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SHOWING 5711–5720 ENTRIES
5711
SEP 15, 2026 · FORT WORTH, TEXAS · CITY COUNCIL
Fort Worth City Council Meeting – September 15, 2026: Budget, Tax Rate, and Community Recognitions

The Fort Worth City Council met on September 15, 2026, beginning with invocations and pledges. The meeting included special recognitions, extensive public comments, and action on the FY2027 budget, property tax rate, and a new street maintenance fee. Key debates centered on fiscal priorities, tax increases, and data center regulations. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 PM. Special Presentations and Recognitions - Hispanic Heritage Month: Mayor Pro Tem Flores and Councilmember Martinez presented a proclamation declaring September 15 – October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities. - Vernell Stearns Memorial: Mayor Parker and Commissioner Miles presented resolutions honoring the late Vernell Stearns, former acting city manager and DFW Airport executive director, for his pioneering public service and mentorship. Family members spoke in gratitude. - Pink in the Park 10th Anniversary: Councilmember Nettles recognized Yolanda Battle for founding the annual breast cancer awareness parade and event in the Highland Hills community. The 10th annual event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM. - Library Card Sign-Up Month: Councilmember Beck recognized September as Library Card Sign-Up Month, highlighting the Fort Worth Library’s 125 years of service and 4.3 million annual visits. - Tunnel to Towers 25th Anniversary: Councilmember Crane recognized the foundation’s 25th anniversary and its work providing mortgage-free homes to fallen first responders’ families. Retired officers noted the foundation has paid off homes for 101 Texas families, including Fort Worth Officer Garrett Hall’s family. Consent Calendar - Approved routine consent agenda items, including board appointments to various commissions and advisory bodies, with unanimous votes. Public Comments & Testimony - Conley Brewer (District 6): Opposed the proposed property tax rate increase and new street maintenance fee, questioning the city’s use of $22.1 million in surplus interest income. He argued the city should prioritize existing revenue before raising taxes or fees. - Gage Young (District 4): Urged adoption of the no-new-revenue tax rate of 67.04 cents, noting the proposed 70.565 cent rate was a 4.7% increase. He highlighted rising fees and called for transparent reporting. - Michael Howell (Pascal neighborhood): Proposed zero-based budgeting and criticized capital project management, citing a $600,000 contract for only eight light pole replacements. - Steven Sanchez: Discussed data center noise and water consumption, citing Meta’s average 210,000 gallons per day. He requested the city amend noise ordinances. - Multiple speakers (Letitia Wilburn, Charles Harrell, others): Expressed concerns about data center impacts on neighborhoods, including noise and lack of regulation. - Fort Worth ISD speakers (Stephanie McCartney, Sabrina Ball, David Martinez): Criticized the state takeover and board of managers, citing cuts to special education services, curriculum errors, and lack of support for dual credit programs. They urged council members to engage with the school district. - Bob Willoughby: Criticized council for scheduling public comments at the end of meetings and alleged lack of responsiveness from council members. - Ambika Sharma: Presented TAD appraisal data showing homes valued under $200,000 are over-appraised (106% of market value) while homes over $1 million are under-appraised (71%), calling it a constitutional violation. She urged council to address appraisal freezes. Discussion Items - FY2027 Budget and Tax Rate: The council debated the proposed budget of $3.32 billion (general fund $1.16 billion) and a tax rate of 0.70565 (effective 5.26% increase). Councilmember Hill stated she would vote for the budget but against the tax rate increase, citing insufficient spending cuts. Councilmember Beck called that “virtue signaling,” noting the budget and tax rate are legally linked. Councilmember Nettles argued the increase is necessary to maintain services, and that most homeowners would see lower tax bills due to lower appraisals. Councilmember Larsdorf disagreed, stating he was elected to represent his district, where residents opposed the increase. The budget was approved unanimously; the tax rate increase passed on a separate vote. - Street Maintenance Fee: An ordinance to establish a pavement management fee was approved, with an amendment by Councilmember Crane requiring semi-annual public reporting, a 12-month implementation review, and a commitment that revenues (estimated $27.4 million annually) be used exclusively for pavement management. The fee takes effect in FY2028. - Data Center Zoning (Black Mountain): The council discussed proposed data center developments. An amendment to increase the setback from 150 feet to 300 feet for the Black Mountain site was approved. Councilmember Flores noted ongoing work on a data center regulatory framework with a 60-day timeline before the state legislative session. - Fort Worth ISD Discussion: Several public comments addressed the state takeover and board of managers’ decisions. No formal council action was taken, but council members were urged to attend school board meetings and support students. Key Outcomes - FY2027 Budget Approved (unanimous) - Property Tax Rate Increased: Adopted tax rate of 0.70565 (5.26% increase over no-new-revenue rate). Motion carried. Councilmembers Hill and Larsdorf voted in opposition. - Street Maintenance Fee Established: Ordinance approved with Crane amendment for reporting and fund exclusivity. Fee revenue projected at $27.4 million annually beginning FY2028. - Data Center Setback Increased: For Black Mountain site, setback amended to 300 feet. - Zoning Cases Approved: Multiple zoning changes approved, including warehouse use on Old Denton Road and various residential/commercial rezonings. - Board Appointments: Reappointments to Aviation Advisory Board, Board of Adjustment, City Plan Commission, and other boards approved. - Other Items: Recognitions and proclamations adopted. Public hearings closed on tax rate and other items.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 14% · BUDGET EQUITY ANALYSIS 13% · PROCEDURAL 11% · PUBLIC HEALTH 8%
5712
SEP 15, 2026 · RIVERTON, UTAH · MEETING PORTAL
Riverton City Council Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Riverton City Council held a hybrid work session starting at 5:06 PM and a regular council meeting at 7:01 PM on September 15, 2026. The work session covered a transition in the city’s text messaging service, an update on the 13400 South canal crossing bridge replacement, and a detailed review of proposed amendments to the General Plan. The council meeting included presentations recognizing Constitution Week, historic homes, Riverton Baseball, and the Dual Check Resetter project, along with extensive public comment (primarily on the city’s 287(g) agreement with ICE), consent item approvals, and adoption of the hazard mitigation plan. Consent Calendar - Minute Approval: September 1, 2026 meeting minutes were approved unanimously. - Resolution No. 26‑40: Approved a Direct Award Grant Funds Agreement with UDOT for roadway improvements on 2700 West between 13400 South and Bangerter Highway. - Resolution No. 26‑44: Authorized the Mayor to execute an agreement with Forge Industrial for the Trestle Lane Waterlines Relocation Project. Public Comments & Testimony - Jake Hunsaker (Riverton resident and candidate for Utah House District 48) identified infrastructure, property taxes, and local government control as key voter concerns, and outlined legislative priorities on unfunded mandates and transportation. - Lena Long and Todd Christensen asked the Council to allow uncovered cargo containers used for agricultural purposes on a one‑acre property, citing safety risks to horses from required coverings and calling for common‑sense application of regulations. - Matt K. (Salt Lake DSA) argued that the 287(g) agreement with ICE was signed without Council deliberation or a vote, calling it illegal under city code, and requested a formal vote to either affirm or end the agreement. - Summer Joos described the impact of a family member’s detention by ICE, urged the Council to bring the agreement forward for a vote, and questioned an unsubstantiated claim that 70% of residents support it. - David Mobley (Riverton resident) opposed repeated comments on the 287(g) agreement, described outside activists as disruptive, and cited arrest data (Riverton: 7 arrests vs. West Valley City: 793) to argue the agreement is insignificant. - Seth Dunn opposed the 287(g) agreement, stating research shows such agreements reduce crime reporting by immigrant populations, and urged the Council to put the agreement to a public vote. - Brian Clouser (Salt Lake DSA) expressed opposition to the agreement, describing concerns about immigrant treatment and detention, and urged the Council to consider the human impact. - Erin Barney (Riverton native) disputed the characterization of opponents as outside agitators, described personal connections to Riverton, and urged ending the 287(g) agreement. - Alex LeCates (West Jordan) argued the agreement affects surrounding communities and questioned whether it serves Riverton’s interests. - Cruz Romo (Riverton resident, first time at a meeting) raised concerns about Flock surveillance technology on public roads and parks, and about sharing local surveillance data with federal agencies like ICE. Discussion Items - Text Service Discussion (Nate Slack): Following an RFP, Regroup was selected to replace Constant Contact for the city’s text messaging. The five‑year, $21,000 contract provides unlimited texts to about 17,000 contacts (rather than 3,000) at a cost of $4,000‑$5,000 per year, with geofencing capability and mobile app access. Implementation is expected soon. - 13400 S. Canal Crossing Bridge Update (Matt Cassel): The federally funded bridge replacement is scheduled to begin October 15 with a 90‑day construction window, closing 13400 South between Redwood Road and 2700 West. The bridge will remain two lanes but will include bike lanes and sidewalks. The city contributes 7% of project costs. Also discussed: upcoming sewer relocations for Mountain View Corridor and mainline construction starting spring 2027 (three‑and‑a‑half‑year duration). - General Plan Draft (Jason Lethbridge): Proposed updates to the land‑use map to align with existing zoning and development patterns, focusing on Redwood Road and 12600 South corridors, the golf course area, the mobile home park along Bangerter Highway, and other properties. Key discussion points included RM6 and mixed‑use designations, consistency with surrounding neighborhoods, and setting priorities for infrastructure, transportation, and land use over the next three to five years. Councilmembers debated the appropriate density and the inclusion of mixed‑use (RMU) on Redwood Road, with some preferring straight RM6 to avoid patchwork commercial development and others supporting limited mixed‑use. The draft also identifies recreational, commercial, and residential activity centers. - Resolution No. 26‑12 – Hazard Mitigation Plan (Kevin Hicks): Volume 1 is the countywide plan; Volume 2 is the Riverton annex. Two versions were presented: Version 2 removes the “effects on climate change” column from Table 11. The plan is required for FEMA funding eligibility after a disaster. Councilmember Smith inquired about radon mitigation; staff explained it is a homeowner responsibility. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda approved by unanimous vote (5‑0). - Resolution No. 26‑12 adopted (Volume 1 and Volume 2, Version 2) by unanimous vote (5‑0) to adopt the Salt Lake County Multi‑Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. - Strategic Planning Meeting set for September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the police station basement. - Next regular council meetings: October 6 and October 20, 2026 (work session at 5:00 PM, council meeting at 7:00 PM). - Closed session on pending litigation was postponed because a necessary pre‑meeting could not be held. - Mayor Buroker announced open office hours every Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM starting in October, and that the water rate increase approved on June 2 had been communicated through multiple newsletters. - Councilmember McDougal reported on Day of Service activities along the Jordan River Parkway, encouraging resident ownership of trails and parks. - Councilmember Haymond reported on Jordan Basin Improvement District efforts (plant expansion, cost savings on printers and billing) and noted heavy rain caused high wastewater flows but the system performed well. - Councilmember Johnson reported on the South Valley Chamber of Commerce presentation about the Salt Lake Temple open house (April 27 – October 1, 2027), the Get to the River Festival, and continued drought conditions (59% of state in severe drought). - Councilmember Smith reported on Mosquito Abatement District (West Nile virus detected), attendance at Friday Fun Nights, and appointment to the TRCC board. - Councilmember Pierucci discussed the impact of HOA fees on home purchasing power, praised staff for a water conservation presentation, and encouraged support for new businesses.

GENERAL PLAN 16% · LAND USE REGULATION 14% · PUBLIC SAFETY 13% · PARKS AND RECREATION 9%
5713
SEP 15, 2026 · NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE · METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
Nashville Metro Council Meeting September 15, 2026: HEFB Vote, Consent Agenda, and Public Comment

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County met at the Historic Metro Courthouse on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The regular session began at 6:30 p.m., following 6:00 p.m. announcements. The meeting opened with the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and the council approved the minutes of the September 1, 2026, meeting. Announcements - The Davidson County Election Commission was promoted as the definitive and trusted source for voting information; residents were directed to GoVoteTN.gov to verify voter registration and update addresses. Consent Calendar - The council voted on the consolidated consent agenda after Resolutions 2026-2262 and 2026-2278 were removed as companion items by request. The remaining consent items — routine resolutions and ordinances recommended unanimously by committees — were approved by a roll-call vote with 33 yes votes. Public Comments & Testimony - A public commenter spoke against an ICE-related call center, saying it would enable what the speaker called the "often unconstitutional actions of ICE." The commenter said Nashville should not enable or support ICE on a national level, argued the call center would not benefit Davidson County or Tennessee, and pledged to continue fighting so that neighbors who choose to call Nashville home can live, belong, and thrive there. - Public comment was limited to 20 minutes total, with up to two minutes per speaker. No testimony was given during the public hearing on Resolution 2026-2291; no opponents were present, and supporters present did not request to speak. Elections - Will Rosenthal was elected to the Health and Educational Facilities Board for a term expiring September 30, 2032. The vote was 27-7 over Chase Markham. Rosenthal was nominated by Council Member Allen, and Markham was nominated by Council Member Parker. Discussion Items - Ordinance BL2026-1512, sponsored by Council Member Benedict, was discussed on third and final reading. The ordinance would require MDHA to provide Council information if MDHA chooses to change the current 75% maximum set-aside for TIFs. A roll-call vote was required if any member voted no; the supplied materials do not include the final count. - During council discussion, a member urged the Council not to write each other off over a single vote, noting that members may agree 99% of the time but will never agree 100% of the time. - Appointees and nominees who appeared before the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee were presented for interviews. No votes were taken in that section; the council follows a two-meeting process for elections and confirmations. Key Outcomes - Minutes of September 1, 2026, approved. - Will Rosenthal elected to the Health and Educational Facilities Board, 27-7. - Consent agenda approved with 33 yes votes. - A vacancy on the Human Relations Commission (term expiring April 18, 2027) and a vacancy for a non-voting board member are scheduled to be filled by election at the October 6, 2026, Council meeting. - The next regular Council meeting was announced for Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

PROCEDURAL 26% · PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 17% · COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 15% · ZONING AND LAND USE 8%
5714
SEP 15, 2026 · SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA · CITY COUNCIL
Santa Rosa City Council Meeting - September 15, 2026

The City Council of Santa Rosa convened at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Council Chamber at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue. Mayor Mark Stapp presided. Six members were present (Mayor Stapp, Council Members Alvarez, Bañuelos, Fleming, MacDonald, Rogers); Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie was absent. Council Member MacDonald participated via teleconference from Maui, Hawaii. The meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m. The agenda included proclamations, staff briefings, reports, consent items, and public comment on non-agenda matters. Proclamations & Presentations - National Transit Month (September 2026) – Council Member Fleming read the proclamation and presented it to Rachel Eid (Deputy Director Transit) and Luis Rivera (City Bus operator). Public comments from Peter Edwards (MV Transportation) and a speaker named Steven praised transit services and connectivity with Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transit. - Creek Week 2026 (September 19–25) – Council Member Rogers read the proclamation. Michael Santarini (Environmental Specialist I) highlighted events including a tour of culverts beneath City Hall and a bilingual birding event. No public comments. Staff Briefings - Community Empowerment Plan Update (Item 8.1) – Ana Horta (Community Engagement Manager) presented upcoming events: Firefighter Story Hour (Sept. 19), Measure L and election info session (Sept. 27), District 5&6 community meeting (Oct. 1), gun buyback event (Oct. 3), boards/commissions recruitment workshop (Oct. 6), Pumpkins in the Parks scavenger hunt (Oct. 1–30), and Faith & Blue event (Oct. 11). Council received and filed the update; no public comments. City Manager’s & City Attorney’s Reports City Manager Jason Nutt reported: - Sept. 17 community meeting on Flock automated license plate readers (ALPR) hosted by Santa Rosa Police Department. - City awarded 2026 Bike Infrastructure Project of the Year by Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition for the Highway 101 / Hearn Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing. - 44th Annual Merit Awards Ceremony on Sept. 21 at Finley Community Center. - Bennett Valley Golf Course named best in Sonoma County by Press Democrat Readers’ Choice Awards. City Attorney Ashle Crocker had no report. Public comments during City Manager/Attorney reports: - Cynthia spoke in opposition to Flock cameras, asking if visual representation would be provided at the Thursday meeting; City Manager Nutt confirmed images would be shown. - Jennie Gilpin (North Bay Organizing Project) spoke in opposition to Flock cameras, citing privacy concerns and citing that Boston had canceled its Flock contract. She urged the Council to cancel the contract. Mayor’s & Council Members’ Reports Council members provided brief reports on subcommittee liaisons, district meetings, and community events. Council Member Rogers highlighted that SCTCA awarded $25 million in grant awards, including five Santa Rosa projects. She also shared heroic acts by Parks Maintenance employees Jared Gardner, Edward Wandre, and Moses Jacinto Ramirez in saving lives; they were commended. Council Member Alvarez reported on RUP/RCP high school integration. Council Member MacDonald thanked a park board representative and noted pickleball courts opened at Howard Park. Council Member Bañuelos announced a Violence Prevention Policy Team meeting. Mayor Stapp reported on state legislative fixes for goat herder wages, the Santa Rosa Marathon, former mayors luncheon, district town halls, the city being named most business friendly in Sonoma County (second consecutive year), Russian River Watershed consolidation efforts, and several ribbon cuttings. He also noted a prayer vigil for Nepal and Vince Harper Day. Public comment on council reports: Michael Hilber urged council members to tour the area around Sam Jones Hall, citing vagrancy, trash, and fires in the ditch. Approval of Minutes - August 18, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes – Approved as submitted. - August 18, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes – Approved as submitted. Consent Calendar (Items 13.1–13.10) All consent items were approved by a 6-0 vote (Vice Mayor Okrepkie absent). The following actions were taken: - 13.1 – Approved First Amendment with Best Best & Krieger LLP for legal representation, increasing compensation by $400,000 to a total not to exceed $500,000. - 13.2 – Approved General Services Agreement with Air Applied Mulch LLC for engineered wood fiber mulch, total not to exceed $600,000 over potential five-year term. - 13.3 – Approved Fifth Amendment with CalMat Co. (Vulcan Materials), increasing compensation by $150,000 for total $729,615.45. - 13.4 – Approved First Amendment to Zero Waste Sonoma JPA, clarifying authority to accept loans from member agencies. - 13.5 – Adopted Resolution RES-2026-103 for purchase of four replacement paratransit cutaway vehicles from Model1 Commercial Vehicles Inc. for $744,450. - 13.6 – Adopted Resolution RES-2026-104 appropriating $2,683,593 from State Water Resources Control Board expedited drinking water grant for Park Royal Water Consolidation Project. - 13.7 – Adopted three resolutions (RES-2026-105, 106, 107) authorizing Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan applications for Fulton Road Sewer Lift Station Relocation Project. - 13.8 – Adopted Resolution RES-2026-108 approving Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement of Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency. - 13.9 – Adopted Resolution RES-2026-109 acknowledging receipt of Fire Department’s SB 1205 annual inspection report for calendar year 2025. - 13.10 – Adopted on second reading Ordinance ORD-2026-014 amending Water Waste Regulations (Chapter 14-21) to prohibit irrigation of nonfunctional turf with potable water, with compliance deadlines and enforcement provisions. Originally introduced on August 18, 2026 (passed 7-0). Public comment on consent items: Michael Hilber spoke in opposition to Item 13.8 (Groundwater Sustainability Agency JPA), arguing it would impose fees on well users and was wasteful. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Matters (Items 14 & 18) More than ten speakers addressed the Council between 5:00 p.m. and 5:19 p.m. Key positions: - Flock cameras / surveillance: Multiple speakers (including Ronnie, Jason Newman, June Brashares, Bruce Dabanian, Stephanie, and others not present) opposed the Flock ALPR system, citing privacy violations, Fourth Amendment concerns, discrepancies in audit logs, and lack of transparency. They urged the Council to cancel the contract. - Housing equity: Cynthia Birdy Frease (SafeCannabis 707) requested policy changes to allow renters to consume medicinal cannabis, noting current code poses equity gaps and could generate revenue. - Downtown parking: A business owner (Ken) requested free parking to support downtown businesses. - Cannery affordable housing: Michael Hilber described the building as a “drug den” after a narcotics bust and called for action. Written Communications - Legislative update included support letters for SB 692 (vehicles: homelessness) and AB 2296 (housing element). Received and filed. - Notice of Final Map – Meadowood Ranch. Received and filed. Key Outcomes - Consent items (13.1–13.10) approved 6-0 (motion by Alvarez, second by Rogers). - Minutes approved as submitted. - Proclamations presented and received. - No report items or public hearings. - Meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m.; next regular meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 16% · PUBLIC COMMENT 15% · PUBLIC SAFETY 15% · PROCEDURAL 14%
5716
SEP 15, 2026 · LEESBURG, VIRGINIA · TOWN COUNCIL & COMMISSIONS
Leesburg Board of Zoning Appeals Business Meeting - September 15, 2026

Meeting Date: September 15, 2026, 7:00 PM The Leesburg Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held its semi-annual business meeting. With a quorum of four voting members present, the Board approved minutes from prior meetings and received a high-level update on the ongoing zoning ordinance rewrite. No formal appeals or public hearings were conducted. Approval of Meeting Minutes - The Board approved minutes of the October 21, 2025 meeting as amended (one word correction: changed "park" to "part") by a vote of 4-0. - The Board approved minutes of the January 20, 2026 meeting by a vote of 4-0. A prior motion was corrected to include both meeting minutes. Unfinished Business - No unfinished business was brought before the Board. Brief Zoning Ordinance Update - Staff provided an overview of the zoning ordinance rewrite process. Council began review of the rewrite on June 22, 2026, and is currently at step seven, covering non-conformities, enforcement procedures, and word usage. - Key changes include compressing residential districts (RE, R1, R2, R4 into RS - Residential Suburban) and adding new districts (Neighborhood Center, Innovation Center, OSP for parks/open space). The ordinance now uses a character-based approach to uses instead of a finite list. - A comprehensive remapping of the entire town will accompany adoption. Existing proffers will remain in effect. - Anticipated finalization is expected within a couple of months. The ordinance will be published online via the ENCODE platform immediately after adoption. - Themes identified by Council for further discussion include: zoning district densities, scale in the historic district, use table flexibility, short-term rentals, buy-right vs. legislative reviews, and parking. - Public engagement topics have included transition of legislative approvals to ordinance standards, landscaping/buffering, and parking. - The Board requested a training session on the ENCODE platform for their January 19, 2027 meeting. Next Meeting - Next scheduled business meeting: January 19, 2027 (unless a case arises earlier).

ZONING ORDINANCES 59% · PROCEDURAL 36% · SHORT TERM RENTALS 5%
5717
SEP 15, 2026 · NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS · DEFAULT VIEW
Appointments & Briefings Committee Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Appointments and Briefings Committee met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:02 PM in Council Chambers. The agenda included citizen input, an appointment to the Election Commission, a host community agreement for a cannabis business, updates on County Street construction, South End sewage odor complaints, and an update on South Coast Renewables litigation. Several items were tabled, and one appointment was forwarded to the full council. Public Comments & Testimony - William Lacey (914 Lucy Street) spoke about unsafe driving by New Bedford police officers on Lucy Street. He described an incident at dusk on a long summer day where three police Ford Explorer SUVs transited from Bartlett Street to LaPage Street at speeds over 50 mph with lights only, activating sirens only after reaching Route 18 and Cushnet Avenue. He expressed concern for pedestrian safety, noting a recent fatal accident involving a five-year-old autistic boy. He suggested enacting a quiet time for sirens (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and urged the council to prevent future incidents. He answered a question confirming the time was near sunset (8:30 p.m.). - Items 1c (Carmen Norman), 1d (Catherine Synnott), and 1e (Brian Santerre) were not addressed as speakers were absent; 1d and 1e were rescheduled to the October meeting. Discussion Items - Appointment of Brian J. Sousa to the Election Commission: Sousa, a lifelong New Bedford resident with prior service as an auxiliary police officer, EMT, police officer, pastor, and deputy director of emergency management, answered questions about accountability (to voters and election laws) and his motivation (election integrity). Councillor Burgo and Baptiste expressed support despite delays in the appointment process. A motion to correct the spelling of his name from "Sousa" to "Sousa" with a Z was made but deemed unnecessary. The committee voted to report the appointment to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. - Host Community Agreement (HCA) for Houz of Diesel (THConnect, LLC): City Solicitor Eric Jaikes reported that the HCA screening committee met, reviewed the proposal, found technical errors, sent questions, and received responses that afternoon. He stated he was satisfied and expected likely approval, but could not commit for the whole committee. Shamar James, CEO, and Connie Sousa expressed readiness and asked the city to adopt the CCC template to expedite the process. Councillor Baptiste praised the thorough application. Councillor Gomes emphasized continuing progress. The item was tabled to allow further review. - County Street Construction Project: Jim Costa (Wastewater Superintendent, DPI) provided an update: phase two (Rivett Street to Allen Street) utility work is complete, binder pavement installed, sidewalk work will finish this fall. Phase three coordination with Eversource is beginning. Councillor Pereira requested better temporary yellow line markings for safety. Councillor Baptiste raised concerns about residential access, trash pickup, and mail delivery during construction. Councillor Lopes asked to keep one lane open and minimize porta-potty placement duration, especially before snow. Costa confirmed these would be addressed. The item was tabled. - South End Sewage Odor Complaints: Councillor Pereira and others discussed ongoing odor issues near the South Rodney French Boulevard treatment facility. Jim Costa provided a summary of 2026 odor complaint logs (calls to Veolia, texts/calls to DPI, and NB 311 reports). Councillor Pereira noted that the administration had claimed only out-of-town residents complain, contradicting a petition from South End residents. Residents Tracy Wallace and Wendy Morrill questioned whether NB 311 complaints are effectively logged and pushed to Veolia without city follow-up. They reported that a resident who called the plant directly was told the employee did not know how to handle it. Public-facing data from Veolia’s odor monitors is expected soon. The item was tabled pending further review in the Environmental Affairs Committee. - South Coast Renewables (formerly Parallel Products) Appeal: Wendy Morrill updated that an appeal hearing was held on September 3, 2026, with 17 community members (including Councillor Choquette and former Councillor Morad) present. The judge asked clarifying questions of attorneys for SCR, the Board of Health, and Conservation Law Foundation. The judge acknowledged the community’s interest and noted the hearing was unusually long. A decision is due by October 23, 2026. Morrill hopes the Board of Health’s denial is upheld. The item was tabled. Key Outcomes - Brian J. Sousa appointment to the Election Commission was voted to be reported to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation (voice vote, no opposition). Spelling of his name was corrected to "Sousa" with a Z. - Items 3 (Houz of Diesel), 4 (County Street), 5 (South End odor), and 6 (South Coast Renewables) were all tabled by voice votes. - Items 7 and 8 were waived and reported out to the full council with no further action. - Meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.

PROCEDURAL 16% · CANNABIS REGULATION 16% · ENGINEERING AND INFRASTRUCTURE 11% · WATER AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT 11%
5718
SEP 15, 2026 · MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN · COMMON COUNCIL & COMMITTEES
Manitowoc Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Zoning Board of Appeals of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, met on September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the Jim Brey Conference Room at City Hall. The board considered one variance appeal, approved prior meeting minutes, and unanimously voted to deny the requested variance. All votes were 5-0. Approval of Minutes - Motion to approve the April 21, 2026 Zoning Board of Appeals minutes was made by Mrotek, seconded by DeZeeuw, and carried unanimously (5-0). Public Comments - No public comments were recorded during the meeting. Discussion and Action Item: 26-0792 Variance Appeal – 1611 Green Street - Applicant: Luis Garcia Minjares - Property: 1611 Green Street, Manitowoc, WI (Tax Key 595-001-032) - Request: A variance from Municipal Ordinance 15.390(5)(d) to permit construction of a porch roof 20 feet wide projecting 9 feet into the designated front yard setback. - Applicant absent: The applicant did not appear at the meeting. - Staff testimony: Building Inspection Supervisor S. Keil stated that the staff report was accurate. - Board discussion: Acting Chairperson Jean Wakefield read the staff analysis of the three hardship tests. Board members discussed that the three hardship tests were not proven and that the project had commenced without an approved building permit. Key Outcomes - Motion to deny the variance was made by DeZeeuw, seconded by Zimmerman. The board voted unanimously (5-0) to affirm the decision of the Building Inspector and deny the variance because the applicant did not meet the burden of proof nor provide evidence satisfying all three hardship tests under State Statutes. - Motion to adjourn was made by Zimmerman, seconded by Mrotek, and carried unanimously (5-0) at 5:08 PM. Note: The raw transcript provided contained only a brief, unrelated statement and did not include the substantive discussion. This summary is based on the official meeting minutes and agenda.

PROCEDURAL 100%
5719
SEP 15, 2026 · WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN · PUBLIC MEETINGS
Waukesha City Meeting – September 15, 2026 (No Content Available)

The source material for this meeting is empty. No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided, so no substantive summary of the proceedings can be produced. Note on Source Material - The agenda was marked as not available. - The minutes were marked as not available. - The raw transcription was blank. Because no discussion items, public comments, or votes were recorded in the available materials, any attempt to summarize specific topics, speaker positions, or decisions would be speculative and inaccurate. No actions or outcomes can be reported.

5720
SEP 15, 2026 · CARROLLTON, TEXAS · CITY COUNCIL
Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Carrollton City Council held a combined Worksession and Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The worksession convened at 5:45 PM in the Council Briefing Room, where the council received a briefing on police technology and crime reduction strategies. The regular meeting began at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, featuring a proclamation for Emergency Preparedness Month, approval of consent agenda items, a separate public comment period and vote on a consolidated Flock Safety contract, and council reports. Consent Calendar The following items were approved unanimously via consent, exclusive of Items 9 and 13, which were considered separately: - Item 8: Approval of the August 18, 2026 regular council meeting minutes. - Item 10: Authorization to enter into a three-year agreement with Esri for enterprise GIS software licensing at an annual cost of $157,564 (total not to exceed $472,692). - Item 11: Authorization for Change Order No. 1 with ESO Solutions for the Fire Department records management solution, increasing the total contract to $307,307.75. - Item 12: Authorization to renew agreements with various furniture vendors through Collin County cooperative agreements, not to exceed $880,000 for Fiscal Year 2027. - Item 14: Resolution authorizing an agreement with Metrocrest Services, Inc. for $629,092 in services plus $113,000 in CDBG funds for homelessness efforts. - Item 15: Resolution authorizing an agreement with Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas for $104,637 for Fiscal Year 2027. Item 9 (approval of September 1, 2026 minutes) was pulled for individual consideration and passed unanimously. Proclamation Mayor Steve Babick read a proclamation declaring September as Emergency Preparedness Month, recognizing the city’s emergency management staff and encouraging residents to prepare emergency kits and plans. Emergency Management Coordinator Jay Johnson accepted the proclamation and thanked the council for their support. Worksession Briefing: Police Use of Technology and Crime Reduction Strategies Police Chief Robert Arredondo, Assistant Chief Caleb West, and Commander Zach White presented the department’s crime reduction strategy, which has reduced overall crime by nearly 50% over four years. Key points: - The 2025 crime rate was 65% lower than 20 years ago, making Carrollton the fourth safest big city in the metroplex. - The strategy is intelligence-led and data-driven, focusing on people, places, behavior, and partnerships. - Technology tools include Flock Safety ALPRs (67 license plate readers and 15 PTZ cameras), a Real-Time Crime Center, drones (including Drone as First Responder), and Live 911. - The proposed Item 13 consolidates four existing Flock contracts into one three-year agreement with no new cameras or additional funding required. Annual cost is $398,258.34 (total $1,194,775.02), already budgeted. - Data retention is 30 days, with role-based access controls, permanent audit logs, and proactive misuse detection. No data is sold or shared with federal agencies or non-law enforcement entities. - The department has had zero substantiated cases of misuse of the Flock system, and the Chief committed to swift discipline for any future abuse. Public Comments & Testimony on Item 13 (Flock Safety Contract) A large number of residents and stakeholders spoke during the public comment period, with about 20 speakers presenting both opposition and support. Opposition arguments (from Jeffrey Faust, Brian Chandler, Hannah Fausto, Claire Neago, Kim Crossley, Kurt Booth, Arya Dean, Jonathan Bowen, Mark Baim, Nicholas Brown, Amara, Micah Dumont, John Etzel, Kenneth Vagans, Laurie Foster, Christian Hernandez, Amna Malik, James McAllister, Ketzia Mendez, Nicholas Solis, Joseph Sutton, Michelle Wiggington, and others) included: - Concerns about civil liberties, mass surveillance, and the "mosaic theory" that aggregated data can reveal intimate details of life. - The lack of a public hearing before deployment and the need for voter input. - Data stored in the cloud with a private company (Flock) raises cybersecurity risks; documented cases of officer misuse in other jurisdictions (stalking, false stops) were cited. - Opportunity costs: $1.2 million could be spent on traffic safety, officers, or infrastructure. - The Texas state government recently paused additional Flock purchases; Carrollton should follow suit. - Technical vulnerabilities in Flock devices, including open vulnerabilities in the NIST database, were noted by an IT professional. - A petition for certiorari is pending before the Supreme Court on whether ALPR database searches constitute a Fourth Amendment search. Support arguments (from Rusty Pendleton, Harold Vinson, Alexander Fincher, and others) included: - The technology is a critical force multiplier that has led to recovery of stolen vehicles, arrest of wanted persons, and solving of violent crimes. - Data retention is limited to 30 days, and strong internal controls and audits are in place. - License plates are publicly visible; no facial recognition or individual tracking occurs. - Carrollton’s police department has earned trust through transparency and results, and the chief has committed to accountability. - Without Flock, Carrollton would become a "hole in the donut" for criminals in the metro area. Discussion Items Councilmembers debated Item 13 at length before the vote: - Councilmember Fleming opposed, arguing that the interior camera network goes beyond perimeter security and that the public deserves a direct vote on such a surveillance program. - Councilmember Sutter supported, noting that similar data is already collected by private tech companies and that the cameras solve real crimes and protect the vulnerable. - Councilmember Axberg supported, expressing trust in the police department’s accountability and the council’s oversight role. - Councilmember Cline supported, emphasizing crime deterrence and not hamstringing the police. - Councilmember Watters supported, calling for continued community engagement and trust. - Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Carpenter supported, stating that the tools are legal and necessary, and that courts will ultimately decide constitutional questions. - Mayor Pro Tem Palomo supported, highlighting life-saving applications (Amber Alerts, missing persons) and the objective nature of plate-reading technology. - Mayor Babick noted that the city has reviewed case law and believes the contract is constitutional, and that if the law changes, the city will comply. Key Outcomes - Approval of consolidated Flock Safety contract (Item 13): The motion passed 7-1, with Councilmember Fleming dissenting. The three-year agreement for 82 cameras and software, valued at $1,194,775.02 (annual $398,258.34), was authorized. The city manager may execute the cooperative agreement. - Consent agenda items (8, 10-12, 14-15) were approved unanimously. - Minutes of September 1, 2026 (Item 9) were approved unanimously. - Emergency Preparedness Month was formally proclaimed. - Council members shared individual activity reports and recognized Hispanic Heritage Month, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, National Suicide Prevention Month, and various community events. An upcoming joint worksession with Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District was announced for October 27.

PUBLIC SAFETY 50% · TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION 33% · PROCEDURAL 6% · COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 6%
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