The Public Meeting Index

The Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board (HEP) convened on November 3, 2026, at 7:45 PM. The meeting covered multiple agenda items including consent calendar approvals, several public hearings on tree appeals and certificates of appropriateness, and a lengthy public hearing on a proposed amendment to the historic designation of the First Presbyterian Church. The board approved most items with conditions, and one appeal was continued. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from September 1, October 6, and a special meeting on October 13, 2026, with an amendment granting an after-the-fact absence waiver for a board member. - Accepted withdrawal of Item 1 (appeal) as requested by the appellant. Public Comments & Testimony - On Item 4 (Palm Grove alterations): One resident spoke in favor of the project, noting the windows should be allowed. - On Item 5 (Bayside addition): A representative from the Bayside Residence Association supported the project with modifications to parking. - On Item 3 (First Presbyterian Church): Extensive public comment from both supporters and opponents. Supporters included church members who emphasized the congregation's growth and need for funding. Opponents, including residents of the Icon Brickell condominium and preservation advocates, argued that the annex and parking lot are integral to the historic property and that the board should not reduce the designation. Discussion Items - Item 2 – Non-Conforming Use Exception (175 NE 45th St): Staff recommended approval for continued multifamily use in a T3-O zone. Board member Perez expressed concern about non-permeable asphalt parking. The board approved the exception 7-0 and separately recommended that the owner improve the parking to permeable surface. - Item 4 – Special Certificate of Appropriateness (7650 NE 5th Ave): Applicant sought to enclose a garage, add windows and a deck in Palm Grove Historic District. Staff recommended approval with conditions. The board voted 7-0 to approve with additional conditions: remove chain-link fence, add brick pattern under new garage window, allow clearstory windows, and limit fence height to 6 feet. - Item 5 – Special Certificate of Appropriateness (747 NE 72nd St): Applicant proposed a new addition and site improvements in Bayside Historic District. Staff recommended approval with conditions including removing barrel tile coping and limiting driveway width. The board voted 7-0 to approve with amendments: allow 16-foot driveway per neighborhood guidelines, allow barrel tile coping, add windows to west elevation, and preserve decorative front steps tile. - Item 6 – Appeal of Intended Decision (Tree Removal, 221 NE 36th St): The appellant requested continuance because their attorney was unavailable. The board granted continuance to the next regular meeting on December 1, 2026, over the appellee's objection. - Item 7 – Appeal of Intended Decision (Tree Removal, 3201 Day Ave): Initially postponed, later the appellant withdrew the appeal after the property owner agreed to retain a key tree (Gumbo Limbo 5) and provide additional replacement trees. The board accepted the withdrawal. - Item 3 – Amendment to Historic Designation (First Presbyterian Church, 609 Brickell Ave): The applicant (church) sought to reclassify the school annex and parking lot as non-contributing and amend the boundary to include only the sanctuary. After hours of testimony from experts and public, the board voted 6-1 to approve the amendment with conditions, including a covenant requiring that any future development on the non-designated portion be reviewed by the board for consistency with Chapter 23 standards. The approval was based on the specific plans presented, and any material changes to the exterior (scale, proportion, materiality, articulation) would require board approval. Key Outcomes - Item 2: Approved 7-0 with a recommendation for permeable parking. - Item 4: Approved 7-0 with conditions. - Item 5: Approved 7-0 with amended conditions. - Item 6: Continued to December 1, 2026. - Item 7: Withdrawal accepted. - Item 3: Approved 6-1 to amend the historic designation report for First Presbyterian Church, removing the school annex and parking lot from the designation, subject to a covenant requiring board review of future development on the site consistent with the plans presented. The board also decided not to hold a special meeting in December. The meeting adjourned after 9:00 PM.

The Omaha City Council met on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Councilmember Melton was absent. The council addressed routine liquor licenses, several rezonings, and multiple financial agreements. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a contested special use permit for a recovery facility and traffic safety concerns related to a proposed rezone. The meeting adjourned at 4:11 p.m. Public Comments & Testimony - Items 17-18 (Ames Avenue Rezone): Tracy McElway, a resident of North 36th Avenue, opposed the project, citing safety hazards from a steep, narrow alley with zero visibility. She argued the development would increase risks to property and pedestrians. - Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery Special Use Permit): Two residents firmly opposed expanding the facility. The first cited frequent emergency vehicle dispatches, traffic, and parking issues. The second noted dangerous traffic conditions and a lack of adequate parking for visitors. - Item 52 (Puritan Manufacturing TIF): A company representative spoke in support of the Tax Increment Financing agreement, stating it was necessary for building improvements and stormwater management. Discussion Items - Items 9-15 (2501 Center Street Redevelopment): The council approved a comprehensive rezoning and platting package. Councilmember Hug requested the applicant secure the property until demolition. - Item 16 (North 13th Street Duplexes): Developer Lawrence Butler presented plans for three affordable housing duplexes in cooperation with Front Porch and the Omaha Inland Port Authority, with units priced at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The rezoning was approved. - Items 17-18 (Land Bank Rezone on Ames Avenue): Following public testimony, councilmembers discussed alley safety with Public Works and the Land Bank. The Land Bank agreed to explore safety improvements with the city's Vision Zero program. The rezone passed 6-0. - Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery): The facility requested a major amendment to its special use permit to house up to 28 residents, up from the 10 approved in 2007. During the hearing, it was revealed the facility had been operating with 18 to 24 residents without the necessary zoning approvals. Councilmember Hug expressed strong disappointment, stating the facility "blew through that number from the original permit from 2007, and now you're asking for forgiveness." Councilmember Rowe suggested capping the permit at the current operational level. The Law Department requested time to prepare a formal amendment. Key Outcomes - Items 6-18, 49-55, and Consent Agendas: All items were approved by a vote of 6-0. This included two liquor licenses, multiple rezonings, a $115 million bond issue, a $250,000 legal settlement, and grants for a hospital-based violence intervention program ($526,983), police radios ($1,000,000), and the Women’s Center for Advancement ($52,000). - Item 19 (Inroads to Recovery): The item was laid over to the November 24, 2026 meeting by a unanimous 6-0 vote to allow the Law Department to draft a written amendment. Several council members indicated opposition to approving the full requested increase to 28 beds.

The Tuscaloosa City Council met on November 3, 2026, for a regular business meeting. The council approved the previous meeting's minutes, voted against condemning a previously tabled property, heard a street vacation request and four alcohol license applications, discussed adding extra meeting dates to the calendar, reviewed board appointments and upcoming agenda items, and certified an executive session. Property Condemnation — 905 1/2 18th Street - Mr. Williams reported that the property at 905 1/2 18th Street, owned by Lonnie Golightly, had been tabled for 90 days at the August 3rd hearing and that the owner had completed the exterior repairs, including a new roof, fixed siding, and new windows. - Williams recommended the council vote no to condemn, stating the property is back in good shape on the outside and no longer in a condemnation state. - He said he instructed the owner to pull a permit for the interior repairs and complete them before anyone moves in. In response to a council member's question, he confirmed the owner cannot rent the property until the city signs off through the permitting process, and that the majority of the original condemnation issues were exterior. - The council agreed with the recommendation and voted no to condemn. Street Vacation — Eastern End of 31st Street (Cedar Forest) - Mr. Gardner presented a request to vacate a portion of the eastern end of 31st Street in connection with the Cedar Forest neighborhood development. - When the subdivision was developed, the roadway was altered, moved slightly south, and curved to the north; the relocated right-of-way has been recorded and dedicated, and the request is to vacate the existing superseded portion. - Asked about houses on the south side, Gardner confirmed the few houses there were removed and none of that area will be affected by the vacation. Alcohol License Applications Mary Beth Franks presented four applications for council consideration: - Jenny Crimson Corner LLC, DBA 15th Street Chevron (District 5): retail beer and retail table wine, off-premises only, new owner, at 1819 Veterans Memorial Parkway. Hours: Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Franks confirmed to a council member that this is a change of ownership. - Dariella LLC, DBA L. Calentano Mexican Grill (District 6): restaurant retail liquor license, at 6343 Interstate Drive in Cottondale. Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Maximum occupancy is 95. Franks added that the food is good and 'they're nice folks.' - Riverside Market Inc., DBA Riverside Package Store (District 1): approval letter as a specialty retailer of consumable hemp products, at 401 Alman Avenue Suite B. Hours: Sunday 12 to 9:30 p.m.; Monday through Wednesday 8 a.m. to midnight; Thursday 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. - Downtown Entertainment LLC (District 4): special events retail license (less than seven days) for seven alumni game-day events, including a 'Dazed and Confused' field party, during the two November home football game weekends. Meeting Calendar Discussion - The mayor said only four council meetings are currently scheduled over the next two months — November 17, December 15, January 12, and January 26 — and expressed concern about the volume of pending issues and about applicants, such as those with alcohol licenses, who need council approval to begin operations. - A November 10 meeting was ruled out because public notice requirements could not be met (notice for the following week's meetings must be provided the next day). - Staff noted that a December 1 meeting would be tight: City Hall is closed the Thursday and Friday after Thanksgiving, so the agenda would need to be finalized the day after the preceding council meeting. - Council members discussed November 24 and December 8 as possible additions; December 8 is a special election day (not citywide), but the mayor noted the council has held meetings on election days before and that he cannot vote that day anyway. January 19, the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was also raised as a possibility. - The mayor stated: 'We don't work for our convenience. We work with the convenience of the 115,000 people to pay our salary.' He also said he has received at least one concern about the upcoming calendar. - The council agreed to stay flexible on dates and to add at least two additional meetings, with communication to follow. Board Appointments — Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports (TTS) - Ms. Johnson presented two resumes for the TTS board: Dr. Lewan Hutchinson, a current board member seeking reappointment (this would be his second and final term, after which he would have to sit out before returning), and William Houston, a new applicant for a first term. - Doug Hiller did not submit a resume and did not want to be reappointed. - Council members expressed support for both appointments. Department Announcements — Municipal Court - Municipal court staff announced a Community Connections Resource Fair and Fresh Start Docket on the upcoming Friday at the courthouse and Government Plaza. - More than 40 vendors will be set up along Gary Fitz Avenue and into the plaza, with driver's license and voter ID offices on site. From 1 to 3 p.m., a docket will be held in the courtroom for anyone with outstanding matters to walk in and talk to the judge and prosecutor. - The mayor praised Judge McKinney and her team for their work on the program. Agenda Briefing — Upcoming Items Mr. Holmes briefed the council on items scheduled for upcoming meetings, including: - Considering the demolition cost for the structure at 2714 31st Avenue and authorizing the filing of a lien. - Authorizing a contract with Jim House and Associates Inc., declaring a bid law exemption pursuant to Alabama Code 41-16-51, totaling $90,811, for the Water and Sewer Department. - Tentatively awarding a public works contract to Quarterstone Civil Contractors for utility relocation for the ALDOC project involving State Route 69 intersection improvements from Mimosa Park Road to north of the I-59 overpass, totaling $219,867.50. - Authorizing an as-needed minor public works contract with JL Tree Service, not to exceed $50,000. - Authorizing a professional services contract with SPX Aids to Navigation, not to exceed $3,686.85. - Authorizing a minor public works contract with Night Sign Industries, totaling $34,700. - Authorizing Amendment No. 2 to the contract with Flock Group Inc., not to exceed $182,100, for the Tuscaloosa Police Department. - Authorizing disbursements from district improvement funds: $5,000 from District 4 for the DCH Foundation; $1,500 from District 6 for Bryant High School; $1,500 from District 6 for Jeremiah's Community Gardens; and $1,000 from District 7 for Central Elementary and Central High Schools. - Authorizing a consulting agreement with Milleman for benefit calculations, eligibility reviews, actuarial reports, and the FY 2026 GASB 67 and 68 reports for the City of Tuscaloosa hourly pension plan, not to exceed $33,125. - Authorizing a consulting agreement with Kavanaugh McDonald for actuarial valuations for GASB 67/68/75, not to exceed $25,700. - Authorizing a merit executive engagement letter with The Arbitrage Group, not to exceed $14,000. - Authorizing the purchase of equipment, supplies, or services from Stivers Ford for Municipal Court, totaling $66,141, as a previously budgeted purchase. - Expressing the city's intent to offer an extension renewing and extending the North Star EMS franchise agreement for an additional two years. - Authorizing the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding with LSU for a practicum for social work students. - Authorizing the creation and implementation of a children's toys for parking tickets program (Toys for Tots). - Authorizing the mayor to execute a lease agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for recreation use and construction of the Northern Riverwalk Phase 2 across state lands. - Authorizing Amendment No. 2 to the fiscal year 2027 general fund budget. Executive Session - The mayor announced there were four items for executive session. - Following a motion and a second, the city attorney certified the executive session to discuss legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation or controversy imminently likely to be litigated; security plans, procedures, assessments, measures, or systems for persons, structures, facilities, or infrastructure, including critical infrastructure; and the consideration the city is willing to offer or accept when considering the purchase, sale, exchange, lease, or market value of real property. - The council voted aye to enter executive session. Key Outcomes - The council unanimously approved the previous meeting's minutes. - The council voted no to condemn 905 1/2 18th Street; the owner must complete permitted interior repairs before anyone can move in. - The street vacation request and four alcohol license applications were presented; the transcript shows no votes on these items. - The council agreed to add at least two additional meeting dates to the calendar, with final dates to be determined and communicated. - Council members expressed support for reappointing Dr. Lewan Hutchinson and appointing William Houston to the TTS board. - The council voted to enter executive session.

The Olympia parking/business improvement area advisory group met at 19:30 UTC on November 3, 2026. No agenda or minutes were available, so this summary is based on the raw transcript. The discussion centered on debriefing the first advisory/leadership meeting, reviewing phase-one consultant findings, and planning next steps toward a written recommendation by the end of calendar year 2026. Discussion Items - Staff recapped the initial advisory/leadership meeting, including summary notes, the core group of participants, and a few people who may join later. Jenica had presented phase-one consultant work and recommendations; Desiree gave a primer distinguishing the PBIA from the ODA, Chamber of Commerce, and related entities. Staff planned to use the Friday meeting to review best practices and how other communities use PBIA-type dollars. - Residential assessments drew challenging comments from two or three participants, especially the phase-one consultant recommendation to assess rental properties. Staff said nothing was set in stone and that the concerns were aimed at that recommendation, if not necessarily the concept of assessing rental or residential properties. Urban Olympia pushback included sticker shock and the comment that owners should not be punished for being successful. A phase-one figure of $100 per unit was discussed, with the expectation that landlords could pass an assessment through to tenants. Staff and board members said the program needs to be framed as a value and a clear line drawn from fees to services. - Parking and transit generated substantial energy: customer and commuter throughput, employees feeding meters, and possible parking benefits for downtown employees. A parking garage was described as outside the program’s guardrails and funding capacity, costing roughly the whole budget times 10. Smaller parking benefits were considered potentially feasible. One participant said the Diamond Parking lot is city-owned; another said they believed it is private, and the transcript does not resolve the discrepancy. - Participants were open to re-evaluating the PBIA map and zones but did not show a burning priority to do so. Staff noted that shifting the physical footprint would likely introduce the most complexity. The transcript references three overlapping zones with some unique areas. - Questions arose about who is covered by the ratepayer framework, including nonprofits and public entities. The transit agency, referred to in the transcript as inner city transit, was described as a significant downtown presence but not a participant or ratepayer; concerns included idling, wear and tear, and trash near bus stops. Participants suggested considering these impacts in clean-and-safe operations. - Empty buildings and downtown vacancy were raised as a related issue. Staff connected the conversation to the city’s downtown vacancy study and said there should be closer attention to the perception that some owners benefit more from leaving space empty than renting it. - Communication and clarity were repeated themes: the business community must clearly understand what it gets for its fees, and the program should avoid alphabet-soup confusion. Staff noted that annual reflection meetings had not been held for a few years and could return after restructuring. A targeted resident information packet and quantifiable “were it not for the PBIA” examples were suggested. Marketing and communications capacity is limited, and former subcommittees no longer exist largely because of city staffing constraints. - The clean team was discussed as a service to restore or expand rather than radically transform. Staff said the city now covers clean team costs entirely, whereas the PBIA previously contributed about 40% of its budget to clean team and ambassadors. A dedicated downtown clean team expansion was framed as a possible added value. Bathroom infrastructure came up but was cautioned as expensive. Safety was noted through alleyway lights and possible cameras. - The history of the Downtown Improvement District was reviewed: an ODA consultant proposed a DID, which would have required signatures from 60% of downtown property owners and would have replaced the PBIA. It failed to reach the threshold, with reported pushback from some residential property owners. - A possible name change was discussed. Because parking is the first word in the PBIA name, participants suggested that if the final recommendation does not substantially address parking, the board could recommend a name change to avoid raising expectations. Staff said a name change would likely require City Council action rather than a public vote. - Internships and outreach were discussed. The contract has some budget for interns, a job description has been drafted, and contacts exist at Evergreen and St. Martin’s, including a St. Martin’s pool of four people. The board was comfortable with student interns receiving a stipend and supporting business outreach and open houses. Desiree and the ODA are expected to lead marketing and communications. - Staff outlined next steps: a Friday meeting on best-practice research, open-house events in the next month, and an order of operations for the next few meetings. Staff wants a written final recommendation before the end of 2026, even though the city contract runs into the first quarter of 2027. November was described as the key working month because December holidays will pull attention. Key Outcomes - No formal motions or votes appear in the transcript. The group generally agreed to continue the process and use the Friday meeting to focus on best practices and comparative PBIA models. - Staff was directed in discussion to structure the next meetings toward a written recommendation, develop alternative scenarios, and consider issues including nonprofit inclusion, ratepayer framework, possible name change if parking is not substantively addressed, and clearer communication of benefits. - The board supported using student interns for outreach, subject to a stipend and quality assurance, and supported planning open-house events. - Jenica was asked to email the board a link to the archived recording so members who missed the conversation could catch up. - No decision was made on residential or rental assessments; staff emphasized that the phase-one recommendation remains open for alternative approaches.

The Mobile City Council Finance Committee, chaired by Councilman Josh Woods and including Councilman Reynolds and Councilwoman Ingram, convened on November 3, 2026, to receive a status update on the Regent's Arena construction and to review the administration's response to the fraudulent $14.7 million financial transaction. Discussion Items Regent's Arena Construction Status - Project manager Sam reported that the arena is approximately 75% complete and on schedule to open for its first event on March 25, 2027. Interior drywall, tile, and mechanical work are largely complete, while millwork and ice rink installation are underway. - The original $300 million budget included a $15 million owner's contingency and a $15 million construction contingency. The owner's contingency was reduced by the $14.7 million fraud loss, leaving approximately $285 million for construction. Sam projected a final cost of $281.6 million, finishing under the available budget. - Councilman Reynolds questioned remaining payments, the use of contingencies, and the shifting of FF&E costs between budget categories. Sam confirmed monthly payments are current and approximately seven more payments are expected. $14.7 Million Fraudulent Transaction and August Incident - City Attorney Robert detailed two separate wire fraud incidents from 2026. - August Incident: A third party compromised the city's IT system. A fraudulent payment request was received on August 12, funds were disbursed on August 13, and the full amount (approximately $1 million) was recovered by August 18. New vendor verification protocols were implemented on August 28. - October Incident: A $14.7 million wire transfer was fraudulently obtained. This is the subject of active FBI and Secret Service investigations. The funds have not been recovered. - Investigations: Multiple entities are investigating the matter, including the FBI, Secret Service, KLA Legal (engaged by the city's insurance carrier Coalition), Pulsanelli (a national law firm retained by the city for a wide-scope investigation), a cyber forensics team from Coalition, and two local accounting firms reviewing accounts payable controls. - Personnel: One employee has been terminated and two placed on leave in the finance department. The administration cited ongoing personnel matters in declining to provide further specifics. - Insurance: The city has a $25,000 deductible on its Coalition policy. Administrative Internal Controls Update - Finance Director Logan stated that accounts payable is now completely separated from vendor verification. All vendor and payment instruction changes now require a three-layer approval process culminating with the finance director. A complete review of the active vendor pool is underway. - Logan acknowledged that the manual review process has slowed payments, but prioritized secure payments and a return to a normal cadence as quickly as possible. - The administration committed to providing the council with weekly written updates. Council Push for Independent Investigation - Councilman Penn expressed the need for the council to conduct its own independent investigation alongside the criminal and administrative probes to restore public trust. - Councilwoman Ingram, Councilman Fleming, and Councilman Reynolds concurred, emphasizing the investigation must focus on root causes including high turnover and operational vulnerabilities, rather than solely on the criminal act. - Chair Woods acknowledged the consensus and agreed to work with the council attorney to identify members for an ad hoc committee to oversee the parallel review. Key Outcomes - The administration will provide written responses to outstanding council questions within one week. - The administration will provide weekly status updates to the council (primary contacts identified as Keisha Brown and Chief Barber). - The council will move forward with launching its own independent investigation into the city's financial controls and policies. - A follow-up Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for two weeks later to continue the discussion and address the previously scheduled TIFF presentation. - The Regent's Arena remains on schedule and is projected to complete under its available budget.

On November 3, 2026, the North Bend City Council met at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Mary Miller presided, with five council members present (Councilmembers Jocelyn and Torgeson absent and excused). The meeting included proclamations, a presentation, public hearings, and action on multiple agenda items. All consent calendar items and most main agenda items were approved unanimously, except for a criminal justice tax ordinance which was tabled to June 2027. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved: October 20, 2026 meeting minutes; payroll warrants 79655–79658 totaling $406,523.52; checks 79659–79719 totaling $1,003,341.17; Resolution AB26-099 accepting the SR-202 Sidewalk Gap Project; Ordinance AB26-100 amending NBMC 14.12.130(B) for floodplain management; Motion AB26-101 authorizing a contract with Otak for city project review; Motion AB26-102 authorizing a contract with G&O for design of the South Fork Lift Station Rehabilitation Project. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during audience participation, either in person or online. Proclamations - Encompass Day Proclamation: Mayor Miller proclaimed November 9, 2026 as Encompass Day in Carnation, Duvall, North Bend, and Snoqualmie, celebrating Encompass’s 60th anniversary. Nella Cunningham, Executive Director, accepted and outlined a strategic goal to serve every child in the valley needing pediatric therapy or early learning by 2030, estimating an additional 1,000 children per year. - Gold Star Families City Proclamation: Mayor Miller designated North Bend as a Gold Star Families City. Monica and Patricia, representatives of Gold Star Families of Washington, spoke about the importance of the designation and their personal connections to North Bend. Presentation - Empower Youth Network: Executive Director Helene Wentink presented the organization’s work in youth suicide prevention (559 middle school students in North Bend received “How to Help a Friend” training in 2026), substance use prevention (755 North Bend students exposed to campaigns), mentoring (30 youth in North Bend with mentors, 25 adult mentors from the city), youth engagement activities, and resource coordination (10 North Bend families served in 2026). Council commended the shift from fear-based to health-focused messaging. Discussion Items - AB26-103 – Criminal Justice Tax (0.1% Sales Tax): Finance Director Martin Chaw introduced an ordinance to impose a 0.1% criminal justice sales tax, estimated to generate $330,000 annually to partially offset rising police costs (from $2.8 million in 2025 to $5.1 million by 2028). Councilmember McFarland moved to table the ordinance to the second council meeting in June 2027, citing the need to evaluate other pending tax measures (levy lid lift, fire services RFA). The motion passed unanimously. - AB26-104 – Meadowbrook ULID No. 7 Bond Anticipation Note Refinance: Deputy Finance Director Elaine Morse and bond counsel Deanna Gregory explained the refinancing of a $1.2 million design bond anticipation note and a $7.5 million construction note into one note at a fixed rate of 5.60%, extending maturity to September 1, 2027. The ordinance was approved unanimously on first and final reading. - AB26-105 – 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Planning Director Mike McCarty presented amendments to the parks element (new multi-use trail standard, policy revisions) and capital facilities element (updated police contract, functional plan updates). These elements had been adopted by resolution earlier (Resolution 2191 on August 18 and Resolution 2198 on October 6). The ordinance adopting the amendments was approved unanimously. - AB26-106 – 710 Pump Station Stream Restoration Design Contract: Public Works Director Tom Mohr described storm damage in December 2025 that caused erosion behind the 710 pump station. A contract with Gray & Osborne for design services (not to exceed $382,874, with 75% FEMA reimbursement) was recommended. Initial emergency repairs were completed. Council also noted that staff will contact DNR regarding potential sedimentation from logging. The motion was approved unanimously. Mayor, Council & Administrator Concerns - Councilmember McFarland urged vigilance in election counting. - Councilmember Elwood reported that Eastside Fire & Rescue covers 80% of technical rescue calls and received over 1,100 applicants for 14 positions; crime at the outlet mall is down 60%; and Chief Hall introduced the Blue Bridge program allowing officers to use donated funds on debit cards to assist people in need. - Councilmember Cullen thanked Jennifer Kirk for her work at Reclaim, a shelter service for the Snoqualmie Valley. - Councilmember Restick highlighted a Seattle Times article on unintended consequences of affordable housing policies in Seattle. - Mayor Pro Tem Tremulata reminded residents to prepare for winter storms and support local businesses. - Administrator Amber Emory announced a fall emergency management town hall on winter preparedness. - Mayor Miller announced the third annual Holiday Window Fest (Nov 13), the Friends of the North Bend Library holiday bazaar (Nov 21), and encouraged clearing storm drains. She thanked staff and shared that 125 fourth graders visited city hall. Key Outcomes - The consent calendar and all main agenda items except AB26-103 were approved unanimously. - AB26-103 (criminal justice tax) was tabled to the second council meeting in June 2027. - AB26-104 (bond refinance), AB26-105 (comprehensive plan amendments), and AB26-106 (pump station design contract) were approved on first and final reading. - FEMA will reimburse 75% of the $382,874 design cost for the 710 pump station restoration.

The Code Enforcement Board of Dunedin, Florida, met at 2:00 p.m. on November 3, 2026, at City Hall, 737 Louden Ave. The board approved the prior meeting minutes, heard two code enforcement cases against the owners of 1440 Wildwood Ct, postponed one old-business case, and set its next meeting. No members of the public offered citizen input, and the respondent property owners did not appear. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Approved the draft minutes of the Code Enforcement Board meeting of October 6, 2026, by unanimous roll-call vote. The motion was made by Jeremy Reynolds and seconded. Public Comments & Testimony - No citizen input was offered for non-agenda items. - No respondents appeared in person. Staff and witnesses were sworn in, and both cases proceeded on the testimony and evidence of Code Compliance Inspector Rachel Laurel. Old Business - Case 26-813 (City vs Realty Income Properties 13 LLC, 1804 Main Street) was postponed to the December 1, 2026 hearing. Discussion Items - Case 26-981 – City vs Robert E. Gibson Jr. and Pamela A. Gibson (1440 Wildwood Ct). Inspector Rachel Laurel presented records and photographs showing two violations: DCO Sec. 34-31 (excessive growth of weeds, grasses, or turf over 10 inches) and DCO Sec. 105-27.1.1.1(a)(4) (right-of-way standards requiring vegetation to be trimmed to the edge of sidewalks/streets and an 8-foot clearance above sidewalks). A notice of violation was posted and sent by certified mail on September 18, 2026, with a compliance date of September 28, 2026. The certified mail was returned on October 21, 2026 at 3:24 p.m. The notice of hearing was posted and sent on October 21, 2026, and delivered on October 23, 2026 at 4:27 p.m. Inspections showed the front yard was mowed by October 20, but the backyard remained overgrown on November 2. Inspector Laurel said Robert Gibson told her he lacked a lawn mower and could not afford to hire someone, could not attend for health reasons, and was arranging to have the backyard mowed; she also said he agreed with the recommended compliance timeframe. - Case 26-982 – City vs Robert E. Gibson Jr. and Pamela A. Gibson (1440 Wildwood Ct). Inspector Laurel testified to a violation of IPMC Sec. 302.7 (accessory structures) for a missing section and post of the rear fence. The notice of violation was posted and sent on September 18, 2026, with a compliance date of October 18, 2026. The certified mail was returned October 21, 2026 at 3:24 p.m., and the notice of hearing was delivered October 23, 2026 at 4:27 p.m. Reinspections on October 21 and November 2 showed the fence section still missing. The inspector said the owner could not afford the fence post until his Social Security check arrived on November 5 and planned to hire someone to repair the fence. When a board member asked about permits, Inspector Laurel said the IPMC section is the section used and that only a fence post needed replacing, so no permit was required. Key Outcomes - Case 26-981 (DCO Sec. 34-31): The board found the Gibsons in violation and ordered compliance by November 13, 2026 – mowing the back lawn and contacting the Code Compliance Office for inspection – or a fine of up to $250 per day per violation. The motion passed unanimously. - Case 26-981 (DCO Sec. 105-27.1.1.1(a)(4)): The board found the violation was not corrected by the September 28, 2026 compliance date, but that the property had come into compliance by November 2, 2026; no fines were assessed. As first-time violators, a similar violation within five years could result in an immediate fine of up to $500 per day. The motion passed unanimously. - Case 26-982 (IPMC Sec. 302.7): The board found the Gibsons in violation for the missing fence section and ordered compliance by December 3, 2026, or a fine of up to $250 per day. The motion passed unanimously. - The next regular Code Enforcement Board meeting was set for December 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The board adjourned at approximately 3:25 p.m.

At the November 3, 2026 regular meeting, the Smithtown Town Board unanimously approved two resolutions related to the fiscal year 2027 budget: advertising the public hearing on the preliminary budget and enacting Local Law 13-2026 to override the New York State tax cap. Due to an advertising error, the board also accepted public comments on the 2027 budget on the record, ahead of the formal public hearing scheduled for November 12, 2026. Resolutions Approved - The board voted unanimously to authorize the Town Clerk to advertise a public hearing on the Town of Smithtown Preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2027, to be held Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center, 420 Middle Country Road, Smithtown, NY. - The board voted unanimously to enact Local Law 13-2026, previously heard as Proposed Local Law 16-2026, entitled 'A Local Law to Override the Tax Cap Established in New York General Municipal Law Section 3-c for Fiscal Year 2027.' The agenda identified this as a SEQRA Type II action. Town Clerk's Announcement - Town Clerk stated that the required legal notice for the budget public hearing was not forwarded to the Smithtown News, the town's paper of record, due to an administrative error in the Town Clerk's office. Because the original hearing date had been published and shared on social media, the town did not want to postpone public comment. Anyone wishing to comment on the preliminary budget was allowed to speak tonight, and the comments will be part of the record. The formal public hearing remains scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Budget Presentation and Discussion Items - The Supervisor presented the 2027 preliminary budget as fiscally responsible and focused on preserving Smithtown's quality of life, essential services, and critical infrastructure. Spending will increase approximately 5.5%, driven primarily by unfunded state mandates, fixed obligations, and inflation. - The most significant increases cited were: $1.9 million for NICE health care insurance for employees (up 10.33%); $792,043 for required New York State retirement contributions (up 10.12%); $300,000 from state-enacted Tier 6 retirement changes; $1.87 million in full-time salaries, primarily under existing collective bargaining agreements; $235,000 in solid waste disposal; and $175,000 in waste-to-energy processing. - The total projected increase for the average assessed home was stated as approximately $117.65 per year, or 6.44%. Of that amount, $23.12 (1.4%) was attributed to a court-ordered LIPA tax shift; the remaining town-related increase was about $94, or roughly 5%. For a home assessed at $5,500, the town portion increase was about $94 annually, or $1.81 per week. The Supervisor said the town-controlled tax increase was cut almost in half compared with last year. - The Supervisor said Smithtown has secured $32 million in grants over three years, with another $18 million pending, to help offset taxpayer costs. - He argued that staying within the state's 2% tax cap would have limited the levy increase to $1.6 million, but the town was already about $3 million over the cap before the budget was built. The alternative, he said, would be significant service cuts, including eliminating 29 full-time positions, ending the summer concert series, eliminating town funding for the Mills Pond House, Smithtown Historical Society, Smithtown Theater, and Calderon Theater, and reducing leaf/brush collection, sidewalk maintenance, and emergency-response overtime. - The Supervisor defended maintaining healthy reserves rather than using them for recurring expenses, citing the town's triple-A bond rating and the need to cover emergencies. He cited $1.4 million in costs from a blizzard cleanup and $2.2 million from a September 25-27 Nor'easter that brought down 217 trees, noting FEMA reimbursement can take 18 to 24 months or longer. - He also reported that a hiring freeze and delayed replacements produced a $74,000 surplus. Public Comments & Testimony - Randy Weiner of 4 Asbury Drive, Smithtown: Opposed the proposed tax increase and criticized the presentation that taxes must rise or employees would be laid off. He said hardworking town employees were being used as 'hostages' to raise taxes, asked what other budget options were rejected, called the approach 'gross negligence,' and warned that voters would remember at election time. - Irwin Eisen of 17 Horseshoe Lane, Commack: Criticized the repeated narrative of state mandates, inflation, and tax increases. He asked for concrete solutions, including a zero-based budget, consolidation of departments such as waterway navigation, environmental protection, conservation advisory council, and forestry, and possible use of reserves. He said taxpayers deserve a different approach and called for a change in government mindset. - Lori White of 91 Cedar Road, Kings Park: Describing herself as a CPA with an MBA, she said the town's budget documents are insufficient and not transparent. She stated the town added three positions this year, raised debt by $57 million since 2019, and that principal and interest payments have more than doubled to almost $7 million annually. She also argued the board controls overtime, which feeds the retirement system, and called for problem-solving rather than unfunded-mandate explanations. - Robert Ansbach of 1135 St. John Road, Kings Park: Expressed support for continued investment in local sports fields and recreational facilities for youth. He described such spending as an investment in children and the community, not an expense, and said youth organizations need safe, suitable places to practice and play. Key Outcomes - The board unanimously approved advertising the November 12, 2026 public hearing on the 2027 preliminary budget. - The board unanimously enacted Local Law 13-2026, overriding the state tax cap for fiscal year 2027. - Public comments on the 2027 preliminary budget were accepted into the record at the November 3, 2026 meeting despite the advertising error. - The formal public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center. The Supervisor noted the budget must be voted on by November 20, 2026, and indicated the board vote would likely occur at the November 19 board meeting.

The committee met on November 3, 2026, at 18:56 UTC to discuss an update on a proposed long-term vacant commercial properties ordinance, hear council members' questions, approve minutes, and review scheduling and property matters. Discussion Items - Staff provided the requested update on the ordinance, which is intended to protect public safety, neighborhood quality, and future redevelopment opportunities by addressing long-term vacant commercial properties in designated heavily impacted corridors. The case example was 5200 Brainerd Road, the former Wendy's, and staff said storefront incentives may help address that property. - Staff summarized potential pros and cons of a vacancy tax or fee. Pros identified: encouraging owners to lease, sell, or renovate; discouraging prolonged vacancy; creating greater accountability; and generating revenue to support enforcement and neighborhood improvements. Potential cons: penalizing owners with legitimate reasons for vacancy, no guarantee a property will be redeveloped or occupied, possible administrative/enforcement costs, and a need to evaluate legal authority under Tennessee law. - Staff is preparing a citywide cost analysis of vacant properties, including code enforcement, fire/police attention, and homelessness services, and has compiled resources from other cities and articles provided by Councilwoman Hill. - City Attorney Phil answered council questions, saying a fee is likely more feasible than a tax and would need to be reasonably related to the costs of maintaining the program and benefiting the area. He cited Jackson, Tennessee's model: owners register vacant properties, indicate whether they are renovating, seeking a lease, or seeking a sale, and face a reassessed/increasing fee if no change occurs within a set period. - One council member suggested allowing property owners to sell long-vacant buildings to the city for workforce or affordable housing, including downtown multifamily reuse. Staff said the fee approach is meant to be supportive, not punitive, and could connect owners with economic development resources and incentives. - Another council member said a fee is a lesser alternative to condemnation, while staff noted the fee would not remove maintenance obligations and could support getting properties into better shape. Staff cited three empty restaurants on Brainerd Road and noted the Wendy's building sat idle for about five years and is now slated for demolition. - A council member asked about a citywide vacant-property database; staff said the information can be accessed through Nicole Heyman and added to the committee folder. - Council members discussed using fee revenue for a program similar to River City's scenic storefronts, possibly targeted to specific districts or corridors rather than citywide. Rossville Boulevard was mentioned as an area being reinvested where the policy might need careful application, and the IDB or HUB might help with grants. - One council member asked about lots used as de facto junkyards with rotting cars and suggested folding that issue into the ordinance; another asked whether any administration program currently addresses vacant properties. Staff indicated support and referenced Nicole Heyman's work on a state strategy. - A council member proposed a pilot program along the Brainerd/Midtown corridor for 18 months with reassessment; staff expressed interest in a boundary-based pilot. - A council member noted that some vacancies stem from financing pro formas from low-interest-rate real estate deals and low carrying costs, and urged a robust program with meaningful grants and escalating fees. The member noted Jackson's fee starts around $400 for the first year and that New Mexico and California start higher. Key Outcomes - No ordinance was adopted. Staff will continue legal review, cost analysis, data compilation, and ordinance development, with a future update expected at the next Land Use, Zoning and Housing Committee meeting. - Committee minutes were approved on a motion and stood as published. - The chair announced a lunch-and-learn at the wastewater treatment center the following week, with updates on a Class A power project. The November 17 strategic planning meeting will likely be canceled if no agenda items are submitted; December strategic planning will include a discussion on homeless housing and possibly council building safety improvements. - In response to a question about the old Sports Authority property, the city attorney said it was not yet fully wound down: the temporary use agreement with River City was extended, the structure is mostly demolished, a transfer could occur if River City pays the $200 purchase/repurchase price, and the annual temporary use agreement date would be provided. A council member noted that appointments are still needed for two open positions on the board associated with the matter, while the attorney advised leaving the current arrangement in place. - The committee was reminded of the attorney-client session after recess and adjourned to the 3:30 meeting.