer by training and came to work in Maine after earning his master's degree from the University of Vermont. He loves working and playing in the City of Portland, especially in his neck of the Evergreen Cemetery woods, which spurred him to join the Land Bank Commission to help protect spaces like this one across the city. He is pleased to be able to serve on the commission to help protect our magnificent parks and lands for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic, and outdoor recreational values.
Kara Wooldrik Portland Trails Representative 06/20/2018 06/30/2024 Kara has been the Executive Director of Portland Trails since 2012, and has used the trail network and Land Bank properties as a runner, cyclist, commuter, dog-owner, skier, and self proclaimed “nature nerd” since 2000. Kara sees trails, active transportation and conservation as tools to create more healthy and just human and natural communities. For 10 years, Kara was the Education Director at Maine Audubon, overseeing all education initiatives of the state’s largest Conservation and Education organization. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Bowdoin College for 8 years in the Environmental Studies Program, helping students learn how to engage children and adults in activities that build healthy and sustainable communities. Kara is the Co-Chair of the Trails and Cities Task Team of the World Trails Network. She also serves on numerous international and regional boards and committees focused on creating healthier communities for people and nature.
Jon Kachmar At Large 06/01/2019 06/30/2022  Jon's background includes directing programs in multiple New England states focused on regional coastal habitat protection and restoration as well as urban conservation strategies focused on brining the benefits of nature to people living in cities. Jon has worked on coastal habitat restoration projects from Long Island, New York to Cape Sable, Nova Scotia including salt marsh restoration, dam removal and river realignment projects. His work has included several opportunities to build programs from inception, and he has extensive experience with facilitating diverse partnerships representing environmental nonprofits and other sectors.

Jennifer Fox At Large 01/23/2020 06/23/2023 Recently retired from owning a Pub on Portland’s waterfront, Jennifer’s career has been in non-profit fundraising and marketing. She holds a Masters’ degree in Management from Antioch University; A Certificate in Mediation from Harvard’s Program on Negotiation; and a BA from Franklin Pierce College. Her environmental background includes serving on Conservation Commissions in Manchester and Newmarket New Hampshire and as the Director of Development for New Hampshire Audubon. She’s an active volunteer with Friends of Casco Bay and she spends as much time as possible on Portland Trails. She understands that open space is a priceless community asset. She and her husband Rick live year ‘round on Great Diamond Island where they provide sustenance for an ever-growing community of backyard birds.

Jayne Foley District 4 06/30/2021 06/30/2024 Jayne Foley is a recent graduate of University of Southern Maine’s Master’s in Policy, Planning and Management with a focus in Sustainable Development. Between receiving her masters degree and working in numerous internship positions including with the New England Environmental Finance Center, she has an advanced education in sustainable, urban development and planning. Recent studies include her master’s thesis on Outdoor Recreation and COVID-19 in Maine and a research paper on Ending Homelessness in the City of Portland. Currently she is serving with the Maine Energy AmeriCorps Program and working in the service industry in downtown Portland. She is an active community member living in the downtown Portland area. Jayne spends her free time running and hiking the trails in Portland and enjoying all the city has to offer.
Daniel Herzlinger District 4 06/30/2021 06/30/2024 Dan is a Senior Project Manager and certified Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) at a civil/environmental engineering firm with 20 years of experience in the environmental science field. He has worked for non-profits as an environmental educator, served as a town conservation agent managing municipal open spaces and has been employed in the engineering and consulting field since 2006, working on a range of projects from watershed assessment plans to renewable energy development. Dan first gained an appreciation for local parks and trails in high school while working for his hometown’s parks department each summer conducting trail maintenance and improvements. Dan volunteered in the past as a tour guide for the Emerald Necklace Conservancy in Boston and currently volunteers for Portland Trails as a trail monitor at Canco Woods. He greatly values the network of trails and open spaces we find here in our backyard in Portland, given that many residents in the city do not always have the time or ability to get away to the wilder parts of Maine. Dan lives in the Back Cove neighborhood with his wife and two young children and especially enjoys mountain biking and kayaking.
Robert Foster District 4 06/30/2021 06/30/2023  
Andrew Zarro, City Councilor District 4 City Council Appointee    

Staff Members

  • Ethan Hipple, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management
  • Doug Roncarati, Storm Water Program Coordinator, Public Works
  • Michael Goldman, Associate Corporate Counsel
  • Samara Ray, Senior Executive Assistant, Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management