The Public Meeting Index

The City Planning Commission convened on October 6, 2026, at 11:45 AM, acting simultaneously as the Board of Adjustment. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, three variance requests, a state-mandated open meetings law training, and a discussion of proposed ordinance amendments regarding access drives and front yard setbacks. The November 2026 meeting was rescheduled due to the election. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Moved and seconded; passed unanimously by voice vote. - Approval of Minutes (September 1, 2026): Moved and seconded; passed unanimously by voice vote. Discussion Items 6A – Front Yard Setback Variance – 1418 Pheasant Run Road (Scott and Rochelle Lamp) - Request: A 14' x 14' sunroom addition, setback 35 ft 2 in from the front property line, requiring a variance of approximately 4 ft 10 in from the required 40 ft front yard setback in an R1A district. - Staff Recommendation: Approval, noting the lot is a triple frontage lot (no backyard) and the addition is the only feasible location. The variance is the minimum to alleviate hardship. - Public Testimony: The applicant confirmed the need and answered questions; no opposition. - Board Action: Motion to approve (moved and seconded). Vote: all 7 members present (Jameson, Heinrich, Braun, Luddy, Solemn, Aiken, Schmeichel) voted

The Powell Development Committee met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers to discuss a comprehensive downtown parking update. The meeting focused on recent efforts to increase public parking availability through reclassification, partnerships, and infrastructure improvements, avoiding the need for a costly parking structure. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the September 1, 2026, Development Committee meeting. Discussion Items - Downtown Parking Update: Staff presented an update on downtown parking initiatives, highlighting progress since the April discussions. Key points included: - A peak hour survey on August 8, 2025, at 7-8 PM found nearly 200 available spaces downtown, but most were privately classified, prompting the need to balance public and private parking. - A 300-space parking structure was initially considered at an estimated cost of $16 million (plus land acquisition), but was set aside in favor of a multi-pronged approach. - Through reclassification of half of the Local Routes lot, the city added 50 public spaces (plus 4 private spaces). Combined with existing and other additions (including Adventure Park, Colbatch property, South Liberty, Faith Life Church), total public spaces increased from approximately 241 to nearly 450. - A new partnership with the Majello lot (4-year term, annual payment of $115,000 payable quarterly) will convert additional private spaces to public use. The city contributed to construction costs, improving safety sightlines, and installing blue signage for public parking. A landscape barrier separates public and private lots. - Staff highlighted complementary efforts: rapid flashing beacons on Old Tangy, path connections from the pool lot to Depot Street, online parking maps (Google Maps, Waze), and wayfinding signs. - Committee members discussed potential issues: visibility from Old Tangy (request for a "full" indicator), lighting, and the need for periodic usage tracking. Staff agreed to monitor utilization more frequently initially and consider real-time occupancy signs. - Mayor commended staff for pivoting from traffic to parking challenges, noting the significant progress in creating parking downtown and the importance of marketing available parking to remove a stigma. Key Outcomes - Staff will continue to complete the parking network, install signage, and track usage. The committee directed staff to evaluate Majello lot utilization quarterly or more frequently, and to explore adding a visible "full" indicator at the lot entrance. - The four-year agreement with Majello includes a termination clause if redevelopment opportunities arise, allowing funds to be redirected. - No formal vote was taken; the discussion was informational and directional. The committee expressed support for the current approach and encouraged further partnerships.

The Common Council of Waukesha, Wisconsin, met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM with 13 members present. The meeting addressed a police range facility contract, authorization for a small business development grant, a contested bartender license, and a closed session to discuss the sale of city-owned property on Big Bend Road. Consent Calendar - The council approved the minutes of the previous meeting (13-0). - The consent agenda was adopted unanimously (13-0). - A request from Club 400 for an extended premises permit for October 10, 2026, was approved unanimously (13-0). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public addressed the council during the initial public comment period. - Licensing Hearing – Ashley Rodriguez: The council heard testimony from applicant Ashley Rodriguez regarding her invited bartender license renewal. Ms. Rodriguez, a manager and bartender at Sunset Bowl, addressed the council to take full responsibility for a December 2024 incident leading to citations for underage drinking and false ID. She stated she has changed significantly since the incident, is pursuing college, and requires the license to continue her managerial role and help behind the bar. She expressed deep remorse and emphasized a clean work history of several years with no alcohol-related serving issues. Discussion Items - Police Range Facility Contract: The council approved a contract for the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department to use the police training facility on Sentry Drive. City Attorney Rennie explained the contract delegates responsibilities and requires insurance. Alderperson Micklitz inquired about fees, which Attorney Rennie confirmed are not detailed in the contract but kept in a separate schedule, with revenue directed to the general fund. Alderperson Vantrieste sought assurance that any future changes to contractual terms would require council approval. The council approved the specific contract and authorized its use as a template for future agencies, delegating execution authority to the Chief of Police (13-0). - WEDC Small Business Development Grant: Staff presented a resolution to apply for the maximum amount of $250,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Small Business Development Grant, requiring no local match. The funds would expand the Central City Storefront Activation Loan Program, which has issued 16 loans using ARPA funds to businesses including North Pillar Brewing, Let It Be, and Waukesha Coffee House. Staff noted the program is highly competitive, typically receiving 70 to 80 applications for only 8 to 10 awards. The council authorized the application (13-0). - Invited Bartender License – Ashley Rodriguez (Deliberation): Following public testimony, the council discussed the Ordinance and License Committee's recommendation to approve the license (4-1). Alderperson Manion, the dissenting committee vote, cited the recency and direct relevance of the violations to bartending duties. Alderperson Lemke agreed, stating the recency of the infractions overrides Ms. Rodriguez's otherwise good job performance. Alderperson Witeska argued there is little risk in granting the license given her clean employment record and the support of her agent. Alderperson Wigderson noted the incident did not occur during work. The council voted 7-6 to approve the license. Reports and Updates - City Attorney's Report: Attorney Rennie provided litigation updates, noting a petition for review had been filed with the Supreme Court in the Sols lawsuit and a motion to dismiss had been filed in the Flock camera lawsuit, requesting a stay pending a related case in the Seventh Circuit. - Waukesha Housing Authority: Alderperson Piper reported the approval of nearly $1 million in capital expenditures and a reduction in Section 8 reimbursement rates from HUD for the first time in several years. - Finance Committee: Alderperson Piper announced the upcoming FY 2027 operating budget review, with the full council review scheduled for November 5, 2026. - City Administrator's Report: Tony provided the schedule for the Finance Committee budget reviews set for the following Tuesday and Thursday. - Other Committees: Several committees reported having no meetings or reported upcoming events, including the Library Board (Waukesha Reads underway), the Cemetery Commission (Tombstone Trot fundraiser and Open House tours), and the Landmarks Commission. Key Outcomes - Approved: Police range facility contract as a template for future agencies, with the explicit understanding that any changes to contractual terms would require council approval (13-0). - Authorized: Staff application for the 2026 WEDC Small Business Development Grant (13-0). - Granted: Invited bartender license to Ashley Rodriguez (7-6). - Approved: Club 400 extended premises permit (13-0). - Closed Session: Council voted 13-0 to enter closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to discuss the sale of the city-owned property at Tax Key WAKT 1389901 on Big Bend Road. Upon reconvening, the council voted 10-3 to direct staff to pursue the offers discussed in closed session. - Referred: Multiple traffic and parking regulation requests were referred to the Traffic and Parking Regulations (TARP) Committee, including a no parking zone and crosswalk requests on behalf of District 10, a parking space request on Randall Street, and signage changes on Charles Avenue.

The St. Albans City Council met on October 6, 2026, to approve a resolution supporting the Kanawha County School Excess Levy continuation, authorize bids for phase two of the fiber broadband project, discuss Sun Valley annexation efforts, and recognize recent community successes. The meeting included a presentation by Dr. Paula Potter of Kanawha County Schools, a finance committee report, numerous community event announcements, and concluded with an executive session on a personnel matter. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Minutes from the September 21, 2026, City Council meeting were approved unanimously. - Invoice Payment: A motion to pay current invoices totaling $25,648.30 was approved. - Parks Department Payoff: A motion for approval to pay off the parks department passed without discussion. Praise and Recognition - Tractor Supply Soft Opening: A successful soft opening occurred on Saturday, October 3. The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at 8:30 AM, with a ribbon cutting at 9 AM, featuring a high school band, ROTC, pony rides, and food trucks. - Film Festival: The film festival on Main Street sold out and was praised as a great addition to St. Albans. - Brown White Performance: The CMA and Grammy award-winning artist performed at Dalton to excellent reviews. - Perfect Project Israel Fair: Held two Saturdays prior, the fair had over 30 informational organizations and approximately 100 families in attendance. Presentation and Resolution: Kanawha County School Excess Levy Dr. Paula Potter of Kanawha County Schools presented on the proposed continuation of the school excess levy, which runs through June 30, 2029. Key points included: - No new taxes: The levy is a continuation of the current levy, not a tax increase. - Budget impact: The excess levy constitutes approximately 22% of the overall school budget. - Consequences of failure: Without the levy, positions and extracurricular coaching would be cut. - Proposed new uses: Special needs playground equipment, robotics expansion, career and technical education at the middle school level, transportation to away athletic events, turf field upkeep, and additional roofing and HVAC projects. - Timing: The levy is being placed on the ballot early to allow adequate planning. A council member with 30+ years of teaching experience spoke strongly in favor, noting the levy funds unseen infrastructure like HVAC in addition to visible turf fields. Council unanimously passed the resolution supporting the levy. Finance Committee Report - Phase Two – Fiber Broadband Boxes: Council approved a motion to submit bids for phase two, which includes installation of approximately 9,000 linear feet of overhead and/or underground fiber optic cable between the central fire station and city hall. The project will create a redundant high-speed data backbone and allow service providers to tap into the fiber to serve businesses and residents, generating potential monthly income for the city. The scope change resulted from leftover funds after the original route to Cold Mountain was not completed. Parks and Recreation Report - Haunted Trail: October 9, 10, 16, and 17 from 7–10 PM at City Park. - Fishing Tournament: October 10 starting at 7 AM at Roadside Park. - Sensory Night / Haunted Trail: October 14 at 6 PM at City Park. - Fall Festival: October 17 from 1–3 PM at City Park. - Trunk or Treat: October 24, 3–5 PM at Maranatha Parking Lot. - Trick or Treat: October 31. - Hocus Pocus Movie Showing: October 24 at dark. Community Announcements - Chili Cook Off: October 17 from 12–6 PM on Main Street, with 25 chili cookers. Hayes Middle School has five teams competing and two additional teams fundraising; the athletic director offered school prize money for winning youth teams. - Mastery on Main Street: Students achieving mastery on standardized testing will be recognized at noon at the Chili Cook Off. - Annexation Update (Sun Valley): Councilman Knight addressed negative comments, stating the annexation is not a "sneaky" money grab—projections show it will break even—and is a response to requests from Sun Valley residents. Two signing events will be held at Lakewood: October 8 (Thursday) from 6–8 PM and October 11 (Sunday) from 3–5 PM, followed by door-to-door canvassing. Approval requires 50% plus one resident (50.01%). A five-page pamphlet detailing benefits from each city department is available upon request. - Other Events: Brand Free Insurance (Southern Gospel) at Greece Baptist Church on October 16 at 5 PM; blood drive at the police department on October 26; St. Albans Homecoming parade on October 15 and game on October 16; Morgan's Kitchen Fall Festival this Saturday with apple butter making starting at 6:30 AM. - Tractor Supply Ribbon Cutting Update: Event begins at 8:30 AM (not 9 AM as previously announced) due to district manager additions. Council members were asked to confirm attendance by Thursday for seating arrangements. Appointments - Parks and Recreation Committee: The reappointment of Navy (assumed name) to the Parks and Recreation Committee, with a term expiring June 30, 2029, was approved unanimously. Public Form A resident (addressed as "Dave" by the mayor) spoke regarding the annexation boundaries, seeking clarification on areas including Forest Brook, Bellwood, apartments behind the area, and the Par More storage unit. The mayor confirmed the boundary extends to the railroad tracks and includes Par More. The mayor thanked the resident and others for their patience and work on the annexation. Upcoming Meetings and Notes - Public Forks Committee: Wednesday, October 7. - Columbus Day Holiday: Monday, October 12 (city and MUC offices closed). - Finance Committee: Tuesday, October 13 at 4:30 PM in the MUC conference room. - Senior Council: Monday, October 19 at 6:30 PM at the McKinley Center. - Council Chambers Update: The water tank impeding elevator approval has been moved or is nearly complete; council hopes to meet back in the council chambers by the first meeting in November. Executive Session Council entered executive session relating to a personnel issue. No action was taken during the session. Key Outcomes - Resolution passed: Unanimous support for the Kanawha County School Excess Levy continuation. - Bid authorization approved: Phase two of the fiber broadband project to proceed. - Appointment confirmed: Navy reappointed to Parks and Recreation Committee. - Annexation process ongoing: Signing events scheduled October 8 and 11; door-to-door canvassing to follow. - Routine approvals: Minutes, invoice payment ($25,648.30), and parks department payoff approved.

The City Council/Public Financing Authority met on October 6, 2026, beginning with a closed session at 4:00 PM and reconvening publicly at 6:00 PM. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, council member comments, a Mayor’s Spotlight presentation, business highlights, community event announcements, a public hearing, consent calendar, and several discussion items. Key topics included the annual assessment for the Downtown Business Improvement District, legislative advocacy contracts, a lease assignment for the Park Bench Cafe, a firefighters grant, Main Street seatwall improvements, introduction of a police management MOU, establishment of an Art Center Advisory Committee, and a new item on the Independence Day Celebration Finance Subcommittee. Consent Calendar - Items 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22 were approved unanimously (7-0). These included: approval of minutes (14), quarterly listing of professional services contracts (15), HBTBID annual report for FY 2026-27 (17), a workers’ compensation third-party administration contract (20), rejection of bids for the Well 4 Facilities Upgrades Project (21), and award of a construction contract for Newland House Museum & Water Tower Restoration (22). Items 16, 18, 19, and 23 were pulled for individual discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Ryan Rustin (owner of Sugar the Surfing Dog) expressed gratitude to the council for inducting his dog into the Surfing Hall of Fame and praised the city’s improvements, safety, and business climate. He endorsed incumbents. - A candidate for city council (name not given) criticized the council for name-calling and costly lawsuits, calling for respectful, transparent leadership and responsible spending. - Jeannie Paris celebrated the record-breaking Pacific Air Show attendance and cited a 27% reduction in crime and the greatest reduction in homelessness since 2022. - A resident thanked the council for cleaning up Main Street, removing homeless encampments, and restoring planters and fountains. - Dean Schwartz advocated for non-smokers’ rights, citing health hazards of secondhand smoke and urging the council to take action. - Janet (last name not provided) supported incumbents, noting decreased homelessness and increased safety, and dismissed claims of a bad reputation. - Another speaker listed council accomplishments: fighting state housing mandates, cutting red tape, reducing homelessness by over 20%, and strengthening police force. - Nadim Altamimi and Nick Torres opposed the sister city relationship with Ramat Gan, Israel, calling it an endorsement of genocide and espionage risks. Torres also accused council members of being “bought and sold by Zionist paymasters.” - Linda defended the sister city relationship, citing Judeo-Christian values and blessing Israel. - Perry Clitheroe criticized the council for not having a housing element update on the agenda, calling their zoning policies misguided and illegal, and endorsed the Surf City 4 candidates. - Chris Clue (candidate for Assembly District 72) condemned anti-Semitism and white nationalism displayed by earlier speakers, criticized council’s library policies and budget deficit, and urged support for his candidacy. - Bethany Webb (via Zoom) criticized the air show giveaway to Code 4, the library book controversy, and claimed the council created a deficit and lost the Olympics due to reputation. - Other speakers addressed library book policies, infrastructure needs, housing affordability, and support for various candidates. Discussion Items - Item 16 – Legislative Advocacy Contracts: Staff reported renegotiated rates: state contract reduced to approximately $32,000/year (from $90,000) for monitoring only, federal contract reduced to $60,000/year (from $78,000). Councilmember Gruel and Williams expressed concerns about value and alignment with city priorities. Motion to approve as amended passed 5-2 (Gruel no, Williams no; Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns, Van Der Mark yes). - Item 18 – Park Bench Cafe Lease Assignment: Staff presented a 10-year lease amendment and assignment to 2R2S LLC, a local family with restaurant experience. Councilmember Williams questioned the lack of public disclosure of LLC members and moved to continue the item for more transparency. Substitute motion failed 2-5 (Gruel and Williams yes; Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns, Van Der Mark no). Original motion passed 5-2 (Gruel and Williams no; others yes). - Item 19 – Firefighters Grant: Fire Chief McCoy reported a $294,621 grant for 10 Lucas automatic chest compression devices. Motion to approve passed 7-0. - Item 23 – Main Street Seatwall Improvements: Public Works staff described a $541,750.28 contract with Rolcom, Inc. for new seat walls and painting, funded $400,000 from Visit HB and $200,000 from the Infrastructure Fund. Motion to award contract passed 7-0. - Item 24 – MOU with Police Management Association: Introduction of a three-year MOU with total projected cost of $971,641. Received and filed unanimously (7-0). - Item 25 – Art Center Advisory Committee: Resolution 2026-38 establishing the committee. Passed 5-2 (Gruel and Williams no; Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns, Van Der Mark yes). - Item 26-865 – Independence Day Celebration Finance Subcommittee: Councilmember Williams introduced a proposal for a subcommittee to review past audits and contracts and provide recommendations. After extensive debate, a substitute motion was adopted: the subcommittee (working with CFO Zach) will review the current RFP and existing contract deliverables, make edit suggestions based on a 2017 audit, and report back by the next regular meeting (October 20, 2026). Motion passed 6-0-1 (Van Der Mark abstained). Key Outcomes - Approved unanimously: Consent calendar items 14,15,17,20,21,22; Item 19 (firefighters grant); Item 23 (seatwall contract); Item 24 (MOU introduction). - Approved 5-2: Item 16 (legislative advocacy contracts with modified terms); Item 18 (Park Bench Cafe lease assignment); Item 25 (Art Center Advisory Committee). - Approved 6-0-1: Item 26-865 (Independence Day subcommittee with amended scope). - Public hearing closed: The Downtown Business Improvement District annual assessment was approved 7-0 with zero protests.

The City Council of Oakland met on October 6, 2026, from 3:33 PM to 7:43 PM, with Council President Kevin Jenkins presiding. Seven members were present (Brown, Fife, Gallo, Ramachandran, Unger, Wang, Jenkins); Councilmember Houston was excused. The agenda was modified to hear the State of the City address first. Key actions included adopting amendments to the S-8 housing ordinance, approving a construction contract for the 19th Street BART to Lake Merritt Greenway project, and passing a 45-day moratorium on data centers as part of the consent calendar. Extensive public comment focused on city worker contracts, the data center moratorium, and police overtime. Consent Calendar The consent calendar was approved with a vote of 7-0 (Houston excused). Notable items included: - 6.5 – Memorandum of Understanding with the Oakland Police Officers’ Association (OPOA), providing wage increases and bonuses. Councilmember Fife voted no; the ordinance passed for final passage 6-1 (Fife no). - 6.12 – Ordinance amending OMC Chapter 8.28 on solid waste, approved as amended with language clarifying enforcement. - 6.15 – Interim urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on data centers (effective immediately, requiring six affirmative votes; passed 7-0). - 6.1 – Approval of minutes from September 15, 2026. - 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 – Renewal of local emergencies for HIV/AIDS, medical cannabis access, and homelessness. - 6.6 – Informational report on the performance audit of the Vacant Property Tax. - 6.7 – Salary ordinance title changes. - 6.8 – Park restoration contract with McGuire and Hester ($453,907.93). - 6.9 – Residential parking permit zone adjustments. - 6.10 – 98th Avenue crossing improvements contract ($2,184,566.58). - 6.11 – Martin Luther King Jr. Way Complete Streets resurfacing contract ($7,306,798.13). - 6.13 – Grant to Service Opportunity for Seniors for Meals on Wheels ($150,000 per year for FY25-27). - 6.14 – Early care and education emergency grant ($500,000). - 6.16 – Informational report on OPD human trafficking enforcement. - 6.17 – Acceptance of CHP toxicology grant ($270,942). - 6.18 – Ratification of Mayor’s actions during 2026 annual recess. - 6.19 – Confirmation of Stephanie Wilborn to Head Start Advisory Board. - 6.20 – Professional services agreement with Barretto-Co. for signage ($300,000). - 6.21 – Resolution honoring Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar on its 50th anniversary. - 6.22 – Reappointment of councilmembers to ABAG Executive Board. - 6.23, 6.24 – Renewal of MOUs with ATF and DEA for OPD task forces. - 6.25 – Reappointment of R. Steven Wilkinson to Police and Fire Retirement Board. - 6.26 – Confirmation of Sharon Jones to Commission on Homelessness. - 6.27 – Settlement in Willie Wilson v. City of Oakland ($230,000). - 6.28 – Recognition of National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. - 6.29 – Resolution celebrating Soulovely’s 15th anniversary. - 6.30 – Commemorative street renaming of Broadway between 14th and 17th Streets as “Black Panther Party Boulevard.” Public Comments & Testimony Over 100 speakers addressed the council, with the majority speaking on the data center moratorium and city worker contracts. - City Workers (Local 21, SEIU 1021, Oakland Firefighters): Dozens of employees urged the council to direct the administration to offer a fair contract with cost-of-living adjustments. They stated that no COLA has been provided in 18 months, that vacancies exceed 20% in some departments, and that the city’s bargaining team has not made reasonable offers. Many contrasted the police contract (14% over five years) with the lack of raises for civilian workers. Speakers demanded equitable treatment and warned of a potential strike. - Data Center Moratorium: A large number of residents strongly supported the moratorium, citing environmental impacts (water usage, energy demand, pollution), noise, health effects, displacement, and the need for community control over technology. Some speakers advocated for a permanent ban. A smaller number of speakers opposed the moratorium, arguing that data centers bring investment, jobs, and technological progress. - OPD Audit and Overtime: Several speakers criticized the police contract and the slow implementation of audit recommendations, especially overtime tracking (projected for 2031). They called for GPS in patrol cars and stricter oversight. - Other comments: Concerns about illegal dumping, homelessness, affordable housing, traffic safety, and equitable investment across neighborhoods were raised. One speaker supported the street renaming for the Black Panther Party. Discussion Items 5.1 – State of the City (Mayor Barbara Lee) Mayor Lee presented an informational report, highlighting: - Crime reductions: burglaries down 26%, violent crime down 17%, homicides and shootings down by double digits over three decades, gun violence down 50% in 33 months. - End of federal oversight of OPD after 23 years. - MACRO crisis response handled 7,000 calls with 97% resolved without police or EMS. - Homelessness fell 20% between 2024 and 2026; 1,000 families prevented from losing homes; 1,300 affordable homes opened in two years. - $334 million in bonds unlocked for infrastructure and housing. - Balanced budget, filled over 1,000 vacant positions. - Other achievements: Oakland ranked 1 food city by Condé Nast, greenest big city in America, reopened parks and recreation centers. The report was received and filed (7-0-1). 4.1 – S-8 Ordinance Amendments (SB 79 Housing near Transit) Staff presented amendments to the Planning Code to address state HCD comments, excluding industrial parcels and adding four new transit stops. The public hearing had one speaker. Councilmember Gallo raised concerns about government-owned land not being included in the housing strategy. The ordinance was approved on introduction (7-0-1) and scheduled for final passage on October 20, 2026. 5.2 – Audit Recommendation Follow-Up Report City Auditor Michael Houston reported that 71% of 329 audit recommendations (dating from 2014) are now implemented or closed. 95 recommendations remain open, including 13 on police overtime. A new dashboard was launched. Councilmembers questioned delays in OPD overtime tracking and the need for interim solutions. The report was received and filed (7-0-1). 5.3 – 19th Street BART to Lake Merritt Greenway Project (Contract Amendment) Staff requested a $4.19 million amendment (total not-to-exceed $10.62 million) due to unforeseen conditions and delays. Councilmember Wang voted no, citing concerns about cost overruns (65% increase) and the use of Measure U funds. The resolution passed 6-1 (Wang no). 5.4 – Major Encroachment Permit at 1021 45th Avenue Granted for outward-swinging doors and planters, preserving 9.5 feet of sidewalk. No public speakers. Passed unanimously (7-0-1). Key Outcomes - S-8 Housing Ordinance approved on first reading (7-0-1), with final passage set for October 20. - 19th Street Greenway contract amendment approved (6-1, Wang opposed). - 45-day moratorium on data centers adopted as an urgency ordinance (7-0, with six affirmative votes required by City Charter Section 213). The ordinance includes a requirement for a written report within 45 days. - OPOA Memorandum of Understanding passed on final passage (6-1, Fife no). - All consent calendar items approved, including the data center moratorium, salary schedule changes, and various contracts and resolutions. - Council directed staff to provide a briefing on land owned by public agencies for housing, responding to Councilmember Gallo’s request.

The Wilmington City Council met at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in City Hall, Skyline Center, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mayor Bill Saffo presided; Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Spears and Councilmembers David Joyner, Salette Andrews, J.C. Lyle, Cassidy Santaguida, and Chakema Clinton-Quintana were present. Pastor Nikki Stevenson of Divine Faith & Restoration Church gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m. after unanimous approval of rezonings, appropriations, the Pirate Cove drainage package, and detailed City comments on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge environmental assessment. Presentations & Proclamations - Mayor Saffo and Council presented a proclamation naming October 5-10, 2026 as Minority Enterprise Development Week to Atiba Johnson, Executive Director of the Minority Chamber of Commerce. Johnson said the week would not be possible without City Council and invited residents to support local MWBE businesses. - A proclamation naming October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month was presented to Mandy Hourouras, Outreach Director of Domestic Violence Shelter and Services. The proclamation cited 1,061 adults and 85 children receiving direct services in 2025, including 130 adults and any children who received emergency shelter. Hourouras said help is available 24/7 at (910) 343-0703 and highlighted an October 12 faith summit and an October 29 Take Back the Night March with Attorney General Jeff Jackson. - A proclamation naming October 19-25, 2026 as Nuclear Science Week was presented to Thomas Ensley of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, who promoted hands-on events including a Nuclear Expo on the UNCW campus. Consent Calendar - The Consent Agenda was approved on a single motion, 6-0. It included: a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter a new lease for the seventh floor of Skyline Center with Daniels Tours, LLC; a resolution authorizing a new lease for the fourth floor of 115 N. Third Street with New Hanover Community Endowment, Inc.; and approval of the minutes of the September 21, 2026 agenda briefing and September 22, 2026 regular meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - Rodney Dixon, a city resident, described the August 21, 2026 shooting of his son Rodney Wilson. He said his mother called police because his son was acting erratically and had a weapon; police fired about 60 to 70 rounds, with more than 20 hitting his son, and after the gunfire an officer shot his son three more times while he was on the ground. He said his son was moved from Novant Hospital to a prison without a conviction, and that he has no faith in the Wilmington Police Department or the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office. - Sonya Bennetone-Patrick, Chair of the Black Caucus of the Southeastern Region, stood in solidarity with Rodney Wilson and his family. She said de-escalation was possible and that law enforcement uses excessive force in Black and brown communities but not with white suspects. She demanded mandatory cultural competency, implicit bias, and mental illness training for officers, mandatory community policing, and a complete and thorough investigation with police accountability. Public Hearings - PH1 - Continued: Staff requested and Council unanimously voted 7-0 to continue to the October 20, 2026 meeting the public hearing on rezoning 12.26 acres at 2225 Stonecrop Drive and 1124 Gallery Park Boulevard from O&I (CD) to O&I (CD) to allow a future mixed-use development. - PH2 - Approved with condition: Council held a public hearing on rezoning 2.176 acres at 120 and 124 Canal Street from R-20(L) Residential (Legacy District) to R-7(CD) Medium-density Single-dwelling (Conditional District) for an eight-townhome residential development. Staff reported the townhomes would be three stories with a maximum height of 35 feet, 16 parking spaces would be provided, five specimen live oak trees would be retained, and 12 regulated and 9 significant trees would be removed with mitigation required. Staff also reported no comments in support and one comment in opposition. The site is in an Intracoastal Tidewater Area of Opportunity, and staff found modest policy support. Councilmember Andrews confirmed that the 25% impervious limit and tree protections were secured; applicant representative Cindee Wolf said runoff would be managed through stormwater provisions in front of the buildings. Applicant Nathan Singerman agreed to accept a condition prohibiting short-term rentals. Public speaker Deborah Dobbins, a neighbor across the creek, said she was not opposed but raised concerns about upper-story lighting reflecting into the creek, runoff, pesticides and fertilizers, impervious surfaces, demolition of older homes, and protecting the creek ecosystem. Mayor Pro Tem Spears questioned the price point and said adding higher-priced housing can exacerbate displacement of low- to moderate-income residents. Council approved the rezoning 7-0 with added Condition 5 prohibiting short-term rentals, and waived the second reading 7-0. - PH3 - Approved: Council rezoned 2.02 acres at 3301 Burnt Mill Drive from LI (Light Industry) to O&I (Office & Institutional District). Staff said the site is occupied by a single-story multi-tenant office building and is essentially an LI island in an O&I area; about 42 acres of Burnt Mill Business Park were rezoned to O&I in 2002. One comment supported the request and none opposed; the Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0. Applicant attorney Andy Van Trigt of Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, PLLC said the request aligns the parcel with its existing use and surrounding zoning. Council approved the rezoning 7-0 and waived the second reading 7-0. The agenda lists the PH3 vote as 6-0; the minutes and transcript record unanimous approval. Ordinances & Resolutions - O1 - Supplemental appropriation ($193,825): Council approved an ordinance making a supplemental appropriation of $193,825 from committed revenue funds for maintenance and improvements at Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park and Hugh Morton Amphitheater at Greenfield Park. Staff said the fee schedule includes a $0.50 per-ticket surcharge for nonprofit agencies and a $2 per-ticket surcharge for for-profit productions, with $1 allocated to maintenance. The FY27 allocation was $37,250 for Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and $156,575 for Riverfront Park, totaling 39% of the $494,303 committed revenue. Mayor Pro Tem Spears asked about replacing the Lion's Bridge at Greenfield Lake; City Manager Becky Hawke said the cost is about $1.4 million but grants will reduce the City's share. Approved 7-0; second reading waived 7-0. - Pirate Cove drainage package: Council approved three related items: R1.A, an interlocal agreement with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority for reimbursement of up to $257,582 for relocating water and sewer lines affected by the Pirate Cove Drainage Improvement Project; O1.B, an ordinance appropriating $257,582 from CFPUA to the Stormwater Capital Projects Fund for the project; and R1.C, a construction contract award to East Coast Contracting, Inc. of Wilmington, NC for $1,096,362. Staff said the project will improve undersized and failing drainage infrastructure, stabilize eroded channels, and reduce flooding; the construction budget is approximately $1.4 million, the construction duration is about 8 months, the corridor is about 0.5 miles, and completion is estimated for fall 2027. Six bids were received, with East Coast Contracting as low bidder. Staff noted part of the runoff comes from older development around Masonboro Loop and Sound Road built before current stormwater regulations. R1.A passed 7-0, O1.B passed 7-0 with second reading waived, and R1.C passed 7-0. Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (R2) - Staff Comments on NCDOT EA - Council adopted a resolution endorsing detailed City staff comments on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (NCDOT HB-0039) Environmental Assessment. The EA was released August 14, 2026, with public comments due October 15, 2026. Staff said the comments respond both to technical deficiencies and to public concern about tolling, design options, and community impacts. - Staff opposed Design B, a fixed 135-foot span, because it would land traffic on Fifth Avenue, a residential street, and cause greater impacts to the historic district, traffic, noise, and the human environment. They also said the EA's study area is too narrow and should be expanded, historic-impact evaluations should occur before design selection, and mitigation costs should be included in cost comparisons. - Staff also opposed tolling, saying a toll could equal 14% of a poverty-level family's annual income, reduce economic output, cost more than 200 jobs, and require a state law change that could set a dangerous precedent. - City consultants presented three additional design options: a new bascule bridge (four-lane estimate $140 million, six-lane about $780 million); a two-lift-bridge option reusing the existing bridge and adding a new three-lane bridge (six lanes with multi-use path estimated at $585 million, compared with NCDOT's estimates of over $1 billion for Design A or B); and a southern bridge near Shipyard Boulevard (about $6 billion including nine miles of interstate). Staff requested that NCDOT evaluate these alternatives with the same scrutiny as its own designs and complete a Section 216 navigation study with the Army Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard. - Council discussion covered the use of federal grant funds for alternative designs, the EA's 3.27% traffic growth factor, mitigation costs, a 2022 Coast Guard horizontal clearance memo, lower vertical clearance, and potential toll diversion to the Isabel Holmes Bridge. Councilmember Andrews reminded the public that comments are due October 15 via the city website. - The resolution was approved unanimously on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Spears, seconded by Councilmember Clinton-Quintana. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved 6-0. - PH1 continued to October 20, 2026, 7-0. - PH2 approved with no-short-term-rental Condition 5 and second reading waived, 7-0. - PH3 approved and second reading waived; agenda lists 6-0, minutes/transcript record unanimous approval. - O1 supplemental appropriation approved and second reading waived, 7-0. - R1.A approved 7-0; O1.B approved and second reading waived 7-0; R1.C approved 7-0. - R2 Cape Fear Memorial Bridge comments resolution adopted 7-0. - The next regular City Council meeting is October 20, 2026.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no summary of discussions, decisions, or public comments can be generated.

The Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing held a public hearing and regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. The sole agenda item was a resolution to create a Tobacco Sales Permitting Program (Item No. 37257). After one public comment, staff presentation, and committee discussion, the committee voted to refer the resolution to the full Common Council with a favorable recommendation, adopting amended substitute language. Public Comments & Testimony - Antoinette, a 30-year resident of New Britain and concerned citizen, expressed strong support for the resolution. She shared her personal observations of youth smoking and vaping during her own school years and cited the 2026 Youth Voices Count survey as confirming ongoing concerns about youth access to tobacco and nicotine products. She urged the committee to act proactively to prevent youth use, referencing Connecticut Public Act 26100 which limits permits based on population density. Discussion Items - The committee received a presentation from a staff member (Health Department) explaining the proposed licensing program. The program aims to: (1) monitor tobacco sales to limit youth access, and (2) work in tandem with previously approved zoning changes regarding smoke shops. Key statistics from the Youth Voices Count survey (grades 6–12, sample size over 2,000 students) were highlighted: - 91% of students perceive parental disapproval of cigarette smoking; 90% perceive disapproval of vaping nicotine. - 81% perceive peer disapproval of smoking; 76% perceive peer disapproval of vaping. - 74% perceive risk of harm from smoking; 74% perceive risk from vaping (inversely, 25% do not perceive harm). - 42% of high school students (grades 9–12) report not using vaping products because they do not know how to obtain them. - The licensing program would require annual permits, inspections, and enforcement by the Health Department, working with state partners and police (using underage compliance checks). The effective date is set for April 1, 2027, to allow time for public education and to avoid overlap with other licensing cycles. - Committee members discussed the scope of the regulation (any retailer selling tobacco or vaping products, not limited to smoke shops). Alderman McNamara clarified that the zoning threshold (10% of retail sales in tobacco/vape products) determines whether a store is regulated as a smoke shop under zoning, but all cigarette sellers would be covered by the permitting program. - Alderman Barbosa raised concerns about smoke shops selling cannabis; staff clarified this ordinance does not address cannabis sales, which would be referred to state or local law enforcement. - Alderman Santiago questioned permit fees and the timeline for existing stores to apply; staff confirmed a notice campaign and that new establishments must apply as of April 1, 2027. - Alderman Malinowski asked about enforcement against unlicensed establishments; staff stated that partnerships with state agencies are being developed, with referrals planned. - Alderman Gibson asked about an appeal process; staff confirmed that appeals would follow the standard citation process defined in Code Section 1-17, which was recently updated by the council. - A procedural discussion occurred regarding the substitution of resolution language. Initially, the committee handled it as a substitute, but later recognized that the council had referred the original, requiring a formal amendment. A motion was made and carried to strike all and insert the substitute language. The approved substitute included clarified appeal language on page 5. Key Outcomes - The committee voted unanimously (ayes all, no nays) to adopt the substitute language via a strike-all amendment. - The committee then voted unanimously (ayes all, no nays) to refer the amended resolution (Item No. 37257) to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. - The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 PM.