The Public Meeting Index

The Housing and Land Use Committee of the Maui County Council met on October 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:44 a.m. to consider two zoning-related bills: Bill 141 (2026) for the Maui Research & Technology Park and Bills 24 (2024) and 25 (2024) for the Lanai Project District 2 (Kōʻele). Both bills were recommended for passage on first reading with amendments. Key outcomes included votes, amendments to conditions, and extensive discussion on density reductions, infrastructure, and community concerns. Public Comments & Testimony - Bill 141 (2026): No oral testimony was offered; no speakers signed up. - Bills 24 & 25 (2024): One oral testifier commented on a financial transaction involving the owner of Lanai and submitted a document for the record. No other oral testimony was received. Discussion Items Bill 141 (2026) – Maui Research & Technology Park Amendments - Presentation: Aaron Mukai of Pacific Rim Land, Inc. presented the bill, which reallocates acreage to expand the Residential District from 102.3 to 158 acres while keeping the same number of dwelling units (capped), reduces non-residential build-up area from 2,000,000 to 1,800,000 square feet, and codifies previously approved variances. Changes also include allowing minor medical centers in the Civic District and adjusting development standards (e.g., lot sizes, setbacks). The Maui Planning Commission recommended approval with a cap on single-family large lots at 14,000 square feet and unit size limits. - Committee Discussion: Councilmembers questioned transit hub plans, bus stops, civic lot usage, evacuation access (via Ninao Street), and data center expansion. The applicant confirmed two bus stops under construction, a future study for a transit hub, and no current plans for the civic lots beyond one park. No concerns were raised about the density reduction. - Vote: Motion by Vice Chair Batangan, second by Councilmember Cook. Passed 8 ayes, 0 noes, 1 excused (Councilmember Paltin). The bill was recommended for passage on first reading with non-substantive revisions. Bills 24 (2024) and 25 (2024) – Lanai Project District 2 (Kōʻele) Amendments - Presentation: Kurt Matsumoto of Pulama Lanai presented the bills, which downzone the district: 72% reduction in resort residential (from 634 to 110 units), 77% reduction in golf course acres (Cavendish golf course retained as free-play), and 1243% increase in open space/park acres. An 11.5-acre hotel expansion area is included for villa-type rooms and spa facilities. The project district is also cleaned up to align with the approved community plan and State Land Use Commission approval. The applicant requested two changes to conditions from the Lanai Planning Commission: add a time frame to condition 8 (water reporting) and remove condition 9 (bypass road triggered at 50% occupancy of units). - Committee Discussion: Councilmembers discussed the bypass road (condition 9), with several noting the road would impact existing homes and the trigger would never be met. Community concerns about Richardson house relocation, cemetery maintenance, and evacuation routes were addressed. The planning department supported removal of condition 9 and recommended a five-year reporting period for condition 8. - Amendments: - Condition 8: An amendment (motion by Councilmember Cook, second by Chair Lee) to insert "for a period of five years from the effective date of this ordinance" for quarterly water reports. A second amendment (motion by Councilmember Paltin, second by Councilmember Johnson) added that after five years of quarterly reports, annual reports would be required until phase 2 development begins, whichever comes sooner. This second amendment passed 6 ayes, 3 noes (Chair Lee, Cook, Sugimura opposed). The amended condition was then adopted as part of the main motion. - Condition 9: A separate amendment to strike condition 9 and renumber condition 10 to 9. Passed 5 ayes, 4 noes (Councilmembers Johnson, Paltin, Rollins-Fernandez, and Sinenci opposed). - Final Vote: Motion by Councilmember Sugimura, second by Councilmember Cook. The bills (CD1 versions) as amended were recommended for passage on first reading. Vote: 8 ayes, 1 no (Councilmember Rollins-Fernandez). Key Outcomes - Bill 141 (2026): Recommended for passage on first reading (8-0-1). Next step: full County Council consideration. - Bills 24 (2024) and 25 (2024): Recommended for passage on first reading as CD1 versions with amendments to conditions 8 and 9 (8-1). The amendments include a sunset on water reporting (quarterly for five years, then annual until phase 2) and removal of the bypass road condition. Next step: full County Council consideration. - All votes and amendments were recorded and will be incorporated into the final ordinances.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the Denver City Council met on October 21, 2026, at 1:30 PM to consider a proposed ordinance establishing best value contracting standards (Item 26-1540), hear a briefing on a proclamation opposing Amendment 82 (Item 26-1539), and approve 17 consent agenda items. Consent Calendar - All consent items were approved unanimously without discussion. They included contracts for wastewater pipe rehabilitation (26-1506), emergency wastewater repairs (26-1509), airport radio equipment and support (26-1516, 26-1518), landing fee billing services (26-1517), Self Bag Drop system maintenance (26-1519), Wildlife Hazard Management Plan services (26-1520), Harvard Gulch drainage and flood control improvements (26-1521), and Peoria Street Vision Zero intersection rehabilitation (26-1522). The committee also approved the 2027 annual costs for eight local maintenance districts: Skyline Park (26-1523), Tennyson (26-1524), Tennyson Street II (26-1525), West 38th Avenue Phase I (26-1526), Golden Triangle (26-1527), Phase II West 38th Avenue (26-1528), 32nd and Lowell (26-1529), and West 44th Avenue & Eliot Street (26-1530). Public Comments & Testimony Public comment was held on Item 26-1540. The following individuals spoke: - Anthony Trujillo (Business Manager, LiUNA Local 720) – expressed strong support for the ordinance, emphasizing contractor accountability and worker protection. - Jim Moody (Director of Industry Relations, Colorado Contractors Association) – stated that existing safeguards are sufficient, urged clarity on health insurance language, and provided a written memo. - Chaz Tedesco (former Adams County Commissioner, Political Director for SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 9) – spoke in favor, citing Adams County's successful experience with best value contracting. - Ali Spray (President/CEO, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado) – opposed, arguing the ordinance would create additional barriers for small and minority-owned businesses. - Zach Escobel (IBEW member, 28 years) – supported, stating Denver has delayed action for 16 years and calling for passage. - Tony Milo (CEO, Colorado Contractors Association) – expressed concerns about ambiguous language (e.g., "offer" of health insurance) and requested more time for revisions. - Jeremiah Waldrup (owner of a small contracting business) – supported, stating responsible contractors already meet the proposed standards. - Matt Hogan (Vice President, Kramer North America, board member of Colorado Contractors Association) – expressed concerns about the impact on subcontractors and the health insurance requirement. - Jason Waldrup (Business Manager, Colorado Building Trades Council) – supported, describing the requirements as a reasonable baseline. - Marlene Andrade (Owner, Chuckles Concrete; Chairwoman, Colorado Contractors Association) – opposed, citing burdens on small businesses and urging alternative language. Discussion Items - Best Value Contracting Ordinance (26-1540): Councilmembers Chris Hinds and Flor Alvidrez, co-sponsors, presented version 8 of the ordinance. They detailed the rationale for uniform best value standards, including accountability, worker safety, and alignment with city values. Concessions made during negotiations were highlighted: removal of a weighted formula, raising the contract threshold from $500,000 to $1 million, elimination of pre-certification for subcontractors, removal of apprenticeship requirements, and scaling back of health insurance offering requirements (employers must only offer, not necessarily pay, coverage). The sponsors argued that the ordinance would increase bid transparency and reduce wage theft and safety violations. - Committee and Staff Discussion: Councilmember Paul Kashmann questioned alignment with the city administration. Adreana Gibson, Executive Director of General Services, outlined remaining agency concerns: potential impacts on certified small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses; the subcontractor threshold; the need for a clear implementation timeline; and definitional clarity on terms such as "offer" of health insurance. Legislative Council attorney John Thekumparambil clarified that "offer" in legal terms implies a binding commitment, which may differ from the sponsors' intent of simply providing information. Councilmember Amanda Sandoval stated she was not prepared to move the item forward due to significant opposition from small businesses and the administration's last-minute memo. Councilmember Shontel Lewis requested a comparison document showing changes between versions. Councilmember Darren Watson expressed confidence that remaining issues could be resolved. Chair Flor Alvidrez and Councilmember Hinds urged passage with the understanding that details could be addressed through future rulemaking or at full council. - Proclamation Against Amendment 82 (26-1539): Councilmembers Kashmann and Lewis introduced a proclamation stating the city's opposition to Amendment 82, a statewide ballot initiative that would amend the Colorado Constitution to guarantee the right to purchase and sell natural gas. They argued the measure would impede Denver's climate goals, was promoted by a dark money group, and would create unintended legal consequences. No vote was required; the proclamation will be presented to the full City Council for adoption. Key Outcomes - Item 26-1540: A motion to postpone consideration to November 4, 2026, failed on a 3–3 vote (Aye: Flynn, Sandoval, Romero Campbell; Nay: Alvidrez, Hinds, Lewis; Absent: Gilmore). Because no majority voted to move the item out of committee, it remains in committee and will be placed on the next Transportation and Infrastructure Committee agenda (consent agenda for the following week). - Item 26-1539: The proclamation was briefed and will be forwarded to the full council for action. - Consent Items (26-1506 through 26-1530): All 17 items were approved by consent.

The Tulsa City Council Public Works Committee met at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Room 411 of One Technology Center, 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK. Chair Dutton presided, with Co-Chairs Hall-Harper, Decter Wright, and Bush. The committee received presentations on commission appointments, a proposed settlement payment, two downtown TIF district ordinances, a proposed human remains and cultural artifacts ordinance, and a travel authorization. Minutes were not available for the meeting. Discussion Items Appointments and Commission Recommendation - Marcia Bruno-Todd, CD-1, presented for appointment to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Dezeray Edwards for a term expiring July 1, 2027. Bruno-Todd, executive director of Leadership Tulsa and mother of four Tulsans, said she supported the commission's work on representation, disability/ADA issues, and veterans' communities. She was told the appointment would be voted on at the City Council meeting on October 28 at 5 p.m. - Eva Pena (Eva Peña Martin), CD-8, presented for appointment to the Tulsa Development Authority, replacing Elian Hurtado for a term expiring July 31, 2029. Pena described her engineering, operations, and community-development background, including helping create the Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Trust and developing 47 affordable housing units there over about three years. Her appointment was also scheduled for an October 28 council vote. - The committee considered a recommendation from the Greater Tulsa Area African-American Affairs Commission to replace its vacated Business Agents Networking Group seat with Blackwood, a community organization curating events for young African-American Tulsans and associated with Greenwood. A mayor's office liaison explained the recommendation; councilors discussed the commission's 12 organizational seats and whether organization-specific seats remain appropriate. The recommendation is scheduled for council action on October 28. Settlement Payment Resolution - Item 5 was a resolution authorizing payment of $21,923.23 from the Sinking Fund to plaintiff David Perry in David Perry v. City of Tulsa et al., with an emergency clause. The agenda lists the case as CJ-2026-4430; the transcript reads CJ-2026-430. Chad Becker from Treasury said the fund had sufficient cash and that repayment to the fund would be levied over three years. - City Legal explained the settlement arose from a July 20 collision at West 13th Street and South Denver Avenue involving a Tulsa police officer who entered an intersection on a red light with rear emergency lights but without full lights and siren. TPD determined the officer was at fault. There were no injuries; the payment covered damage to a new truck. - Councilors asked about officer training and the city's collision review boards. Legal staff described the TPD board and a separate general city board, point systems (typically 2 points for moving violations and up to 4 per incident; 10 points can lead to termination), and four voting members on the general board: management/asset management, city legal, a union member, and city safety. Legal staff said they could follow up on the officer's assigned training but could not discuss it in open session. A councilor suggested a future committee agenda item on the collision review board process. Downtown TIF Ordinances - Items 6 and 7 would designate Increment District J as Increment District Number 28 and Increment District K as Increment District Number 29 in the Second Amended Downtown Area Economic Development Project Plan. A Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity representative said the ordinances split the Philcade building TIF into two districts: District J would use sales tax increment and District K would use ad valorem and hotel/motel tax increment. He said this was needed for bond marketing and to maximize TIF proceeds because revenue streams begin at different times. After initially saying sales tax would start in January 2027, he corrected the start dates to February 2027 for sales tax and August 2028 for ad valorem/hotel-motel tax. - Councilors discussed TIF transparency and public access to TIF information online, and noted that a TIF is a gap-financing tool with time limits and community-benefit requirements, not a general fund pool. Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts Ordinance - Item 8 was an emergency-clause ordinance amending Title 7 (Cemeteries) to add Chapter 3, 'Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts.' It would establish procedures for protection, consultation, identification, treatment, and reinterment of human remains and cultural materials connected to racial violence or historically marginalized Black communities; require descendant-centered consultation; cover City projects and City-regulated development; and create a review panel. - Christy Williams and other members of the Beyond Apology Commission policy committee presented. They cited the 2008 discovery of skeletal remains during ballpark construction with no known follow-up, and later Greenwood-area development finds during Langston University Tulsa and BMX projects that were not properly preserved. Presenters said more than 5,000 artifacts from one project were put in boxes and bags and later misplaced, and that about 1,200 artifacts were lost or not in displayable condition. Councilor Hall-Harper noted the mayor recently transferred recovered artifacts to the planned museum project. Williams said some artifacts had to be sent to Norman, Oklahoma because no Tulsa facility could house them, and that culturally appropriate reinterment processes were needed. She pointed to the first mass grave reinterment using a kilt and bagpipes as not consistent with Black descendant traditions. - The proposed review panel was described as descendant-centered, including people with expertise in Black communities and not just one decision-maker. City Legal said the city cannot reclassify a state felony as a misdemeanor and that the draft ordinance defers to state, federal, or tribal law in 13 places. - The state archaeologist explained state antiquities law, burial-law requirements, law-enforcement notification, medical examiner coordination, and pre-development archaeological surveys. Dr. Stubblefield, a forensic anthropologist, raised concerns that the draft's stop-work language could interrupt the city's ongoing mass grave investigation in Oaklawn Cemetery, including DNA analysis and genealogical identification work, because each burial pit encountered could trigger a stop. She asked for an exception or separate track for intentional city investigations. She also explained state reinterment law and why remains are being returned to their original places in Oaklawn. - Councilors and staff suggested revisions: clarify the geographic scope and possibly map at-risk areas; treat intentional city investigations differently from inadvertent discoveries; use 'shall' instead of 'should' for descendant-community representation on the panel; require a written explanation when the city departs from documented descendant consensus; and strengthen pre-review of documented risk sites. Williams said the ordinance was still a working draft and amendments could be made. Hall-Harper said it would not be acted on that night; it would be revised and brought back for committee action the following week. Travel Authorization - Item 9 authorized an estimated $1,200 in travel expenses for Councilor Hall-Harper to attend the FirstRepair National Symposium in Evanston, Illinois, December 2-4, 2026, including registration, hotel, transportation, and per diem. Hall-Harper said the conference covered national best practices in reparations work. The committee adjourned after this item. Key Outcomes - Appointments for Marcia Bruno-Todd, Eva Pena, and the Blackwood commission recommendation were set for City Council votes on October 28 at 5 p.m. - The $21,923.23 settlement payment resolution, the two TIF district ordinances, and the travel authorization were presented and discussed; no committee vote on these items is reflected in the transcript. - The human remains and cultural artifacts ordinance was not approved. Councilor Hall-Harper said amendments would be drafted and the ordinance would return for committee consideration the following week.

Note: The official meeting minutes date this meeting as Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The metadata provided specifies the meeting occurred on October 21, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date. The CHESS Committee of the Stamford Board of Representatives met to consider two items: a major overhaul of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund ordinance (CHESS32.024) and a funding allocation for Southwood Square Apartments (CHESS32.025). After a public hearing lasting over an hour and extensive committee debate involving multiple amendments, the committee approved the ordinance overhaul by a vote of 7-1-0. The committee also failed to reject a $1.5 million allocation to Southfield Village Limited Partnership by a vote of 0-8-0, allowing the funding to proceed by default. Public Comments & Testimony - A central and repeatedly emphasized concern was the necessity of maintaining direct representation on the Trust Fund Board for individuals who currently reside in affordable housing. Speakers argued removing the two guaranteed tenant seats would disenfranchise residents. - Additional concerns included reducing the total number of trustees, preserving transparency and Board of Representatives oversight over expenditures, and raising the expenditure-review threshold from $100,000 to $1 million. - Housing affordability, rising rents, poor maintenance conditions, resident displacement, and potential conflicts of interest involving developers or housing management interests were also raised. Discussion Items - Trust Fund Board Makeup & Quorum: Emily Gordon, Director of Housing and Community Development, explained that the current board has five ex-officio members and two vacant affordable housing tenant seats, creating a quorum problem. The proposed change would create five full members and three alternates, lowering the quorum to a simple majority of three. She stated this brings the board in line with other city boards and opens public seats to a wider range of residents. - Trust Fund Performance: Rep. Hughes noted the fund had only produced 11 new units of deeply affordable housing (11 rooms at 360 Pacific Street) in five years, calling for reforms to better scale production. Rep. Price countered that the fund has also redeveloped 61 units at Oak Park, upgraded 72 senior units at Pilgrim Tower, and committed $8.5 million to 10 other projects. - Expenditure Review Threshold: The proposed increase from $100,000 to $1,000,000 was a major point of debate. Emily Gordon stated that 86% of trust fund commitments have exceeded the $100,000 threshold, making Board of Representatives review a routine step rather than a check on the largest allocations. Raising the threshold to $1 million was intended to make the review an exception. Reps. Walston and Camporeale expressed concern the $1 million threshold was too high, with Rep. Camporeale noting Greenwich uses a $500,000 threshold and advocating for a compromise. Rep. Goldberg supported the $1 million figure, characterizing it as appropriate for a risk-management framework. - Professional Expertise on the Board: An initial motion to remove language explicitly prioritizing applicants with “professional experience developing or managing housing projects” was amended by Rep. Gross. The final amendment replaced this language with “professional experience in affordable housing public policy or the financing of housing projects,” aiming to retain valuable technical expertise without explicitly prioritizing developers. Reps. Goldberg and Price strongly supported retaining some form of professional expertise requirement to evaluate complex financing structures. - Item 2: Southfield Village Allocation: Rep. McKeown explained the procedural deadlines for rejecting the $1.5 million allocation to Southfield Village Limited Partnership. The Committee reviewed the project scope, including rehabbing 315 mixed-income units (233 affordable), kitchen/bathroom renovations, energy improvements, and temporary relocation plans. Key Outcomes - Ordinance CHESS32.024 Approved as Amended: - The committee approved a final motion to insert a clause guaranteeing at least one voting member and one alternate member of the Trust Board be residents currently living in affordable housing. (Vote: 7-1-0). - The committee approved replacing the developer/management professional experience clause with language prioritizing experience in “affordable housing public policy or the financing of housing projects”. (Vote: 7-0-1). - The committee approved a technical amendment to correct cross-references in the ordinance text regarding the Affordable Housing Plan. (Vote: 8-0-0). - The overall ordinance, as amended, was approved for final adoption by the full Board of Representatives. (Vote: 7-1-0; Rep. Walston opposed). - Allocation CHESS32.025 Not Rejected: - A motion to reject the $1.5 million allocation to Southfield Village Limited Partnership for the rehabilitation of 315 units at Southwood Square Apartments failed. (Vote: 0-8-0). The motion failed, therefore the allocation is deemed approved and will proceed without further Board of Representatives action.

The Louisville Metro Government Appropriations Committee met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers and via video teleconference. Chair Jonathan "JJ" Joseph (R-12) presided. The committee considered and approved all 17 agenda items—capital infrastructure fund (CIF) appropriations, neighborhood development fund (NDF) appropriations, and ordinances—within a 22-minute session (adjourned at 3:23 PM). Committee members present included Vice Chair Marilyn Parker (R-18), Barbara Shanklin (D-2), JP Lyninger (D-6), and Dan Seum Jr. (R-13). Ken Herndon (D-4) and Markus Winkler (D-17) were excused. Non-committee members Tammy Hawkins (D-1) and Paula McCraney (I-7) also participated. Discussion Items - CIF for Honorary Street Signs (Items 1, 8, 15): Three small appropriations ($188 each for District 1 and District 4, and $376 for District 21) funded honorary street signs for Rose Smith and Walter Smith (Greenwood Avenue), Kimberly Asa and Lou Fedon (West Amherst Avenue and South 3rd Street), and Harry Johnson Jr. (26th Street and Broadway). Approved by voice vote. - CIF for Sidewalk Repairs (Item 2): $58,522 from District 5 capital infrastructure funds to repair sidewalks at five locations in District 5. Carmen Washington, District 5 Legislative Assistant, explained this is part of the district's sidewalk blitz. Approved by voice vote. - CIF for Speed Hump Installation (Item 3, Amended): Originally $56,400 for 11 speed humps on Alford Avenue, West Main Street, and South 44th Street. Washington noted a math error; the amount was amended by adding $800 (new total $57,200) to match actual cost estimates. The amendment and the amended CIF were both approved by voice vote. - Ordinance for Wreaths Across America (Item 4, O-299-26): $10,000 from District 7 NDF to SAR Foundation for wreaths at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Council Member McCraney spoke, noting the total need is $20,000 and other districts are expected to contribute. The ordinance was recommended for approval (5-0 roll call) and sent to Old Business. - Ordinance for Junior Achievement Curriculum (Item 5, O-290-26): $7,250 from four districts (9, 24, 14, 15) to Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana for curriculum materials. Jasmine Presley (District 9 staff) and Jillian Cantu (Junior Achievement) spoke, highlighting the organization's service to 57,000 students. Approved 5-0 and sent to Old Business. - CIF for Speed Humps on Williams Street (Item 6): $9,096 from District 9 CIF for two speed humps and signs on Williams Street. Presley noted speeding concerns. Approved by voice vote. - Council-Originated NDF for Par Tee Golf Scramble (Item 7): $3,500 from four districts to I Would Rather Be Reading Corporation for sponsorship of a fundraising golf scramble. Approved by voice vote (no speaker). - CIF for Speed Humps on Glenmary Farm Drive (Item 9): $15,032 from District 22 CIF for nine speed humps and signs; Glenmary Homeowners Association covers half the $30,064 total. Jon Bingham (District 22 staff) spoke. Approved by voice vote. - NDF for Highview Fall Festival Picnic Tables (Item 10): $150 from District 23 NDF to Louisville Parks and Recreation for picnic tables. Approved by voice vote. - NDF for Halloween in Highview Park Golf Carts (Item 11): $497.20 ($246.60 each from Districts 23 and 24) to LMPD 7th Division for golf cart rentals. Approved by voice vote. - CIF for Sidewalk Extension to Seneca High School (Item 12): $65,000 from District 26 CIF to extend a sidewalk on Goldsmith Lane (3500-3510) to complete connection to Seneca High School. Charles Weathers (District 26 staff) spoke of pedestrian safety. Approved. - CIF for Speed Tables on Goldsmith Lane (Item 13): $30,000 from District 26 CIF for speed tables, signage, LED crossing signs, and sidewalk consolidation at Goldsmith Lane and Meadow Drive to address speeding. Weathers noted this is the first use of speed tables in a CIF due to road restrictions. Approved. - CIF for Historic Stone Column Repair (Item 14): $4,800 from District 26 CIF to repair two historic stone columns at Bardstown Road and Bashford Manor Lane in the public right-of-way. Approved by voice vote. - Ordinance for Forest Fest 2027 (Item 16, O-296-26): $18,250 from four districts (13, 14, 24, 15) to Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation for the annual Forest Fest (May 15, 2027). Council Member Seum spoke, stating the full ask is $35,000. Approved 5-0 and sent to Old Business. - CIF for Safety Island and Stop Sign on Moser Road (Item 17): $3,500 from District 18 CIF for a safety island and stop sign at Moser Road and Watterson Trail. Vice Chair Parker explained the stop sign had been repeatedly knocked down; safety improvements aim to prevent head-on collisions. Approved. Key Outcomes - All items passed without opposition. - Amendment: CIF102126PW05b (Item 3) was amended to increase funding from $56,400 to $57,200 to correct a cost estimate error. - Ordinances recommended for approval (sent to Old Business): O-299-26, O-290-26, and O-296-26 each received a 5-0 roll call vote (with Herndon and Winkler excused). - Next steps: All approved items will be considered by the full Metro Council on October 29, 2026.

The Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation, and Technology, chaired by Chair Cordero, convened on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 9:02 AM. Members present included Vice Chair Okimoto, Councilmembers Susantis TAM, Topola, and Council Chair Waters. Councilmember Wire was excused at the start but later joined. The committee considered four action items and received two informational briefings. Resolution 26-226: Subsurface Easements for Subsea Fiber Optic Cables (Humu Humu Services) Jim Amato of Humu Humu Services and Chris of BHC presented a proposal for non-exclusive subsurface easements to connect long-haul subsea fiber optic cables to a new telecom facility at the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus. The project aims to expand broadband capacity and improve internet redundancy in the Pacific. The community benefits package includes an in-kind beautification of Barbers Point Beach Park (trees, irrigation, fencing) valued at an estimated $700,000. Council Vice Chair Tipola, whose district includes the project area, raised several concerns. She noted that the $700,000 community benefit is an in-kind donation, not a cash contribution, and questioned the long-term maintenance of the park improvements by DPR. She strongly emphasized the severe traffic congestion on Kalailoa Boulevard, particularly at the Kapolei Commons intersection, and requested detailed construction notification flyers for businesses in the Campbell Industrial Park. Jim Amato committed to providing advance notification and working with the city on traffic mitigation, including potential off-peak and night work. Paula Youngling of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services confirmed the $2,950,310 easement fee will go directly to the city's general fund. Council Chair Waters suggested the possibility of appropriating these funds for specific needs, such as the Kapolei Police Station. Councilmember Okimoto inquired about the project timeline, noting it was "down to the wire" for end-of-year construction. Amato confirmed the permitting process is ongoing, with the building permit for the telecom facility being the main outstanding item. Councilmember Wire expressed strong support for the project, highlighting its benefits for digital resilience and redundancy in the Pacific. Key Outcome: Resolution 26-226 was reported out for adoption by the full council. The vote was unanimous. Resolution 26-235: Appointment of Anthony J. Baldomero Jr. to the HART Board Anthony J. Baldomero Jr., a 33-year veteran of the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission, introduced himself as the council's appointee to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Board of Directors. He emphasized his experience with government transparency, budgets, and the legislative process. Baldomero stated his initial priority is finishing the funded Kakaako segment of the rail project and adhering to the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). He acknowledged that any extensions would require additional funding sources authorized by the legislature. Council Vice Chair Tipola expressed support for Baldomero, appreciating his meticulous background. She advocated for the needs of her West Oahu district, specifically requesting consideration for a parking lot at the UH West Oahu rail station on the correct side of the street and improvements to the Kroc Center station. Key Outcome: Resolution 26-235 was reported out for adoption. Baldomero stated he would meet with all council members prior to the formal appointment vote scheduled for November 5. Resolution 26-20: DTS Agency Safety Plan for Rail Operations Director Roger Morton of the Department of Transportation Services presented the annual Agency Safety Plan required by federal transit law, covering the Skyline rail system. Director Morton detailed safety improvements made since the system began operation, including re-engineering fair gates to prevent trapping children and closing small gaps on station platforms. He reported very few federally reportable incidents over the system's three-year history. Regarding elevator and escalator outages, Morton stated they are running at over 99% availability. Deputy Director Hong Lin provided an update on the Pearl Highlands pedestrian bridge project, a top priority for DTS. Lin stated a $20 million federal grant has been secured, an engineering support contract was signed in September 2026, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2030. Key Outcome: Resolution 26-20 was reported out for adoption. Bill 58 (2026): Shared Micromobility Vehicle Parking (Waikiki Exemption) Major Paul Okamoto of the Honolulu Police Department testified in support of a bill to amend shared micromobility vehicle parking regulations. He cited an unlicensed scooter operator in Waikiki whose vehicles are frequently left haphazardly on sidewalks and roadways, creating trip hazards. Currently, under Section 15-31.8, the city must notify the operator and wait four hours before removing improperly parked vehicles. The bill seeks an exemption for the Waikiki Special District, allowing for immediate removal of shared micromobility vehicles from public property. Major Okamoto noted that a cease-and-desist letter had been sent by DTS, but the operator continues to operate and has retained legal counsel. Council Chair Waters, the bill's introducer, supported it as a preventative measure against trip hazards and lawsuits. Key Outcome: Bill 58 was reported out for second reading and scheduling of a public hearing. Informational Briefing: AI-Driven Mainframe Modernization (Department of Information Technology) Director Ryan McKee provided an update on the city's effort to modernize its DMV mainframe system, which still relies on COBOL programs and green-screen terminals. McKee outlined three modernization paths explored by the department: 1. Commercial Off-the-Shelf (FAST): Estimated cost of $80M+ (California paid $500M), with a long implementation timeline. 2. Code Share with Arizona DOT: A modern system available for $16M but requiring 2-3 years to implement. 3. AI-Driven Transformation: A new proof-of-concept successfully converted 15 COBOL programs into a modern Azure cloud stack. This option is estimated at $2.3 million and could be fully operational in 6-12 months. McKee stated he has chosen to proceed with the AI-driven path, which is funded within his current budget. Upon completion, the city will own the code and save $3 million annually in mainframe rental costs. The new system includes built-in AI assistance for customer service representatives. The mainframe will be kept in an archival state for 1-2 years as a backup during the transition. Council Vice Chair Tipola and Councilmember Okimoto questioned the staffing transition (2 COBOL developers to 20 modern staff) and data backup plans. McKee clarified the 20 staff members are reallocated from the existing applications team and that the database migration to MongoDB is already underway. Key Outcome: This was an informational briefing; no action was taken. The department will proceed with the AI migration starting next month. Informational Briefing: Q4 2026 Public Works Projects (Department of Design and Construction) Deputy Director Mark Yonamine of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) presented a list of upcoming public works projects scheduled to bid before the end of 2026. Highlights included the Capilani Boulevard paving project, replacement of the fire alarm system at the traffic management center, and the Mahly Community Park irrigation system improvements. Council Vice Chair Tipola discussed the challenges of community engagement and traffic mitigation for projects on busy corridors. She asked about notification procedures for shifting construction schedules. Yonamine stated that DDC works with contractors and DTS on traffic control plans and will coordinate with council members to inform the public of significant changes. Key Outcome: This was an informational briefing. Chair Cordero announced this will be a recurring first-quarter briefing to allow the committee to review upcoming construction projects.

The Anchorage Health and Homelessness Committee convened on October 21, 2026, at 11:02 AM to receive a six-month progress report on the Willow Commons transitional housing project, an update on shelter surge capacity, a legal update on civil abatement litigation, an update on the new housing voucher program, and to discuss the committee's purpose statement. Public testimony was heard from community members and advocates. Public Comments & Testimony - Colette Thibodeau (Russian Jack resident): Expressed support for sanctioned encampments and opposition to forced removals, stating that the homeless population in her neighborhood "are not going." She described the diverse faces of homelessness, including college students, veterans, and trafficking victims, and urged the committee to reconsider a sanctioned camping model. - Jamie (formerly homeless): Criticized the low service acceptance rate (approximately 7-8%) of police outreach, arguing the city is "driving people like cattle and they're not getting help." He stated Willow Commons is not accessible to those on the street without going through recovery programs. He detailed a specific failure (Black Angus motel) where stranded individuals were given substandard conditions, calling it "trauma-induced" rather than trauma-informed. He asserted "there is no money to keep people alive." Discussion Items - Willow Commons 6-Month Progress Report (Kimberly Rash & Thea Agnew Bemben): The project was funded with $1.2 million in opioid settlement funds for construction and $500,000 for startup services via Anchorage Recovery Center (ARC). The 32 units were built in 120 days. As of October 13, 2026, 58 individuals had been served, with 27 planned treatment completions and 8 transfers. 400 treatment sessions were delivered. There were 15 incident reports from March to October (medical, substance use, bears). The startup funds were fully spent by July. The operating model relies on billing for clinical services, as no additional municipal funds are currently provided. - Thea Agnew Bemben (Mayor's Office): Emphasized the project is a treatment-based model and strongly opposed a "sanctioned camping" model where "anyone can be there and do whatever they want," referencing the failed experiment at Centennial Park. She stated that operating such a facility safely is neither easy nor cheap. - Cost Discussion: Member Baldwin Day requested detailed costs of the housing intervention versus shelter or sanctioned camping. Thea Bemben provided some utility costs ($4,611/month) and stated the ongoing costs are covered by treatment billing. - Legal Update (Joe Biusa, Deputy Municipal Attorney): The four cases challenging the constitutionality of Anchorage's civil abatement code have all been concluded at the trial court level in the city's favor, with judges upholding the code against claims involving the 4th Amendment, due process, and state law. All cases are now on appeal to the State Supreme Court. No stays have been issued preventing enforcement of abatement during the appeal. - Shelter Surge Capacity Update (Kimberly Rash & Kathleen McLaughlin): Currently there are 400 beds (150 East 56th, 150 Linda's Place, 100 Alex Hotel). East 56th will surge to 200 beds by November 30th. Targeted placement efforts resulted in 11 of 15 individuals from the Safety Center remaining in shelter. Officials noted a gap in engaging hard-to-reach populations in downtown Anchorage. - Housing Voucher Program Update (Frankie Dahl & Darcy Montavo): A new partnership with AHFC to provide up to 40 housing vouchers for people ready to exit homelessness was presented. Funding includes $531,380 from HOME funds and AHFC matching. The program has faced delays due to HUD waiver approvals and software implementation (Neighborly). Implementation is expected in stages, with applications anticipated to open in January 2027. Member Baldwin Day raised concerns about the definition and capacity of case management and the potential for clients to get lost in the multi-step process. - Committee Purpose Statement Discussion: The committee discussed the draft mission statement for the newly renamed Health and Homelessness Committee. Member Dean Gates suggested the current language reads primarily as a homelessness committee, and proposed separating "Health" and "Homelessness" into two distinct topics to give them equal weight. Members agreed to continue workshopping the statement via email through the clerk. Key Outcomes - Willow Commons has established its six-month benchmark data; Director Rash committed to returning in one year with a full progress update. - The administration provided reassurance that no judicial decrees are currently preventing the city from using its civil abatement code. - The Housing Voucher Program contract is expected to be presented to the Assembly for approval soon, with a target application launch in January 2027. - The committee agreed to finalize its purpose statement through an email chain managed by the clerk, following concerns raised by committee members about the scope of the mission.