The Public Meeting Index

The regular city council meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM on October 19, 2026, with all council members present. The meeting included community updates from Sage Community Arts, a fiscal year 26 fourth-quarter budget review, public comments, a public hearing on a rezoning request, and a resolution for a stop sign installation. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 PM. Consent Calendar - The agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. - The consent agenda (minutes of October 5, 2026, and claims) was approved with one recusal: Mayor Bridger recused himself from item 129 due to a conflict of interest. Public Comments & Testimony - Thomas Jones spoke about the proposed four-way stop at North Scott Street and East Brundage Street. He opposed the current plan, arguing it would increase traffic on Sheridan Avenue, and instead urged the council to prioritize a four-way stop at Sheridan Avenue and Brundage Street near the M-M Center, citing blind spots and heavy traffic from west-side development and high school students. The mayor noted staff would review the suggestion. - Gene Hale, Emergency Manager for the Veterans Administration, read a thank-you letter expressing gratitude for the city's rapid response to a water line break at the VA facility on the previous Friday. He praised the professionalism and collaboration of the city utilities department. Discussion Items - Community Update: Sage Community Arts – Executive Director Jill Benson presented highlights of the organization's year, funded in part by GPEP grants. Key statistics included: 11 art camps with 156 youth campers, 15 community classes with over 120 participants, $19,000 in art sales with 65% returned to artists, and a traveling exhibition opening in Casper and Texas. She emphasized that all exhibitions and programming remain free to the public. Council members thanked her and expressed hope that GPEP funding would continue in November. - Staff Update: Fiscal Year 26 Fourth Quarter Budget Review – City Treasurer Darla Hawkins presented the final quarterly review for FY26. Revenue in the general fund exceeded budgeted amounts. Enterprise fund revenues were artificially deflated due to loan revenue budgeting in FY26 (to be corrected in FY27). Expenditures were mostly within budget (80–94% for governmental funds), though enterprise funds had some categories over budget. Fleet purchases faced challenges with price increases and lead times; two items (wildland skid unit and loader) were deferred to FY27. Hawkins noted that all departments remained within budget as required by state statute. She also announced that future budget reviews will be consolidated into two semi-annual presentations. Council members praised the transparency and work of the treasurer. - Public Hearing: Rezone PL-26-39 (Ordinance 2307-26) – City Planner Kelly Schroeder presented a request to rezone 26.3 acres at 4250 Yellowtail Drive from Higher Education and R3 Residential to B2 Business District. The applicant intends to build a church on the property. The B2 district allows a wide range of uses but excludes heavy industrial uses. The property is currently vacant and split-zoned due to past annexation and subdivision. Adjacent uses include light industrial (gateway district), Sheridan College Agri-Park, and vacant land. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval. No public comments were received. Council discussion included concerns about removing the property from the tax rolls if owned by a church (Councilmember Brantz opposed for this reason) and whether the rezoning constituted spot zoning. Staff argued B2 was the most appropriate district given the light industrial context. The motion to approve the first reading passed 6–1, with Councilmember Brantz voting no. - New Business: Resolution 2126 – Stop Sign at North Scott and East Brundage – City Engineer Thomas Marnot presented the resolution to install all-way stop control at the intersection. The crash warrant was met, with seven reported crashes between 2024 and 2026 (six over three years is the threshold). The intersection had previously been temporarily converted to a four-way stop during downtown construction, receiving positive feedback. Staff recommended permanent installation. The resolution was approved unanimously by voice vote. Key Outcomes - Public Hearing – Rezone (Ordinance 2307-26): Approved on first reading by a vote of 6–1 (Councilmember Brantz opposed). The ordinance will require two more readings. - Resolution 2126 – Stop Sign Installation: Approved unanimously. The Public Works Director is authorized to proceed with installation of all-way stop signs at North Scott Street and East Brundage Street. - Consent Agenda: Approved with one recusal (Mayor Bridger on item 129). - Future Action: The council noted that the Sheridan Area Water System joint city-county meeting on November 18 at 9 AM will take testimony on revisions to operating and ownership agreements. The Christmas stroll button design winner will be announced the following day. Staff will evaluate the suggestion of a no-left-turn restriction at Park Street during the Work Street bridge replacement project.

The Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission convened on October 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing on the expansion of Murphy's Bar, and a conditional use permit for Discovery Baton Rouge School. Several items were approved, one was deferred, and one zoning case was continued to a future meeting. Consent Calendar - Approved Items (Items 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12): Routine rezoning and development plan approvals, all certified consistent with the comprehensive plan and unified development code. These were approved by a single vote with no objections. - Item 11 (CUP 726 – Discovery Baton Rouge Phase 3): Pulled from the consent agenda at the request of a member of the public and heard as a regular agenda item. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 4 – Murphy's Bar Expansion: Multiple speakers opposed the rezoning. Hannah Ordea, Quayne Douglas, Joshua, Attorney Hillary Robinson (representing Lotus), Presto Perez, Landon Smith, Terrence Cospin, Nanette Cospin, Angel Holoman, and Jeremy Shavis testified about excessive noise, trash, public intoxication, underage drinking, safety issues, and allegations of racial discrimination. The applicant, Ty Hingle, rebutted, stating Murphy's has a clean record with law enforcement and that he has invested in sound mitigation, security, and a good neighbor agreement with the adjacent property owner. - Item 11 – Discovery Baton Rouge School: Three neighbors (Bruce Ray, Kimmy Copso, Maurice Velasquez) spoke about traffic congestion, driveway blocking, drainage concerns, and requested a community meeting. The applicant, Alfredo Portillo, noted the site previously housed Runnels School (800 students) and that a traffic study and drainage mitigation plan are underway. Discussion Items Items 2 & 3 – PA 826 and Zoning Case 3626 (1850 Carolyn Sioux Drive) The applicant, Mark Gauther (representing Venice Carwash), requested a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning to Heavy Commercial (HC1) for a property adjacent to their existing headquarters. Staff recommended approval. No opposition. The commission approved the item unanimously. Item 4 – Zoning Case 3426 (Murphy's Bar, 268 & 254 West Chime Street) The applicant requested rezoning from Heavy Commercial (C2) and CAB2 to CAB2 to expand the bar. Ty Hingle described safety measures, noise controls, and a planned outdoor pavilion. Opponents described ongoing nuisances, including loud music until 2–3 a.m., trash, underage drinking, and a pattern of racial discrimination. Commissioners questioned the applicant about security, noise, and comparisons to a prior Lotus rezoning denial. The commission voted to approve the rezoning (motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Fowler). Item 5 – Zoning Case 3826 (8401 Greenwell Springs Road) The applicant did not appear. Councilman Hearst expressed opposition to any CAB2 in District 5. The commission deferred the item for 30 days (to November 16, 2026) on a motion by Commissioner Batts, seconded by Commissioner Fowler. Item 11 – CUP 726 (Discovery Baton Rouge Phase 3, 1725 South Harrells Ferry Road) The applicant proposed a 20,861 sq ft classroom building. Neighbors raised traffic and drainage concerns. The applicant noted that the site previously operated with 800 students and that a traffic study and floodplain mitigation plan are being developed. The commission deferred the item for 30 days (to November 16, 2026) to allow a community meeting and further review, with a motion by Commissioner Batts and second by Commissioner Coleman. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Approved without objection (all items except 11). - Items 2 & 3 (Carolyn Sioux Drive): Approved unanimously. - Item 4 (Murphy's Bar): Approved (motion by Coleman, second by Fowler; no opposition recorded). - Item 5 (Greenwell Springs Road): Deferred for 30 days (to November 16, 2026). - Item 11 (Discovery Baton Rouge): Deferred for 30 days (to November 16, 2026) with a requirement for a community meeting. - Next Meeting: Scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026. The planning office will be closed on November 11, 2026 for Veterans Day.

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as October 14, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is October 18, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 4:32 p.m. and adjourned at 5:56 p.m., lasting approximately 1 hour 24 minutes. The commission heard a comprehensive sustainability data update and discussed the process for updating community-led tactics in the Sustainability and Resiliency Community Work Plan (SRCWP). Consent Calendar - September Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously by 8 ayes, with Stewart Rassier absent. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public wished to speak during the open comment period. Discussion Items - 2026 Sustainability Data Update (Item 5.A): Staff presented an overview of existing sustainability dashboards and data sources. Key highlights included: - SRCWP: 83% of tactics completed, 18 not yet started, none on hold. The public-facing website is expected by end of 2026. - B3 Benchmarking (City Buildings): Energy use decreased 5.7% from baseline (2018) in 2025, with 11.9 million KBTU less used than 2024. Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions fell 20.2% from baseline (reduction of 4,659 metric tons). Staff noted square footage of city facilities has increased and are investigating the disparity between energy and emissions reductions. - Green Star Cities: The city significantly reduced natural gas consumption, expanded EV fleet (from 8 to 15 EVs), tripled trees planted in 2025 vs. 2024, and increased renewable energy generation capacity by about 7% community-wide. - Regional Indicators: Community-wide emissions show a downward trend since 2007 (baseline). 2025 data update expected by end of November, with a presentation to the commission early 2027. - Energy Integration Committee (EIC): Updated action plan for 2026 focusing on decarbonization, renewable energy, resilience, thermal energy networks, and transportation. The plan is a guiding framework, not adopted by governing boards. - City Council Action Plan: Responsible environmental stewardship priorities include fleet electrification, building efficiency, tree canopy, waste/recycling, and exploring a natural gas franchise fee. Staff report quarterly on municipal and community emissions. - Commission members discussed baseline year alignment, fleet tracking improvements (devices to be installed in 25% of vehicles by end of 2026), and the need to promote successes like solar projects (100% funded by state and federal grants) to council and public. - SRCWP Community-Led Tactics Reporting Process (Item 5.B): The commission reviewed a proposed process to update the 48 community-led tactics (reduced from 103) in the SRCWP. The chair demonstrated how to use a shared spreadsheet, including adding stories and qualitative data from local organizations. Four volunteer leads were identified for each of four groups of 12 tactics. Members also discussed using AI for initial research and the importance of highlighting community efforts. The due date for updates is Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in advance of the November 12 meeting. Key Outcomes - September minutes approved (unanimous). - No action taken on the 2026 Sustainability Data Update (informational). - Community-led tactics volunteers: Seth Behrends, Casey McQuade, Ruby Truong, and others volunteered to lead updates. Amy Caucutt will assist with contacting organizations. The chair will also contribute to multiple tactics. - Staff updates included: next meeting (November 12) will focus on native pollinators with Parks and Forestry; solar projects at 16 city facilities are underway with 100% funding; Garden Grants available through December 31; Arbor Day (April 30, 2027) and Earthfest (May 1, 2027) dates set; and a smart salting webinar on November 9. - Commission comment: Brian Morgan proposed inviting Leadership Greater Rochester groups to present their community impact projects at the November or December meeting. The chair agreed to follow up and consider agenda time. - Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.

A public hearing of the Alexandria City Council was held on 2026-10-17, beginning at 9:30 AM and adjourning at 2:26 PM. The agenda included proclamations, a public comment period, action on consent items, and individual hearings on a zoning text amendment, a street vacation, a development special use permit, and an address renumbering appeal. Proclamations - City Council endorsed proclamations recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Public Comments & Testimony - Public Discussion Period: Several speakers, primarily youth members of Tenants and Workers United and other residents, opposed the city's use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). They raised concerns about privacy, racial bias, lack of transparency, and fear in immigrant communities, and requested the immediate removal of the cameras. One speaker from the Environmental Policy Commission presented their legislative priorities. - Item 10 (Substandard Lots Zoning Amendment): Phoebe Coy (YIMBYs of NOVA) expressed support for the amendment, urging the council to further tackle minimum lot sizes. - Item 11 (Ramsey Street Vacation): The applicant's attorney spoke in favor of the partial street vacation. - Item 12 (North Patrick Street Townhouses): A representative for the seller stated the family had owned the property since the 1950s and the retail business was no longer financially viable. The developer stated he relied on city housing policy in designing the project. YIMBYs of NOVA spoke in support. - Item 13 (3600 Russell Road Address Appeal): - Appellants Susan and Michael Hughes: Argued the 3600 address was a cherished family legacy and functioned perfectly for mail and emergency services. - Requester Darren Tillinghast: Detailed persistent misdeliveries (10-20% of packages), e-commerce platform failures, and provided a USPS letter recommending a whole number address. - Public Testimony: Speakers were divided. Some criticized the process as non-transparent, while others described personal experiences with half addresses. Concerns about elder intimidation were raised regarding the appellants. Discussion Items - Item 10: Substandard Lots Zoning Text Amendment (MPA & ZTA): Staff presented a proposal to allow by-right development on substandard lots meeting 90% of zoning requirements or a block face similarity test, eliminating the need for a Special Use Permit. An estimated 1,900 of the city's 2,900 substandard lots would qualify. Council members debated the tension between streamlining approvals and preserving community engagement. The amendment was approved. - Item 12: Development Special Use Permit for Townhouses at 724-728 N. Patrick Street: The council debated the loss of commercial space versus the creation of new housing. A 20-minute recess was taken to negotiate the public accessibility of the project's open space. The applicant agreed to an amendment (Condition 12-A) to shift a transformer to create a public access easement and seating area along Madison Street. The approval passed 4-3. - Item 13: Address Renumbering Appeal for 3600 and 3600 ½ Russell Road: The council held extensive debate over three separate motions. The first motion to affirm staff's recommendation to renumber the properties failed 4-3. A compromise motion to renumber the addresses as 3600A and 3600B also failed. A final motion to reaffirm the existing addresses passed 4-3, effectively granting the appeal and leaving the addresses unchanged. Key Outcomes - Approved on Consent: Special Use Permits for a lot without frontage and a two-unit dwelling, and a night illumination ordinance amendment. - Approved (Separate Vote): Development Special Use Permit for St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School athletic facilities (7-0). - Approved: Master Plan and Zoning Text Amendment for substandard lot development. - Approved: Vacation of a portion of Ramsey Street; viewers appointed. - Approved (4-3): Development Special Use Permit for townhouses at 724-728 N. Patrick Street with added Condition 12-A for public open space. - Appeal Upheld (4-3): The addresses at 3600 and 3600 ½ Russell Road will remain unchanged.

Introductory paragraph: The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on October 16, 2026, at the Blacksburg Motor Company. The agenda included an FY25 audit presentation, review of public hearings scheduled for October 27 and November 10, 2026, and a land development projects update. Note: The agenda lists the meeting date as October 20, 2026, while the provided date is October 16, 2026. Discussion Items - FY25 Audit Presentation: No discussion or decisions are available from the transcript, which only contains the fragment 'And I've got more.' - Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for October 27, 2026: Resolution 10-D-26 regarding an amendment to Blacksburg Town Charter Section 1.02 on corporate boundaries. No discussion recorded. - Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for November 10, 2026: Ordinance 2123 authorizing lease of space on the Alleghany Street Water Tank to Virginia Tech. No discussion recorded. - Land Development Projects Update: No discussion recorded. Key Outcomes - No votes, decisions, or directives were recorded in the available materials.

The Anchorage Assembly held a work session on October 16, 2026, from 11:05 am to approximately 4:15 pm to discuss the proposed FY 2027 budget. The meeting included an overview of the general government budget, the six-year fiscal plan, enterprise and utility budgets, and the capital budget. It was the first of two work sessions; the second is scheduled for October 23, 2026. General Government Budget Overview - OMB Director Owner Browse presented the proposed budget with total appropriations of $692.5 million, a property tax cap of $383 million, and the budget set at $34,000 under the cap. - The FY 2027 budget gap is $15 million, closed using one-time funds: $5.5 million from the MLNP sale fund principal and $3.3 million in accrued interest (last use of these funds). The projected FY 2028 gap is $15–30 million, reflecting uncertainties in labor step increases, health care costs, and state revenue. - Property taxes are proposed to increase by $11 per $100,000 of assessed value (approximately 1.2%), below the assumed 3% CPI. - Key adjustments: adding 7 heavy equipment operators for street maintenance (reducing contractual snow removal), transferring $1.9 million in Healthy Spaces positions from alcohol tax to general government via a new surcharge, and including an early literacy position in the library budget. - The six-year fiscal plan assumes 3% CPI, no new state revenue beyond $500,000 in community assistance, an Anchorage Hydropower dividend of $300,000 (baseline), and no new voter-approved O&M after FY 2027. Enterprise and Utility Budgets - Hydropower: Proposed one-time dividend of $1.9 million to general government (total appropriation $7.5 million). The baseline dividend remains $300,000 for future years. - Anchorage Water and Wastewater (AWWU): Flat operating budgets; one new FTE in customer service for a new customer information system. Capital includes significant investment in Girdwood water system (reservoir, well house, treatment). - Port of Alaska: Operating budget increase of $20 million, primarily for debt service on bonded debt. Capital includes $150,000 for Ship Creek boat launch dredging. The Port Modernization (PAMP) project is not listed as it was previously appropriated. - Merrill Field (Airports): Operating budget modestly increased. Capital includes taxiway rehab, sand storage wall repair, and planning for unleaded aviation fuel infrastructure (FAA grants anticipated). - Solid Waste Services (Disposal & Refuse): Disposal budget slightly decreased; refuse budget increased. Capital includes battery storage system relocation and central transfer station electrical improvements. A new environmental specialist position added for regulatory compliance. Capital Budget - Total proposed capital budget: $136 million, funded by $87.95 million in bonds, $21 million in state funding, $16.5 million in federal funds, and $10.6 million from other sources. - Categories: 45% roads and transportation, 23% facility improvements, 10% energy efficiency. - Library: $10 million placeholder for HVAC and energy efficiency upgrades at Loussac Library, following severe heating/cooling failures. - Parks and Recreation: $11 million bond request for projects including Kincaid Park circulation, Goose Lake Park improvements, coastal trail realignment (Point Woronzoff), and others. Discussion of Cuddy Park Chalet master plan and tension between voter-approved bond projects and new planning processes. - Fire Department: Bond request includes $380,000 for an additional ambulance and a $1.6 million annual operating levy for staffing (new service level question). Also $2.95 million for fire apparatus replacement and $1.5 million for design studies for stations 11, 12, and 16. Discussion of response times, four-person staffing, and the SAFER grant. - Traffic Engineering: $2.6 million in bonds for annual programs: signage maintenance, school zone safety, traffic calming. Funding has increased significantly; the qualified list of projects is available online. - Maintenance and Operations: $12.7 million in bonds for facility repairs, including energy efficiency upgrades and major infrastructure repairs. Emphasis on deferred maintenance backlog and need for control system upgrades. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the session was informational. - OMB director committed to providing written responses to unanswered questions. - Several assembly members indicated plans to introduce amendments to the budget and bond package, including for coastal trail state funding, Cuddy Park Chalet, and increased facility repair funding. - The next work session (October 23, 2026, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm) will cover remaining departments and operating budget details.

The City Council convened on October 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM for a closed session, followed by a study session at 5:30 PM, and a regular session at 6:30 PM. The agenda included consent calendar items and a public hearing. No transcript or minutes were provided for this meeting; therefore, the summary reflects only the agenda items as listed. Consent Calendar - Item 4.1: Test 2 – Recommendation: Test 2 - Item 4.2: Test 3 – Recommendation: Test 3 - Item 4.3: Test 4 – Recommendation: Test 4 Public Hearings - Item 6: Test PDF Linking – Attachment: Hyperlink. No additional details are available regarding discussion or public testimony. Oral Communications from the Public - No speakers or public comments are recorded in the provided materials. Other Items - The meeting proceeded through standard agenda items: call to order, pledge of allegiance, roll call, closed session report, consent calendar approval, items initiated by council, council/staff/committee reports, and adjournment. No actions, votes, or debate are documented in the available source material.

The Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) Commission met on October 16, 2026, at 6:45 PM to review the annual tourism summary, discuss the 2027 budget, and receive presentations from contracted service providers Spokane Sports (sports recruitment) and 116 & West (destination marketing). The commission ultimately approved a motion to allocate $700,000 for sports recruitment, $500,000 for destination marketing, and up to $170,000 to replenish the opportunity fund, with further adjustments to the 116 & West work plan to follow. Annual Summary & Financial Report - Terry Stripes presented tourism data for Spokane County and the 16 TPA properties: $1.55 billion in visitor spend, 10.2 million visitors, $2.44 billion in economic impact, $242 million in local and state taxes, $151 per person spending, and over 17,000 tourism-supported jobs. - Hotel performance metrics (occupancy, average daily rate, revenue) were reviewed for the past year. - TPA revenues are tracking 7% year-to-date over last year (up from 3.7% in June). - The 2027 budget was presented: total available revenue approximately $1.3 million (later adjusted to $1.4 million to maintain a $325,000 fund balance). Key considerations included maintaining 25% reserves, $30,000 for Placer AI data (two-year contract), and a $170,000 opportunity fund. Discussion Items 2027 Budget Framework - Commissioners discussed the potential sunset of the additional $2 TPA tax (currently $4 per room night) in June 2027, which could cut funding in half. Options included a legislative fix or increasing the TPA to $5 per room night. - The commission agreed to adjust the total budget to $1.4 million, keeping the fund balance above $325,000. Spokane Sports Presentation (Ashley Blake) - Spokane Sports requested $700,000 (flat commitment) for 2027 to deliver nine committed events at the cross-country venue in Spokane Valley, projecting 6,925 hotel room nights. - Key costs: $420,000 in direct event commitments (timing, security, officials, etc.) and parking/transportation (a new challenge due to higher-than-expected attendance). The remaining $280,000 would support sustaining the calendar (pipeline building, site visits, hotel relations, third-party impact analysis). - Discussion focused on the difficulty of converting one-night event stays to multi-night stays (only 5% possible for youth/collegiate events), the need for multi-year funding stability, and potential for parking infrastructure investment through LTAC or state grants. - Commissioners expressed concern that the parking/transportation costs may be ongoing and questioned whether some expenses should be covered by other city funds. 116 & West Presentation (Callie Mendoza and Jessica Jackson) - 116 & West proposed a 2027 strategy shift from “win the booking” to “win the extra night,” requesting $1 million to fund a three-pronged campaign: Convert (maintain lower-funnel conversion), Extend (target audiences before trip length is set), and Inspire (creative assets showcasing Spokane Valley as a home base for regional exploration). - They highlighted a pilot Expedia program that generated $227,100 in net hotel revenue from a $50,000 investment (April–August 2026), attributed directly to their ads. - Discussion included concerns about sending travelers to OTAs (vs direct hotel bookings), the inability to separate attribution from hotel-owned marketing, and the value of AI/search platforms (e.g., ChatGPT) for future marketing. - Commissioners questioned the $125,000 course event targeting component given that sports events largely generate one-night stays; higher priority was placed on AI and overall booking conversion. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made; no attendees signed up for comment. Key Outcomes - Motion (made by Commissioner Stripes, seconded): Recommended that city council authorize contracts of $700,000 with Spokane Sports for 2027 sports recruitment, $500,000 with 116 & West for 2027 destination marketing, and replenishment of the 2027 opportunity fund with up to $170,000 from TPA revenues. The motion passed unanimously (all present in favor, none opposed). - Next Steps: 116 & West will revise their work plan to align with the reduced budget ($500,000) and present revised priorities to the commission. The commission emphasized priorities: retaining lower-funnel conversion and AI marketing over course event targeting. - The commission noted the possibility of increasing the TPA rate from $4 to $5 per room night, contingent on state legislative decisions on the $2 sunset, which is expected by June 2027.

The City of Fort Worth Economic Development Department and Frost Bank hosted the 15th annual Fort Worth Business Plan Competition finals on the evening of October 16, 2026, at The Modern. Eight finalist businesses delivered three-minute pitches followed by judge Q&A, competing for cash and in-kind prizes. Mayor Mattie Parker and Frost regional president Hadley Warner attended, and former competition winner Shauna Murphy served as MC. The transcript references 20 applicants and six weeks of workshops, with an internal inconsistency between top 10 and top eight; eight companies actually presented. Competition Overview - Winners were determined by the highest combined score of the written business plan and the live pitch. - Frost Bank was the presenting sponsor; Shannon Watt and Hadley Warner spoke on behalf of Frost. - Councilmember Michael Crane from District 3 was recognized; Mayor Mattie Parker arrived later in the evening. - Judges included Richard Chance, Michael Doss, Erica Hirsch, Dustin Logan, Caitlin McMinn, and Sawyer Williams. - Mentor organizations acknowledged included Accelerate Fort Worth, Ensemble Coworking, Foundations EDC, SCORE Fort Worth, Tech Fort Worth, and TEI Consulting. - Prizes were first place $10,000, second place $6,000, third place $4,000, and the audience-voted Perfect Pitch prize of $500 in credits from Printed Threads. Business Pitches - Articulate Your Value — Jeremy pitched a for-profit career readiness and workforce development firm. He said it started in 2021, shifted from a national focus to hyper-local Fort Worth work, partners with Workforce Solutions and Tarrant County College, and won a bid through C2 Global to provide staff training at Tarrant County workforce centers. He would split contest funds between rebranding and marketing and attending industry events. - DMG Notaries — Michelle Gannott pitched a notary signing service for title companies and estate planning firms. She said DMG has served in 13 states and India via remote online notarization; capturing just 1% of the 900 title offices in DFW would triple annual revenue. Funds would support technology, marketing, and industry memberships. - Iconier — Rish Sharma pitched an AI-visibility and digital marketing agency with monthly plans starting at $499. He said the team of 22 serves 81 businesses, clients rate them 4.9 stars, and Tarrant County has 47,000 small businesses. He reported that four of five clients from January were still with the company, about 80% retention. Funds would support a local ambassador and workshops, with a goal of 20 Fort Worth clients by the end of 2027. - MLK Prearrangements — Lena Killian pitched pre-need funeral planning, including burials, cremations, veterans and VA benefits, cemetery property, headstones, and away-from-home coverage. She said she works with more than 40 funeral homes and relies mainly on word of mouth. - Open Minded Counseling — Katie Stone pitched the Open Minded Wellness training division. She cited that 25% of adults deal with a mental health issue, 50% of those people do not get the care they need, and 50% of providers report burnout. She said five cohorts and 15 clinicians across Texas have been trained and that business has grown 30%. Funds are earmarked for marketing, staff, and 2027 training facilities. - Panther City Eye Care — Dr. Julie Irvin pitched an optometry practice with medical and vision exams, optical, specialty contact lenses, and diagnostic testing. She said average revenue is about $300 per patient, capture rate is 63%, and the goal is to double patient encounters in 12 months by adding capacity before adding a second practitioner. Funds would go to SEO, bilingual marketing, and community outreach. - Centrosium Wellness — The owner pitched an online telemedicine hormone-optimization practice using at-home saliva and urine testing and pharmaceutical-grade products. She said being all-online and not requiring a three-to-six-month wait for an appointment differentiates it from competitors. Funds would support sponsored events, advertisements, and speaking engagements. - West Wellness and Massage — Chantelle Gardner pitched a combined med spa and massage studio offering massages, facials, IV infusions, peptides, and medical weight loss. She said the business doubled last year’s revenue, tripled memberships, and memberships are currently 18% of revenue; the goal is 100 new members in 12 months to increase membership revenue to 60%. Funds would support advertising, partnerships, and signage. Mayor and Sponsor Remarks - Mayor Mattie Parker said Fort Worth is the 10th largest city in the country with over a million people, and that small businesses are the bedrock of the city. She thanked Frost Bank, the economic development team, the judges, and The Modern for hosting. - Frost regional president Hadley Warner congratulated all participants and announced that Frost would provide every participant who completed the business plan competition a $5,000 five-year term loan and a $200 Visa gift card. Key Outcomes - Perfect Pitch Prize: Panther City Eye Care won $500 in credits from Printed Threads. - Third Place: Open Minded Counseling won $4,000. - Second Place: A $6,000 prize was announced, but the transcript does not identify the winner’s name. - First Place: Iconier won the $10,000 grand prize. - The event closed with a promise to return for the 2027 competition.