The Public Meeting Index

The Jersey City Planning Board met in person on September 10, 2026. The raw transcript's opening recitation says "Tuesday, September 8, 2026," but the meeting date supplied for this summary is September 10, 2026. The meeting opened at 5:35 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, Open Public Meetings Act notice, roll call, and a reminder that new applications would be cut off at 9:30 p.m. The Board approved a Culver Avenue vesting extension, recommended a Hudson County Plaza redevelopment study area to the municipal council, approved a Kennedy Boulevard mixed-use site plan, approved three related 49 Fisk Street applications, approved the 248 Erie Street final site plan, and carried the 292 Van Horn Street application to September 29, 2026. Discussion Items Culver Avenue One-Year Extension – P2026-0104 - Attorney Rebecca Mariello, for Culver Holdings LP, requested a final one-year extension of approvals for 212-230 Culver Avenue. The project, originally approved in June 2022, is an eight-story building with retail, 184 parking spaces, and 365 residential units in the Culver Route 440 Redevelopment Plan. - Prior extensions had carried the vesting period to June 2026; the requested extension would carry it to June 14, 2027. The applicant closed on the property in December 2025 and filed for a building permit in March 2026, which was still under review. - Planning staff recommended approval subject to the original approval's conditions. The applicant agreed to those conditions. The Board voted unanimously to approve. Hudson County Plaza Area-in-Need-of-Redevelopment Study – KCB2026-0134 - Attorney Bill Matsakutis represented the Hudson County Improvement Authority. Planner Jeffrey Wenger presented the redevelopment study for the Hudson County Plaza complex on Cornelison Avenue, a former Block Drug property used by about 1,000 county employees and surrounded by parking lots. The county's stated goal is to develop permanent affordable housing on county-owned land. - The study area was divided into five sites. Findings relied primarily on statutory criteria C, with additional findings under criteria B, D, and E, covering abandoned industrial uses, county-owned or long-vacant land, deficient access, and underutilization. Two non-qualifying portions were included as necessary for effective redevelopment. - Planning staff deferred to the professional planning testimony and recommended approval. The Board voted unanimously to recommend to the municipal council that the Hudson County Plaza study area be determined an area in need of redevelopment as a non-condemnation redevelopment area. 1721 Kennedy Boulevard – P2025-0253 - Attorney Benjamin Wine, for YM Kennedy LLC, sought preliminary and final major site plan approval with variances for a new five-story, 17-unit mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space at 1721-1723 Kennedy Boulevard. The site is currently a vacant surface parking lot in the RC2 zoning district. - The project includes two affordable units, the two largest units in the building, totaling just over the 10% affordable-housing requirement. The county previously approved the application, including the closure of an existing curb cut on county-owned Kennedy Boulevard. - Variances requested were: a five-foot rear yard setback where 8.9 feet is required on the ground floor and 17.9 feet on upper floors; 90% building coverage where 85% is required, while reducing overall lot coverage from 100% to a compliant 90%; and relief for a 44-square-foot portion of the ground-floor affordable unit encroaching within 25 feet of the right-of-way. - During deliberation, the Board requested replacement of proposed vinyl siding with Hardie/cement-board material and installation of a garbage chute. The applicant agreed to both conditions. Planning staff recommended approval. The vote was 6 in favor, 0 opposed, with 1 abstention. 49 Fisk Street Applications – Subdivision P2026-0019, Phase One Amendment P2025-0223, and Phase Two Site Plan P2024-0186 - Attorney Donald Pepe presented three related applications as one cohesive development. Phase one, a six-story, 337-unit building, was previously approved and is fully leased. The applications were: a subdivision creating the Mallory Avenue extension right-of-way, an amendment to the phase one approval, and preliminary and final major site plan approval for phase two. - Phase two is a proposed six-story, 99-unit building with 48 studios, 41 one-bedrooms, and 10 two-bedrooms. Zoning requires 45 parking spaces; 41 spaces would be provided in phase two, with four spaces shared from phase one under the redevelopment plan's parking-sharing provision. The architect described a lift-and-slide automated parking system, 50 bicycle spaces, and EV-ready spaces. - Deviations included phase two lot width of 86 feet where 100 feet is required, reduced sidewalk widths along the new Mallory Avenue right-of-way, setback relief measured from the corner-lot rear point, rooftop appurtenance relief, and a second on-street loading zone on the Fisk Street frontage. - Planning staff recommended approval with conditions, including a bond for right-of-way construction, dedication of the right-of-way to the city, and an easement or recorded agreement making the four shared phase-one parking spaces permanently available to phase two. The loading zones require city council approval; the applicant agreed that if the second loading zone is not approved, the project would proceed with the single permitted loading zone. - The Board approved each of the three applications separately, each by a unanimous vote, with conditions. 248 Erie Street Final Site Plan – P2025-0235 - Attorney Tom Lean, for 248 Erie Owner LLC, presented the final major site plan for 248 Erie Street and 209-215 15th Street. Preliminary approval was granted in 2024. The project is a 16-story mixed-use building approximately 174.5 feet tall with 264 residential units, 150 hotel rooms, 50 parking spaces, retail, and amenities. Forty residential units, or 15%, are affordable. - The existing Salvation Army building facade on Erie and 14th Streets is being preserved and incorporated into the new structure. Final plans increased the retail space from 970 square feet to 3,243 square feet and maintained a green area ratio of 0.27 against the required 0.25. - The architect read into the record prior granted deviations, clarified previously unspecified dimensions, and presented new or clarified requests, including upper-floor front yard setback relief along 14th Street, residential signage totaling 29.78 square feet where 20 square feet is permitted, rooftop appurtenance coverage of 25.9% where 20% is permitted, and an 18-foot-tall rooftop sports-court enclosure set back 10 feet 1 inch where roughly 19 feet 6 inches would be required. - Board questions addressed bicycle access through the garage, an accessible path to retail, trash chutes and compactors, and street trees. The project proposes 10 street trees, with a payment in lieu for four trees that cannot be placed along 14th Street. - The applicant agreed to staff conditions, including timing trash pickup to minimize time on the curb. Planning staff recommended approval. The Board voted unanimously to approve with conditions. 292 Van Horn Street – P2025-0138 - Attorney Stephen Joseph presented a preliminary and final major site plan with one C variance for a four-story, six-unit dwelling at 292 Van Horn Street in the Lafayette Park Redevelopment Plan. The building would have three rear parking spaces and complies with permitted height and density without using available density bonuses. - The requested variance was for landscaping: the redevelopment plan requires 50% of the area not covered by a building to be landscaped, while the applicant proposed about 12.2%, or roughly 108 square feet of the approximately 442.1 square feet required. The deficit was attributed to the required rear parking, the width of a driveway easement, and the existing alleyway pattern in the neighborhood. - Planning testimony stated the project exceeds green area ratio and stormwater requirements and that the driveway easement creates a hardship. The Board pressed the applicant to increase green roof area beyond the proposed 640 square feet, consider permeable parking surfaces, and explore design changes. - Because the 9:30 p.m. cutoff had passed, the Board carried the application to the September 29, 2026 meeting, to be placed at the top of the agenda with testimony to continue. The applicant was asked to return with additional landscape mitigation options. Public Comments & Testimony - For the 49 Fisk Street applications, Joseph Gallucci, an owner of property at 40 Carmen Place, expressed concern that the new Mallory Avenue extension would eventually be extended through his property, affecting his family-owned artist building and its future sale or development. Board members responded that the current application does not require or extend Mallory Avenue through his property, and that any future extension would depend on redevelopment of his property. - No members of the public commented on the Culver Avenue extension, the Hudson County Plaza study, the Kennedy Boulevard application, the 248 Erie Street application, or the 292 Van Horn Street application. Resolutions - The Board voted unanimously to memorialize resolutions for multiple previously decided applications, including cases P2026-0125, P2026-0018, P2025-0214, P2025-0127, P2025-0137, P2025-0032, and P2026-0036. Key Outcomes - Approved P2026-0104, the Culver Avenue one-year extension, unanimously with original conditions. - Recommended the Hudson County Plaza study area to the municipal council as an area in need of redevelopment on a non-condemnation basis, unanimously. - Approved the 1721 Kennedy Boulevard preliminary and final major site plan with conditions, including non-vinyl siding and a garbage chute, by a 6-0-1 vote. - Approved all three 49 Fisk Street applications — subdivision, phase one amendment, and phase two site plan — each unanimously with conditions. - Approved the 248 Erie Street final major site plan unanimously with conditions. - Carried the 292 Van Horn Street application to September 29, 2026, with applicant homework on landscape and green-roof improvements. - Memorialized all listed resolutions unanimously. - Adjourned without executive session.

The Board of Public Works met on September 10, 2026 at approximately 1:40 PM to consider a range of agenda items including approval of minutes, a major IT services contract, eight Forward Together Go Grant agreements, engineering contracts, right-of-way permits, METS security and fare system updates, and nine event street closure requests. All items were approved unanimously. Consent Calendar (Routine Approvals) - Approved the September 3, 2026 BPW minutes. - Approved eight Forward Together Go Grant agreements (Finance Ordinance F-2026-10) totaling $106,200: University of Evansville ($10,000 for Rhythm & Rise Promise Neighborhood youth dance company after-school wellness initiative); Mother's Holdin It Down, Inc. ($15,000 for inner-city free basketball league for K-12th grade); Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana ($15,200 for City Hall learning center at Discovery Center); Holly's House ($16,000 for BraveBoundaries.org website expansion and digital safety campaign); Dream Center Evansville ($20,000 for Love Your Neighborhood revitalization in Jacobsville); Evansville African American Museum, Inc. ($10,000 for public outdoor display in Baptistown); Vanderburgh County CASA ($10,000 for Kids Day program providing enrichment vouchers). - Approved agreement with E & B Paving, LLC for 2026 Mill and Overlay Phase III (Project 26-017) at $655,099.63 for milling and overlaying two roads, completion by December 1, 2026. - Approved agreement with SJCA, Inc. for topographical survey for Idlewild Drive drainage improvement at $29,000. - Approved Right-of-Way Permit Applications (Nos. 3165-3172, 3174-3187, 3189) with conditions; applications 3173 and 3188 were excepted as the proposed work is outside city limits. - Approved METS request to advertise/seek bids for security at the METS terminal (replacing current off-duty police contract). - Approved nine event street closure requests (all approved by Board of Public Safety on 9/9/2026): Harrison Marching Band Invitational (Sept 26, 6 AM-6 PM, northbound S. Cullen Ave and Schoolside Drive); Lincolnshire Front Porch Festival (Oct 4, 1-7 PM, multiple streets); GLNA Block Party (Oct 3, 5-10 PM, Willow Road, Bayard Park, Lodge); Drumstick Dash (Nov 7, 8-9:30 AM, Washington Square Mall area); Jacobsville Trunk or Treat (Oct 30, 3-9 PM, N. Main Street); Hadi Shrine Fall Ceremonial Parade (Nov 14, 3-5 PM, downtown route); Amvets Car Show (Sept 26, 10 AM-5 PM, Broadway); Montessori Academy/EVPL Dia de los Muertos (Nov 7, 12 AM-6 PM, 2000 W. Franklin Street parking spots only); and Signature School Main Street Attractions (Oct 2, 2-10:30 PM, 600 block of Main Street). - Approved bills and payroll. Discussion Items - IT Services Contract (RFP-948-03-2026): The Board approved a five-year managed service provider contract with Sondhi Solutions, LLC d/b/a EXOS for $20,644,666.84. Chief Information Officer Vernon Lutz reported the RFP process was thorough and the contract will result in approximately $5 million in annualized savings for city and county government. - METS Fare Collection System Upgrade: The Board approved an agreement with Genfare, LLC for $51,774.44 to update fare collection software and computer hardware. METS Director Jonathan Siebeking explained the current system runs on Windows 10, which is being phased out, necessitating the upgrade for security. Key Outcomes - All agenda items were approved by unanimous voice votes. - No public comment or other board business was presented. - The meeting adjourned. Note: The agenda initially listed the grant amount for Item A (University of Evansville) as $500,000, but the correct amount is $10,000 as clarified during the meeting.

The Community & Economic Development Committee met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 1:30 PM in City Hall, Room 301-B. The meeting was chaired by Ald. Russell W. Stamper, II, with Vice-Chair Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, Ald. DiAndre Jackson, and Ald. Sharlen Moore present. Ald. Mark Chambers, Jr. was excused. The committee considered 21 agenda items, including appointments, reappointments, youth council nominations, and resolutions creating new Business Improvement District (BID) No. 57 and Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) No. 13. All votes were unanimous (4-0) with Chambers excused. The meeting adjourned at 2:39 PM. Appointments & Reappointments (Consent) - Maritza Ugarte (Item 1) was appointed to the Emerging Youth Achievement Advisory Council by the Mayor. She expressed passion for youth development and her history with the Milwaukee Christian Center. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Jackson) - Dr. Monique Liston (Item 2) was appointed to the Emerging Youth Achievement Advisory Council by the Common Council President. She highlighted her work on a subcommittee focused on data and evaluation and research on protecting vulnerable populations. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Moore) - Dr. Richard Lagerman (Item 3) to BID 13 was held to the call of the chair as the appointee was not present. - Dean Rein (Item 4) was reappointed to BID 13. He owns Lisa's Pizza on Oakland Avenue and previously hosted the Oak and Love Pickup for street trash management. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Dimitrijevic) - Safiyah Osman (Item 5) was appointed to the Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award Selection Committee. Ald. Moore spoke on her behalf, noting Osman's role as vice chair of the youth council and past participation in a trip to Washington D.C. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Moore) - Steve Mech (Item 6) was reappointed to BID 2, with perfect attendance noted. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Moore) - John Hennessy (Item 7) was reappointed to BID 5, noted for good attendance. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Jackson) - Lisa Kurszewski (Item 8) was reappointed to BID 5, noting her 10-year tenure on the board. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Dimitrijevic) - Melissa Lukic (Item 9) was reappointed to BID 5. She discussed the $43 million renovation at the Hilton Milwaukee where she serves as Director of Rooms. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Dimitrijevic) - Tracey Heber (Item 10) was reappointed to BID 26, entering her 10th year and having served as chair for the last three years. (Recommended for confirmation, moved by Ald. Jackson) - Larry Stern (Item 11) was held to the call of the chair as the appointee was not present. Youth Council Nominations Five youth council nominations were approved together (Items 12-16): - Kayle Phillps (6th District): Senior at Reagan High School, politically active, aims to attend Morgan State University. - Jaslene Tovar (8th District): Senior at Divine Savior Holy Angels, interested in family law and experienced in mock trial. - Santiago Perez (13th District): Sophomore at Bradley Tech High School, involved with Raices organization at UMOS focusing on immigration rights. - Alan Mendoza (4th District): Sophomore at Bradley Tech High School, speaks Turkish, passionate about pollution and drug abatement. - Chaim Weiss (At-Large): Senior interested in creative writing and youth mental health advocacy. All nominations were recommended for confirmation (moved by Ald. Moore). Resolutions Item 17: Viva Nuestra Herencia Official City Event A substitute resolution declaring Viva Nuestra Herencia an official city event and authorizing acceptance and expenditure of contributions. Ald. Perez noted the event celebrates commercial vibrancy on 16th Street and is scheduled for Sunday, September 20th, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. (Recommended for adoption, moved by Ald. Dimitrijevic) Item 18: Business Improvement District No. 57 (Lincoln Village) A substitute resolution creating BID 57 in the 8th and 12th Aldermanic Districts. Department of City Development (DCD) staff Matt Rejec and Maribel Franco from the Lincoln Village Association explained the BID will focus on safety, lighting, litter, graffiti, and reducing vacancies. Business owners and residents (Don Rambadt, Jenny Bohr, Colleen Cheney) spoke in favor, emphasizing the need for a formal structure beyond volunteer efforts. Ald. Perez noted minor tweaks may be needed for property owners with multiple parcels. The assessment is $2 per thousand dollars of property value, with a minimum of $300 and maximum of $1,200 per property, generating a projected budget of $57,424. (Recommended for adoption, moved by Ald. Moore) Item 19: Neighborhood Improvement District No. 13 (Metcalfe Park) A substitute resolution creating NID 13 in the 15th Aldermanic District. DCD's Sally Svetic explained the difference from BIDs: NIDs can assess residential properties not tax-exempt. Residents Melody McCurtis, Danell Cross, and Karen Dennison detailed the assessment plan: approximately $50 per occupied household, $100 for vacant residential properties to encourage occupancy; multi-unit and commercial spaces capped at $500 for occupied and $1,000 for vacant, with a projected annual pool of $40,000 to $90,000 for beautification and blight prevention. The board will consist of five to nine members who must own or occupy property, serving one-year terms. Outreach included weekly meetings and door-knocking. (Recommended for adoption, moved by Ald. Moore) Item 20: Reallocation of MKE Community Excellence Fund A substitute resolution reallocating up to $3,666 from Mi Milwaukee to Hispanic Heritage Month. Ald. Zamarripa stated the funds will support events such as the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the Deer District. (Recommended for adoption, moved by Ald. Dimitrijevic) Communication Held Item 21: 2025 Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative Accomplishments A communication from DCD was held to the call of the chair (moved by Ald. Dimitrijevic). Key Outcomes - All appointments, reappointments, and youth council nominations were recommended for confirmation or held as noted. - Resolution declaring Viva Nuestra Herencia an official city event was recommended for adoption. - Resolution creating BID No. 57 (Lincoln Village) was recommended for adoption. - Resolution creating NID No. 13 (Metcalfe Park) was recommended for adoption. - Resolution reallocating $3,666 to Hispanic Heritage Month was recommended for adoption. - Communication on Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative was held to call of the chair. All votes were unanimous (4-0) with Ald. Chambers excused.

The meeting on September 10, 2026 featured a brief discussion on automated vehicle technology. Only a short transcript excerpt is available, with no agenda or minutes provided. Discussion Items - A speaker, likely a city or planning official, addressed the status of self-automated vehicles in Kentucky. They noted that the state's planning department, particularly the Frankfort Central Office, is at the forefront of this issue nationally. The speaker mentioned that while some states are more active, Kentucky has enabling legislation for freight platooning of automated trucks. However, automated vehicle deployment has not yet been observed in the state. The discussion appeared to be an informal update rather than a formal proposal or decision. Key Outcomes - No votes, decisions, or formal actions were taken in the available transcript.

A brief business session was held on September 10, 2026, at 7:15 PM. The meeting began with discussion of the approval of minutes from the September 3, 2026 business session. The audit report and pay equity study were deferred to the next business session. The citizen satisfaction survey report was introduced, but technical audio issues interrupted the proceedings and no substantive decisions or votes were recorded. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes for the September 3, 2026 business session was listed as the first item. No motion or vote outcome is reflected in the transcript. Discussion Items - The audit report and pay equity study were held for discussion at the next business session. - The citizen satisfaction survey report was introduced briefly before technical audio difficulties (loud feedback, remote connection issues) prevented further discussion. Key Outcomes - No formal decisions or votes were recorded during this meeting. The only action identified was the deferral of the audit report and pay equity study to a future session.

Chaired by Commissioner Ladina Bolton (Super District 7), with Commissioners Nicole Masaya and Marita Davis Johnson, the committee met on September 10, 2026, at 7:15 PM. The agenda covered approval of minutes, three appointments to the Region III Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Council, several contracts (claims management, undercover vehicles, fire rescue equipment), a resolution to rename a police precinct, and a proposed ordinance to regulate pet shop sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits. Due to time constraints, two scheduled updates from police and fire departments were held over. Consent Calendar - Item 2026-1286 – Minutes from August 18, 2026. Approved unanimously without discussion. Discussion Items - EMS Advisory Council Appointments (Items 2026-1150, 1151, 1152) – The committee interviewed three candidates for posts on the Region III EMS Council. - Interim Deputy Fire Chief Winfred O. Smith (Post 4): Highlighted 17 years of experience with DeKalb Fire Rescue, including data analysis and current role overseeing EMS operations. Answered questions on evaluating emergency response zones, addressing hospital turnover delays and workforce shortages, and balancing county priorities with regional collaboration. - Dr. Michael Carr (Reappointment, Post 3): Emergency physician at Emory University, subspecialty in EMS and disaster medicine. Emphasized the “silver glacier” aging population, hospital capacity challenges, and the need for preventive care through mobile integrated health programs. - Samuel Sharter (Post 2): Assistant vice president at Emory’s crisis management office, served on the council since 2007 (currently vice chair). Background as former ER director and EMT. Discussed workforce competition, system overload, and the role of telemedicine and preventive care. - All three candidates received unanimous approval (see Key Outcomes). - Item 2026-1209 – Claims Management Contract – Request to ratify and extend a contract with Alternative Claims Management LLC (ACM) through December 2029, with an amount not to exceed $30,000 for ancillary services. The county’s Risk Manager reported that DeKalb experiences about 600 vehicle accidents per year, with 50% being the county’s fault. Prior to ACM, the county’s collection rate was about 75 cents on the dollar; ACM has achieved a 95% collection rate. In year one, ACM recovered over $1.3 million, and average annual recoveries are now about $600,000 (Year-to-date: $379,000). Commissioners asked about collection rates and fees; it was clarified that ACM receives 50% of amounts collected for diminished value and loss of use, but 0% on property damage. Approved unanimously. - Item 2026-1154 – Undercover Vehicle Rental – Change order to extend a rental agreement with Budget Car and Truck Rental through November 2027, increasing funds to $76,641.60, for covert operations vehicles. Grant-funded. Approved unanimously. - Item 2026-1049 – Fire Rescue Equipment Ratification – Ratification of a purchase order for multi-user hardline communication system, handheld gas detector, and portable air distribution box from Safeware Inc. Amount not to exceed $114,566.45 (substitute). The purchase was made using FIFA grant funds ($1.4 million) with a short expenditure deadline. Approved unanimously. - Item 2026-1306 – Rename East Precinct for Chief Eddie Moody – Resolution to rename the DeKalb County Police Department East Precinct in honor of Chief Eddie Moody, the department’s first African American chief, who also created the Junior Police Academy and the Crime Analysis Unit. Commissioner Davis Johnson sponsored the item. Chief Mirtha (current police chief) spoke in support, noting Moody’s mentorship. Commissioner Bolton highlighted that the precinct building was originally a segregated school that Moody attended. Unanimously approved. - Item 2026-0728 – Pet Shop Ordinance (Deferred) – Proposed ordinance to prohibit retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops, while allowing adoption events with shelters/rescues. Ariel Lefkovith (Humane World for Animals) presented, noting that no pet shops currently operate in DeKalb County, and 17 Georgia localities have similar laws. She cited risks of puppy mills, predatory financing, and consumer protection. Commissioners asked about enforcement (currently no county inspections – state handles pet shops) and requested two-week deferral to refine definitions (e.g., “gestating canine,” record-keeping for non-selling establishments). Deferred unanimously. Key Outcomes - Appointments approved (all unanimous): - Interim Deputy Fire Chief Winfred O. Smith (Post 4, Region III EMS Council) – Item 2026-1150 - Dr. Michael Carr (Reappointment, Post 3) – Item 2026-1151 - Samuel Sharter (Post 2) – Item 2026-1152 - Claims management contract (Item 2026-1209) – Approved. - Undercover vehicle rental extension (Item 2026-1154) – Approved. - Fire rescue equipment ratification (Item 2026-1049, substitute amount) – Approved. - Resolution to rename East Precinct after Chief Eddie Moody (Item 2026-1306) – Approved. - Pet shop ordinance (Item 2026-0728) – Deferred two weeks for revisions. - Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 PM. Two agenda items (police and fire updates) were held over due to time.

The Education and Human Services Standing Committee of the Richmond City Council met on September 10, 2026, at 7:15 PM under the leadership of Vice Chair Jones (acting Chair). All members were present except Ms. Lynch, establishing a quorum. The meeting covered updates on the restructuring of the non-departmental grant process (now the Richmond Thrives grant program), a facilities modernization plan from Richmond Public Schools, approval of a grant ordinance for the juvenile detention center, and various announcements from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the July 9, 2026 Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting as presented, with no amendments or corrections. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public addressed the committee regarding items not on the agenda. The public comment period was opened and closed with no speakers. Discussion Items - Richmond Thrives Grant Program Update: Dominic Merritt, Senior Policy Advisor with the Office of the DCO for Human Services, presented an update on the new grant-making process. The program, formerly the non-departmental grant process, is now managed by three outside grantmakers covering four priority areas: arts and culture, children and families, economic mobility, and health. Merritt noted that the transition aimed to increase accountability, accessibility, and community impact. Key details included: a 10% administrative overhead across all priority areas (below the 15% cap), application windows closing within two weeks of the kickoff, and a turnaround time of three to four months from application to fund disbursement (versus roughly 10 months in the previous system). Councilmember Breton expressed strong support for the process, noting improvements in rigor and accessibility. He asked about administrative costs and reporting. Merritt confirmed that no more than 15% goes to admin (actual 10%) and that the city will provide detailed summaries to council. Vice Chair Jones inquired about the role of organizations that previously received non-departmental funding and also applied for the new grants; Merritt clarified that grantmakers cannot apply to themselves and that the city hopes to fund the best service providers, with adjustments to priority areas possible after first-year results. Jones also suggested reinstating a training program for nonprofits on grant writing and capacity building, which Merritt acknowledged as valuable. - Richmond Public Schools Facilities Modernization Plan: Patrick Harrell, Chief Operating Officer for Richmond Public Schools, joined by Board Chair Fernandez, presented the community engagement process for prioritizing school facility upgrades. Harrell outlined the current facilities plan (nearing completion with Richmond High School for the Arts, Maury Street Campus, and Woodville Elementary remaining), and the need for a new five-to-ten-year plan. Key statistics: RPS average building age is 62 years; 36% of buildings are over 50 years old; 20% are over 100 years old. An independent assessment identified $680 million in deferred maintenance needs over 20 years, while annual capital funding is approximately $2.5 million (with a recent one-time boost of $10 million from council). Community input sessions are being held in each district; two had occurred by the meeting date, with seven more scheduled. The activity involves ranking 26 schools by priority based on building condition, enrollment trends, and student needs. Both Harrell and Vice Chair Jones noted that the sessions were powerful in shifting participants from advocating for their own schools to recognizing citywide needs. Jones and Breton praised the process and committed to attending upcoming sessions. - Ordinance 2026-191: Acceptance of Grant Funds for Juvenile Detention Center: Greg Hopkins (Director of Justice Services) presented the ordinance authorizing acceptance of $137,038 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the juvenile detention center. The funds are one-time and will be used to transform the facility into a trauma-informed environment, including furniture, painting, acoustic padding, and youth-friendly visitation spaces. The ordinance received no public opposition or support. Councilmember Breton questioned the one-time nature of the expenditures; Hopkins confirmed they are all one-time investments (e.g., furniture, painting, equipment). Vice Chair Jones expressed support for humanizing the facility. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. - DCAO Updates: Dr. Popovich, DCAO for Human Services, provided three updates. First, she introduced Lamont Barnes as the new Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (succeeding Greg Hopkins). Second, she highlighted September as Library Card Month and noted a 35% increase in summer reading participation over four years through the summer internship program. Third, she announced the launch of the Central VA Resource Navigator website (centralvaresourcenavigator.org), a comprehensive, vetted directory of over 130 behavioral health and substance use resources, developed in partnership with Henrico County and the region. The website is available 24/7 and is especially timely for National Recovery Month. Key Outcomes - Approved the minutes of the July 9, 2026 EHS committee meeting. - Recommended approval of Ordinance 2026-191 (accepting $137,038 for juvenile detention center improvements) by a unanimous voice vote (Vice Chair Jones and Councilmember Breton voting aye). - Received updates on the Richmond Thrives grant program, RPS facilities planning, and DCAO activities with no formal votes required. - Next meeting scheduled for October 8, 2026, with anticipated agenda items including an update on early childhood enrollment from the Office of Children and Families and an update on homeless services strategic planning. - Vice Chair Jones formally introduced her new liaison, Catherine Brown, who will be available for 9th district needs.

The Ocean City Board of Port Wardens met Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland. The Board reviewed two minor and six major marine construction cases, approved the minutes of the August 13, 2026 meeting, and acted on the docketed applications. Staff recommendations covered cases PW 26-038 through PW 26-050 as advertised and posted. Consent Calendar - Minutes: The Board approved the minutes from the August 13, 2026 meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - During the 805 Penguin Drive case, a speaker raised setback issues and said letters had been sent to Baltimore and that a stop order had been discussed. Board members responded that the new construction itself was not in the setback and that the Board was only dealing with the new construction portion. The speaker also described having to shrink a planned pier from six feet to five feet, or to three feet if two boat slips were kept, and referenced a person named Jackie not wanting “toys” around. Discussion Items - Minor Case PW 26-044 (321 White Heron Court): Staff read a request to install 132 linear feet of replacement vinyl bulkhead, not exceeding 18 inches channelward, with owner Phillip Creek and applicant Stacey Hart & Associates. Conditions included Town of Ocean City open-water bulkhead standard 8.0, an 18-inch channelward limit, engineered plans for bulkheads exceeding 100 feet in length, MDE approval at building permit application, and completion of all marine construction within 18 months of the Board decision. - Minor Case PW 26-045 (10607 Point Lookout Road): Staff read a request to repair, by vinyl replacement 18 inches channelward, about 60 linear feet of deteriorated timber batter-pile bulkhead with new batter-pile bulkhead, owner Mark Souders. Conditions included Town of Ocean City open-water standard 8.0, an 18-inch channelward limit, MDE approval at building permit application, and completion within 18 months. - Major Case PW 26-038 (227 N. Heron Drive): Staff read a request to install 60 feet of replacement vinyl bulkheading, construct a new 6-foot by 19-foot dock, drive two mooring piles, and install one boatlift, with all work extending 13.5 feet channelward; owner Mary Ring. The transcript reads “227 North Herring Drive” in one place, while the agenda lists 227 N. Heron Drive. Conditions included Town of Ocean City canal standard 6.1, an 18-inch channelward limit, five-foot setbacks and/or letters of no objection including any HOA, MDE approval, and completion within 18 months. - Major Case PW 26-046 (143 Pine Tree Road): Staff read a request to install 40 feet of replacement vinyl bulkhead including six batter piles, plus a boatlift, owner Brian Horn. Conditions included Town of Ocean City canal standard 6.1, an 18-inch channelward limit, a boatlift installed per manufacturer’s specifications not exceeding 31.5 feet channelward, MDE approval, and completion within 18 months. - Major Case PW 26-047 (603 Harbour Drive): Staff read a request to install 42 feet of new vinyl bulkhead 18 inches channelward, owner Carol Hunter. Conditions stated that all existing marine structures rebuilt or reinstalled must meet Town marine construction standards and that the new bulkhead would bring maximum channelward extension to 38 feet. Five-foot setbacks and/or letters of no objection, MDE approval, and completion within 18 months were required. - Major Case PW 26-048 (1556 Teal Drive): Staff read a request to relocate an existing boatlift by removing two pilings, redriving them, and installing two new additional pilings, with a maximum channelward extension of 38 feet, owner Ty Williams. Conditions required pilings reinstalled under Town of Ocean City Marine Standards not exceeding 38 feet, MDE approval, and completion within 18 months. - Major Case PW 26-049 (778 94th Street, Unit 201, Slip 18): Staff read a request to install one boatlift on existing pilings with a maximum channelward extension of 28 feet, owner Christopher Shelton. Conditions included MDE approval and completion within 18 months. - Major Case PW 26-050 (805 Penguin Drive): Staff read a request to install a 6-foot by 44-foot perpendicular pier, owner Jacqueline DeGroft, applicant Stacey Hart & Associates. Discussion focused on setback concerns, existing pilings, and whether the Board could consider only new construction. The Board approved the project as part of the staff recommendation as advertised and posted. Key Outcomes - The Board approved the August 13, 2026 meeting minutes. - The Board approved all eight docketed applications: PW 26-044, PW 26-045, PW 26-038, PW 26-046, PW 26-047, PW 26-048, PW 26-049, and PW 26-050, subject to the conditions read into the record. Standard conditions included MDE approval at the time of building permit application and completion of all marine construction within 18 months of the Board’s decision. - The transcript records a voice vote call of “all in favor” near the end; no numerical tally was recorded.

The Toledo City Plan Commission held a formal meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Council Chambers at One Government Center. The meeting addressed multiple zone changes, a text amendment, and three local landmark designation requests. Several cases were deferred or withdrawn, and landmark designations for two Catholic churches generated significant public comment and debate. Consent Calendar (Procedural Actions) - Z26-0015 – Zone change at 2517 Fulton Street: The applicant requested and was granted a 60-day deferral to the November agenda, carried unanimously. - V-325-26 – Alley vacation north of Western Avenue: Withdrawn by the applicant. - SUP26-0019 – Special use permit for a daycare center at 662 Phillips Avenue: Postponed for 30 days. Discussion Items & Public Comments Z26-0016 – Zone Change for Toledo Zoo Parking Lot (866 Bartley Place) - Staff recommended approval, citing compatibility with existing land uses and nearby zoning. The applicant (Nathan Decker, 2700 Broadway) stated the change would bring a newly developed parking lot into the zoo's institutional campus master plan. One neighbor had general questions but no objection; a neighborhood meeting also drew no objections. The commission unanimously approved the zone change. M-5-26 – Text Amendment for Industrial Site Plan Review Threshold - The Plan Commission acted as applicant. Staff proposed exempting industrial site expansions disturbing less than 2,500 square feet from minor site plan review, replacing it with a certificate of zoning compliance. The amendment includes a clause allowing the planning director to require review when appropriate. No public correspondence was received, and the commission unanimously approved. The case goes to City Council on October 21, 2026. M-15-26 – Local Landmark Designation: Viking Lodge (1623–1627 Broadway) - The applicant (Julie Apt, 8 North St. Clair) requested designation for the building, built in 1916 and formerly a lodge. The owner (Mosaic Ministries) seeks historic tax credits for redevelopment into an early childhood education center and food pantry. One public speaker (John Doty) supported the designation in memory of his wife. No other correspondence was received. The commission unanimously approved, sending the case to City Council on October 21. M-16-26 – Local Landmark Designation: Sacred Heart Catholic Church (509 Oswald Street) - This case was initiated by City Council. Staff (Bill Harbert) presented the historic and architectural significance (German Gothic Romanesque, limestone construction, built 1900). The Diocese of Toledo, owner of the property, opposed the designation. Attorney Tom Antonini read a statement arguing the church had not been consulted, that the process interfered with religious property decisions under canon law and the First Amendment, and that the diocese would pursue legal remedies if the designation proceeded. The diocese stated Sacred Heart was in poor condition (basement issues) and that they had not requested this action. Public testimony was heavily in favor of preservation: 18 letters of support, 3 in opposition, and a 14-page petition with 100 signatures were received. Speakers included residents, a community organizer (Gary Linhart of One Voice for East Toledo), and a former parishioner (CJ Estelle, via letter) who described efforts to purchase the church and secure redevelopment funding. A licensed contractor and longtime parishioners challenged the diocese's repair estimates, claiming they were inflated. The commission debated the balance between private property rights and public preservation interest. A motion to approve passed 3-1 (Mominay, Whittington, Grossweiler in favor; Ricoff opposed). The case goes to City Council on October 21. M-17-26 – Local Landmark Designation: Good Shepherd Catholic Church (500 Clark Street) - Similar to Sacred Heart, this case was initiated by City Council. Staff described the building as a combination of Byzantine and Romanesque styles, with unique doming, and noted it appeared in fair condition. The Diocese opposed, arguing the designation was premature and that they had not been consulted. No current demolition plans were stated, but the diocese said the designation would not help their ongoing efforts to find a use. Public testimony supported designation, emphasizing the church's iconic dome and its role as a gateway to East Toledo. A motion to approve passed 3-1 (same split as Sacred Heart). The case goes to City Council on October 21. Key Outcomes - Z26-0016: Approved; forwarded to City Council Planning & Zoning Committee on October 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM. - M-5-26: Approved; similarly forwarded to City Council on October 21. - M-15-26: Approved; forwarded to City Council on October 21. - M-16-26: Approved (3-1); forwarded to City Council on October 21. - M-17-26: Approved (3-1); forwarded to City Council on October 21. - Z26-0015, V-325-26, SUP26-0019: Deferred or withdrawn as noted above. - Director’s Report: Richard Arnold briefed the commission on a City Council settlement (City of Toledo v. Singletary, $62,500) related to a denied group home, criticizing the secrecy and linking it to an unacted-upon text amendment from 2019. The commission also learned that a zoning code consultant will visit in the third week of October, with a special commission hearing tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 (date to be confirmed).