The Public Meeting Index

The City of Newburgh City Council held a work session on September 10, 2026, beginning at 6:11 PM. The agenda covered a broad range of items including the Natural Resources Inventory, street changes, construction contracts, property sales, recreation department updates, police technology grants, and resolutions of support. The council discussed the Flock automated license plate reader program at length, receiving an update from the police chief and debating potential resolutions. No formal votes were taken during the work session; resolutions are expected to be considered at subsequent meetings. Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) Presentation Richard Stevens, a biologist from Hudsonia, presented the draft Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) for Newburgh, funded by the Environmental Protection Fund via the Hudson River Estuary Program. The NRI includes 25 maps depicting watersheds, tree canopy, heat islands, flood zones, and more. Key recommendations include the "3-30-300" rule (three trees visible from every residence, 30% tree canopy cover in every neighborhood, and accessible green space within 300 meters). Stevens noted that the NRI is a one-time project and does not obligate the city to take any action. Council members expressed support and asked questions. Councilmember Martinez highlighted the crime-reducing benefits of shade. Councilmember McElmore asked about cost savings from natural resource protection. Stevens explained that avoiding development in floodplains could reduce municipal costs but building in floodplains for any purpose is unwise. Councilmember Monteverde asked whether the NRI would affect property owners' ability to renovate; Stevens said no, as the NRI is not regulatory. Councilmember Shakur raised concerns about the heat index in Ward 3. Councilmember Zaria noted that PFAS contamination from Stewart Air National Guard is addressed in the NRI and praised ongoing city efforts such as the Crystal Lake park designation, hiring an arborist, and urban forest management planning. Mayor Harvey asked about funding sources to help homeowners maintain trees on private property. Stevens agreed to research the matter. Department of Public Works Designation of S. Johnston Street as One-Way Northbound (Agenda Item 2): Chad, Superintendent of Public Works, presented a proposal to extend the one-way northbound designation on S. Johnston Street from Ann Street to Broadway to allow parking on both sides. The change is part of the Broadway Pedestrian and Traffic Signal Improvement Project. Stop Sign Updates (Agenda Item 3): An ordinance amendment removes the stop sign at Ann and Johnston (no longer necessary due to the one-way conversion) and adds stop signs that currently exist but were not codified. Councilmember Monteverde asked about green space in the Broadway bump-out areas; Chad replied that at present they remain sidewalk. Councilmember Stewart asked about a narrow street in Ward 3 with snowplow and parking issues. Chad advised her to send an email to discuss. Engineering Asbestos Abatement at WWTP (Item 4): Jason (City Manager/Engineering) confirmed the emergency abatement contract with ACA Environmental for $8,450. The work was completed on August 26, 2026, funded from the wastewater treatment plant budget. 155 West Street Roof Replacement (Item 5): Bid award to MAK Group, LLC for $375,758 to replace the defective roof. Councilmember Monteverde asked about future use of the building; Jason said it is currently vacant and will be assessed after the roof is completed. Mayor Harvey provided context that the building was purchased with potential police relocation in mind but no decisions have been made. Combined Sewer Control Facility Contracts (Items 6-9): Jason presented four contract awards for the Newburgh Combined Sewer Control Facility, part of the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP). The general construction contract with D.A. Collins Construction was $44,592,140; the plumbing contract with TM Brennan Service was $384,000; the HVAC contract with DJ Heating & Air Conditioning was $566,700. No bids were received for the electrical contract, which is being rebid. A bond resolution (Item 9) amends the previous amount from $44.9 million to $60,539,377 to capture current costs. Councilmember Monteverde asked about the impact on the natural habitat near the rowing club; Jason confirmed it will disrupt the area but transplants are possible. Mayor Harvey asked about the relationship to the Liberty Street reconstruction project; Jason explained both are part of the LTCP, with this facility treating combined sewer flows before discharge to the Hudson River. Councilmember Zaria questioned cost escalation from $35 million to $60 million; Jason attributed it to moving from design estimates to 100% design and actual bids. The town of Newburgh will cover 42% of the debt service. Construction is required to begin by November 1, 2026, and be completed by March 2029. Finance and Information Technology Legal Shred Renewal (Item 10): A resolution authorizing a contract with HVShred, Inc. for document destruction services. Auctions International Agreement (Item 11): A resolution authorizing a contract for liquidation services for surplus property. Zayo Firewall Installation (Item 12): A service order for $1,294 to install a firewall and integrate the DPW storage building into the city’s wide area network. Laserfiche 12 Upgrade (Item 13): A change order with ICC Community Development for $1,500 to upgrade the Laserfiche system. Councilmember Monteverde asked about the long-term plan for the KVS system; Jason said the city is interviewing replacement vendors. Planning and Economic Development Purchase of 252 Liberty Street (Item 14): Resolution to convey the property to Wesley Laidlaw for $180,000. Laidlaw, who intends to live there for ten years, provided the highest bid. Council members welcomed him. Newburgh Colored Burial Ground Memorial – SEQRA (Item 15): Ellie, Director of Planning, presented the environmental review process for the memorial project. The city will declare its intent to be lead agency, classify the action as unlisted, and issue a negative declaration on October 26, 2026. Bid specifications are due November 15, 2026, with bid award expected in January 2027 and construction in 2027. Approximately $1.9 million has been set aside, but current estimates exceed that amount. Two grant applications have been submitted. Council members thanked the committee, especially acknowledging late members Dr. Benilda Jones and others. Councilmember Shakur urged the use of local contractors. Property Covenants and Mortgage Satisfactions (Items 16-20): Corporation counsel presented releases of restrictive covenants for 82 Clinton Street, 367 First Street (mortgage satisfaction and covenant release), 161 North Miller Street, and 397 Grand Street. Councilmember Zaria caught a lot number discrepancy in Item 19, which counsel promised to correct. Recreation Aquatic Center Winterization (Item 21): Contract with Main Line Commercial Pools for winterization. Council members praised Wayne and his team for the successful season and beautification of the facility. Blackline Safety Lone Worker Devices (Item 22): Contract for $4,035 for two safety devices that detect falls and alert emergency services. Wayne shared a story of an employee who fell and waited hours for help. Council members supported the safety initiative. Councilmember Zaria asked if the program will be mandatory; Wayne said it will become standard operating procedure. Donation of ADA Wheelchair (Item 23): Resolution to accept a pool access wheelchair for the Aquatic Center, donated by a former Orange County resident. Police Department DCJS Law Enforcement Technology Grant (Item 24): Chief Rolle presented a grant of up to $250,000 with no city match. The funds would purchase interior drones ($158,000), a narcotics testing device ($45,900), and a mobile light tower with integrated camera. The chief confirmed the application aligns with the city’s Fair and Welcoming City policy and immigration resolution, noting New York State’s grant requirements prohibit use for civil immigration enforcement and preclude 287(g) agreements. Councilmember Shakur expressed support for the state’s immigration protections. Body Worn Camera Contract Renewal (Item 25): The chief indicated that he will withdraw the previously-tabled five-year $811,000 contract and instead propose a reduced five-year contract for $697,030.92 covering only sworn officers, parking enforcement, and a security guard. The new contract will be presented at the first work session in October. Councilmembers appreciated the responsiveness. Flock Automated License Plate Reader Update (Item 26): Chief Rolle provided an extensive update on the Flock program. He issued a memo to the council on August 27 detailing system audits and data-sharing restrictions. As of January 23, 2026, no outside agency has been able to include the City of Newburgh’s fixed LPR network in searches. A mobile LPR network inadvertently allowed two agencies to run searches, but no data was added because the mobile unit was never deployed. The chief has since restricted all outside access, and he will release both the memo and full audit reports publicly. The chief also shared examples where LPRs assisted in high-profile investigations, including homicides, burglaries, hit-and-runs, and locating a suicidal individual. Following the update, council members discussed potential resolutions. Councilmember Shakur introduced a resolution to terminate the Flock contract, citing national concerns about the company. Councilmember Monteverde presented an alternative resolution with more guardrails. Councilmember Zaria suggested using the budget process (non-appropriation) to end the contract without financial penalty. Councilmember Stewart proposed a local law for surveillance technology approval and reporting. The council agreed to work on a combined resolution and explore a local law, while using the upcoming budget cycle to defund Flock for 2027 consistent with the contract’s non-appropriation clause. Resolutions of Support Scarlet Oak Tree Nomination (Item 27): Resolution authorizing the nomination of a large scarlet oak at 123 Grand Street to the New York State Big Tree Register. Corporation counsel clarified that the tree is not associated with the historical lynching site on the other side of the courthouse. Street Naming – La Amistad Bakery (Item 28): Resolution to designate the intersection of South William Street and Mill Street as “La Placita Amistad” in honor of La Amistad Bakery, a Mexican-American business and community pillar since 1997. Councilmember Martinez presented the item, noting the business’s community events and contributions. All council members expressed support. Executive Session The council moved into executive session to discuss litigation and personnel matters.

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, the Des Moines City Council convened a workshop at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers to discuss the implementation of the city's first Strategic Plan and to consider establishing governance norms for council operations. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Yoshiko Grace Matsui and adjourned at 7:59 PM. Councilmember Jeremy Nutting was absent and excused by a 6-0 vote. Consent Calendar - Excusal of Absent Councilmember: Councilmember Harry Steinmetz moved to excuse Councilmember Jeremy Nutting; seconded by Councilmember Pierre Blosse. Motion passed 6-0. Discussion Items - Strategic Plan Workshop: The council engaged in a workshop facilitated by Raftelis Consultant Nancy Hetrick and City Manager Katherine Caffrey. Key discussions included: - Review of the first-year work plan developed by staff, which maps initiatives, leads, status, and current actions to each strategic focus area. - Agreement on reporting cadence: quarterly written updates to the council (made public), with twice-yearly in-depth workshops (e.g., retreats) to review progress, discuss metrics, and adjust priorities. - Need for key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress, with recognition that this will be developed over time, starting with a focus on metrics for each strategic priority area. - Importance of public communication: ideas included dashboards, simplified summaries, targeted outreach to underrepresented neighborhoods, and celebrating milestones to engage the community. - Governance Norms: The council discussed establishing shared operating norms based on an Institute for Local Government article. Proposed norms included: assuming good intent, focusing on the issue not the person, promoting civility, being open and curious, avoiding surprises, coming prepared, committing to final decisions, and seeking cohesion. The council agreed to treat these as a draft and revisit them at a January 2027 retreat. Key Outcomes - The council endorsed a quarterly written update cadence for strategic plan progress, with twice-yearly workshops (e.g., in January and mid-year) for deeper discussion, beginning in early 2027. - City Manager Katherine Caffrey will incorporate strategic plan progress into her annual performance evaluation, with a focus on future goals rather than retrospective accountability for the current year. - A draft set of governance norms (e.g., assume good intent, come prepared, commit to final decisions, seek cohesion) was informally agreed upon as a starting point, to be refined and formally adopted at the January 2027 retreat. - The next scheduled meeting is the City Council Budget Retreat on September 12, 2026.

On September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Bainbridge Island Planning Commission met in Council Chambers at 280 Madison Ave N and remotely to review and prioritize the 2027 Planning Commission Work Plan. Chair Chris Garcia presided; Vice Chair Sarah Blossom and Commissioners Alexandra Costin, John Sandich, Ben Dinas, and Peter Schaub were present. Alex Prudholm was excused. Planning Director Emily Terrell and Senior Planner Jennifer Sutton presented, and Council Members Laura Lant and Ashley Matthews participated as liaisons. The meeting opened with the Suquamish land acknowledgement. Opening, Agenda, Minutes, and Public Comment - The agenda was approved unanimously and no conflicts of interest were disclosed. - The August 27, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved unanimously. - There were no public commenters in person or remotely. Planning Director's Report - Director Terrell reported that the comprehensive plan update is moving forward. The City Council refined modeling assumptions for LMN and sent them to consultants. Commissioner Blossom's clarification helped resolve the bonus floor area ratio discussion for High School Road and Ferry. - A new city manager has started, and Terrell offered to share the list of Planning & Community Development items and the updated comp plan calendar. - Terrell reported four Growth Management Hearing Board decisions since 2025. The first two accepted 'plan for and accommodate' for affordable housing, while the more recent two require jurisdictions to fund affordable housing. She cited Port Townsend's finding of $170 million in affordable housing need with no identified funding source, and said the city may ask the Legislature for clarification. 2027 Work Plan Discussion Staff prepared a work plan table with a blank priority column, level-of-effort estimates, consultant needs, and dependencies. Sutton explained that the Department of Commerce reviews most land-use code changes and has a 60-day review period; SEPA review is also embedded. The city is on a status-quo budget because permit revenue is down, so consultant funding is limited. The Commission scored items using 5 (high), 3 (medium), and 1 (low), considering value, effort, dependencies, external stakeholders, and regulatory requirements. - Park overlay / park permit process: Scored 24; seen as a possible quick win with existing community commitments, though some members rated its standalone value as medium. - Hotel location: Received low priority. - Voluntary and mandatory inclusionary zoning (VIZ/MIZ): Scored 26; a high-effort, consultant-supported item including market review, funding mechanisms, and new code recommendations. Commissioner Schaub called funding mechanisms the most important piece. - TDR and bonus FAR: Scored 28; members supported improving the transfer of development rights program and using bonus FAR for public benefits, conservation-area relief, groundwater management, and agricultural land protection. Commissioner Schaub said reducing conservation-area development pressure is essential. - Minimum floor area ratio (FAR): The Commission unanimously moved this item into the VIZ/MIZ program item as a supporting element rather than a standalone priority. - Civic/cultural/connection overlay (CCCO): Scored 24; tied to a Hagar Scribner Properties proposal and external stakeholders who have waited for action. It would reward community benefits such as affordable housing, connectivity, and open space with flexibility in development standards. - Sub-area plans for Ferry and High School Road: Scored 12; members said these should run in parallel with base/bonus FAR work rather than before or after it, and some worried the plans could sit on the shelf. Commissioner Schaub suggested encouraging grassroots community visioning instead of a formal top-down priority. - Minimum residential density: The Commission unanimously split this into two items: upzoning existing R zones (raising the cap, scored 6) and requiring a minimum density within existing zones without changing caps (raising the floor, scored 20). Discussion referenced the Sportsman's Club Road R0.4 property on city water/sewer and commercial sewer capacity issues raised by Council Member Lant. - Middle housing: The Commission unanimously renamed the 'middle housing' item to 'middle housing: strategies other than form-based code' and the 'form-based code' item to 'form-based code in support of middle housing.' Middle housing strategies scored 24. Form-based code was described as a key tool for middle-scale, middle-income housing serving households above the 80% AMI threshold. - Subdivisions: Received a low priority score of 8; members thought subdivision standards were updated relatively recently. - HAP report card: The Commission unanimously struck this row and replaced it with a column identifying whether each work plan item is a Housing Action Plan action or supports one. Staff were also asked to flag HAP actions that are not complete and not otherwise captured. - Attracting development/partnerships/process improvements: Scored 26. Members emphasized partnerships, updated MFTE (multifamily property tax exemption) rules, priority permitting, and permit-process confidence. Commissioner Blossom noted Kitsap Builders Association feedback about MFTE and priority permitting. - Modular/pre-approved construction: Discussed as a worthwhile but not urgent tool; Council Member Lant noted local modular and pre-approved ADU producers. - Suzuki and Senior Center affordable housing: The Commission unanimously voted not to prioritize this item at this time and instead to ask the City Council what, if anything, it needs from the Planning Commission to start work; if no action is needed, the item will be struck. - Relief from standards: Scored 10. Director Terrell framed this as a general code allowance for affordable housing projects, not a project-specific waiver; it would identify which standards can be relaxed, by how much, and who decides. - Shoreline Master Program: Scored 16. It is a mandatory update due June 30, 2029, with significant Ecology rulemaking underway. Terrell noted a small state grant of $22,400 for consultant help. - Annual joint meeting with City Council: Scored 22; supported as a way to align priorities and avoid surprises, possibly starting with a full-day retreat. - Process improvement, time management, and Commerce short course: Scored 22. The Department of Commerce offers a free three-hour short course; new commissioners welcomed it as a way to level the learning curve, and the group supported a comp plan post-mortem while the process is still fresh. - Agricultural resource lands: Scored 16. Members noted the dependency on a functional TDR program and discussed protecting city-owned and private farmland. Council Member Matthews said an agricultural advisory group proposal is heading to the City Council. - Housekeeping ordinance: Scored 24. Staff identified scriveners' errors, broken references, and conflicting code sections across many BIMC chapters; Terrell said fixing them reduces legal liability and improves customer service. Key Outcomes - The Commission directed staff to consolidate the individual 5/3/1 scores into a prioritized 2027 work plan and bring it back for further review. - Unanimous votes taken during the discussion included: - Moving minimum FAR into the VIZ/MIZ item. - Splitting minimum residential density into 'raising the cap' and 'raising the floor' items. - Renaming the middle housing and form-based code items to clarify that form-based code is in support of middle housing. - Striking the HAP report card row and adding a HAP action column, plus requesting staff to flag unaddressed HAP actions. - Not prioritizing the Suzuki and Senior Center item absent Council direction. - In Good of the Order, Commissioner Schaub apologized for his absences, explaining that his wife had suffered a severe leg break and he had been caring for her. Commissioner Blossom clarified that city-owned farmland is not expected to be developed for housing, though farmworker housing may be needed. The Chair marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a moment of silence, and the meeting adjourned.

Chair Marita Davis Johnson (District 5) presided, joined by Commissioners Robert Patrick and Ladina Bolton. The committee approved several change orders, reviewed a presentation on the PDK Airport air quality and noise study, and discussed the draft 2027 legislative agenda. The meeting began at6:00 PM UTC. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (Item2026-0374): The minutes from August18,2026 were approved unanimously. Discussion Items Facility Management Change Orders - Item26-1149: A change order for on-call pressure washing and painting services (contracts2000310 and2003112) was approved, increasing funding to a total not to exceed $1,850,000. Discussion covered painting of water towers, graffiti removal on retaining walls, and coordination with beautification departments. The item passed with a motion and second. - Item26-1323: A sixth change order for on-call plumbing services (contract1297570) was approved, adding $1,269,307 to fund building performance assessment audits. The audit will inventory county facilities and identify needed repairs and preventive maintenance. Clarification was provided that the item covers assessment, not immediate repairs, but will inform a multi-year capital plan. The item passed unanimously. Innovation & Technology - Item26-1198: A change order for Fuel Master software maintenance (contract200149) was approved, extending the term through December31,2030 and increasing funds by $266,286 to ensure continued support and licensing for the county fleet's fuel management system. The item passed unanimously. Voter Registration & Elections - Item26-1238: Approval of a bid award for emergency/provisional ballot printing and absentee ballot mailing services, split between Tech Mail Solutions and Ford Orange Press, for a total not to exceed $121,297.50. The committee discussed offline handling of certain questions. The item passed unanimously. PDK Air quality and Noise Study Update - Representatives from HMMH (Gene Rindell) and CDM Smith (Gwen Pelletier) presented findings of a two-year study. The study used2018 as a baseline and projected2040 conditions with and without implementation of the airport master plan. Key findings: - Air quality emissions increase marginally due to assumed longer taxi times; concentration differences are less than2% of National Ambient Air quality Standards. - Noise levels (cumulative metrics like DNL) are essentially unchanged between scenarios; a slight1.5% reduction in repositioning flights was assumed with new hangars. - Human health risks from air pollution are negligible (cancer risk below one per million). - Noise health effects literature supports reducing exposure to aircraft noise, especially at night. - Questions addressed the2018 baseline choice (avoiding COVID years), the negligible increase in emissions, and qualifications for future noise mitigation programs (no residences currently in65 DNL contour). The item was informational; no vote taken. 2027 Legislative Agenda Development - John Dan from Intergovernmental Affairs presented a draft consolidating priorities from the recent legislative retreat. The original top four priorities were expanded to five by splitting tenant protections and strategic housing investments. The committee discussed elevating annexation equity as a top priority, citing concerns about cities absorbing county parks and infrastructure without compensation. Commissioners Davis Johnson, Patrick, Spears, and Bolton strongly supported elevating the annexation issue. Staff will revise the document and bring it back for committee approval on September22,2026, with full board approval expected in October. Key Outcomes - Four change orders and one bid award were approved unanimously (Items26-1149,26-1323,26-1198,26-1238). - The PDK Airport study was received as information. - The2027 legislative agenda draft will be amended to include annexation as a top priority; further committee action scheduled for September22,2026.

On September 10, 2026, the Broward County Commission and Broward County School Board held their first joint workshop in 12 years in Commission Room 430, with a hard stop at 1:55 p.m. Commission and school board members discussed facility sharing, emergency shelter coordination, legislative priorities, and workforce development. No formal votes were taken; the workshop produced staff assignments and a commitment to continue joint collaboration. Facilities & Joint Use - School Board Chief of Staff John Sullivan said the district wants to partner with the county on facilities that are available or will become available through the district's "redefining" school portfolio effort. School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi noted that community members at a Miramar-area redefining meeting suggested using future closed campuses as library space. - School Board member Rebecca Thompson supported shared "third spaces" and noted that the library space at Walter C. Young may no longer be available, creating a possible expansion opportunity. - School Board member Debbie Higson asked the county to help with graduation venues, explaining that three schools can only fit at the Hard Rock and that venue is too expensive. She raised the county convention center as a possible option and asked for equity in where students hold graduation. - The Mayor said all government facilities should be on the table, and county administrator Monica cautioned that the convention center is booked years in advance because its revenue pays bonds, but said if dates are open the county is willing to talk. - Commissioner Udine shared examples of small city-county-school collaborations, including a copy paper loan and SAT prep funding, and urged avoiding over-lawyering. The Mayor asked for a shared inventory of county and school board properties and availability. - Officials discussed reciprocal agreements and existing interlocal agreements; the current emergency shelter agreement was cited as a key existing partnership. - A commissioner raised the student ID library card program, noting roughly 80,000 students once used it. School Board staff said they believed it was still in effect, and both bodies agreed to promote it during library card month. Emergency Management & Shelter Coordination - County administrator Monica said three proposed school closures would affect emergency shelters: Panther Run Elementary, Silver Lakes Elementary, and Dolphin Bay Elementary. Together those schools represent about 1,200 shelter spaces during emergency activations. - The county asked to be the first party consulted about leasing or using the gymnasium, kitchen/cafeteria, and bathrooms at those schools if the properties are sold or repurposed. - School Board staff said Panther Run has already closed, but the superintendent asked to keep its shelter-capable spaces open to avoid scenarios where the entire school system must close because of one shelter. - Emergency Management Director Clay Pacheco said the county and school board already plan, train, and exercise shelter operations together and will share updates on shelter capacity. - The existing shelter interlocal agreement is in place through 2030; the county attorney advised that the county must be made whole for lost shelter capacity if school closures change availability. - Vice Mayor McKenzie asked for updates on North Fork Elementary and Broward Estates closures. School Board staff said Dr. Wanza would stay in touch with him, and noted that Broward Estates has a pre-K program with 100% of pre-K students kindergarten-ready and that North Fork has an approved "Sistrunk Rising" proposal. Legislative Priorities & Joint Advocacy - Debbie Higson said Florida ranks 50th in the nation for teacher pay, and Broward receives about $9,000 per student. She stated Miami-Dade receives about $300 more per student and Palm Beach County receives about $1,700 more per student than Broward. - Officials attributed the funding gap to the state's district cost differential, which equates to nearly $300 million less for Broward compared with Palm Beach County. - School Board staff explained the November 3 referendum is a renewal, not a new tax, in place since 2018. It funds supplements for teachers and frontline staff, mental health services, and school safety. Failure would mean a loss of $358 million annually; the referendum needs a simple majority. - Commissioner Geller asked whether the funding gap is state or local; the answer was that it is driven by state FEFP calculations. - Commissioner Rich discussed the property tax amendment on the same ballot, saying the county general fund depends heavily on property taxes and that libraries and parks are not core services. Both bodies agreed they can educate the public but not tell people how to vote. - The county and school board agreed to exchange their formally adopted legislative priorities and seek alignment for joint advocacy ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Workforce Development & Career Pipelines - The Mayor invited Superintendent Hepburn to participate in his long-running workforce working group and praised the school board's three vocational schools as top-ranked statewide. He said guidance counselors should not direct every student to college. - The Superintendent said the district has added CTE coaches to high schools to promote skilled technical careers, not just college paths. - A commissioner asked about relationship and domestic violence education; School Board staff cited state constraints on curriculum and said financial literacy is now a required subject, with robust finance academies in the district. - A commissioner raised the upcoming organics waste requirement: after the end of the year, organic waste can no longer go to Monarch Landfill. Solid waste RFPs will be issued in the next few months, and the commissioner asked the school board to coordinate with cities and haulers. The Superintendent said the district is purchasing compostable cafeteria items, running education campaigns, and will begin discussions with cities. - Commissioner Rogers urged broader joint problem-solving, including summer meal distribution, school kitchens, food security, and transparent lists of surplus properties. She also suggested the county and school board consider sharing one ombudsman. School Board staff responded that food is purchased to avoid spoilage, summer meals are offered, and cities are consulted during school closure discussions. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken; the meeting was a workshop focused on discussion and next steps. - County administrator Monica will work with Superintendent Hepburn to produce a list of available facilities and bring options back to both boards. - The county will share shelter requirement lists and keep shelter coordination with the school board a priority, particularly before the next storm season. - Both bodies will share their adopted legislative priorities and explore joint advocacy items. - Both sides will publicize the student library card program. - The school board will continue consulting the county on school closures, property reuse, shelter capacity, and organic waste coordination. - Participants expressed a shared commitment to hold regular future joint meetings, with some suggesting once or twice a year.

The Pensacola City Council met on September 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of minutes, consent agenda items, several grant acceptances for airport projects, a law enforcement grant that sparked considerable public comment, lease amendments for homeless sheltering organizations, funding for a stormwater park and tree canopy project, and a first reading of a parking fine ordinance. The meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM. Consent Calendar - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 School Resource Officer MOU (Item 2) – Approved a memorandum of understanding between PPD and Escambia County School Board for SROs at three schools in an amount not to exceed $529,522. - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Safe Schools MOU (Item 3) – Approved a memorandum of understanding for protection and safety at all School Board of Escambia County schools located in the city. - Discretionary Funding Allocation (Item 4) – Approved $500 to The Eastside Neighborhood Improvement Association from District 3 discretionary funds (Council Member Jones). All consent items were approved 7-0. Public Comments & Testimony First Leroy Boyd Forum (citizen comments not on agenda): - Sherri Myers discussed the importance of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) priorities, citing deterioration at Fire Station 3 and the need to address public safety needs. - Larry Downs, Jr. distributed materials and voiced opposition to Florida’s anti-Semitism law, arguing it violates the First Amendment and is un-American. - James Borchardt, Chirag Kathrani, and Pepper Wimer announced the launch of the Gulf Coast Weekly newspaper, emphasizing fact-based reporting and community transparency. - Pepper Wimer raised environmental concerns regarding the Port of Pensacola, referring to it as a "Superfund site" and stating she could find no monitoring data on air, water, and soil. She also commented on FLOCK cameras. Deputy City Administrator Amy Miller clarified that the port itself is not an EPA-designated Superfund site, though there were historical diesel spills that have been monitored and closed. - Brandy Johnson expressed vehement opposition to any development at the former Escambia Treating Company site (referred to as "Mt. Dioxin") at 3410 North Palafox Street. - Rick Frye questioned the official narrative of the 9/11 attacks, citing inconsistencies and urging council members to reexamine the events. - Dianne Ballard advocated for amenities for individuals with disabilities at Tippin Park, suggesting a partnership with Best Buddies. - Francesca Yabraian proposed a new noise ordinance, stating the current one (rooted in 1986) is outdated and favors corporations over residents and musicians. - Jacob Rockwell and Lucas Pallone applauded the suspension of FLOCK cameras on state intersections, with Pallone asking about removal of cameras on non-state roads. - Gloria Horning reported poor water quality at Bruce Beach and Bayou Texar, referencing a case study of the former Escambia Treating Company site. Public input on agenda items: - Item 5 (REAP lease amendment): Gloria Horning expressed concerns about placing pallet shelters near a former Superfund site. Council Member Wiggins and Mayor Reeves clarified that the shelters are going to the REAP site on Merino Street, which is not a Superfund site. - Item 6 (Offentsive lease amendment): Multiple speakers (Brandy Johnson, Francesa Yabraian, Sherri Myers) questioned the location near the former Escambia Treating Company site and raised ADA compliance concerns about the hygiene trailer. City Administrator Stafford stated the hygiene trailers are ADA compliant. - Item 17 (FDLE Grant): Numerous speakers (Sasha Lewis, Harper Cummings, Chanson Brummet, Declan McGurk, Sam Epstein, Alexandra Hatley, Lucas Pallone, Girasol Alfonso, Nick Grull, Elisa Rose) urged the council to reject the grant, arguing it would increase local cooperation with ICE, expose the city to legal liability, and lead to human rights abuses. They noted ICE’s record of violence and the grant’s implications for immigrant communities. - Item 24 (Tree canopy revitalization): Sherri Myers opposed the planting plan, advocating instead for using the tree trust fund to purchase land along Carpenter Creek to preserve existing forest, and for planting trees in under-served areas like Eau Claire. Discussion Items - Items 5 & 6 – Pallet Shelter Lease Amendments (REAP and Offentsive): Finance Director Amy Lovoy explained that due to Pallet PBC going out of business, 13 pallet shelters originally destined for Offentsive are redirected to the REAP site, and the REAP lease is amended to add 13 shelters and $25,000 for installation. Offentsive will instead receive a hygiene trailer. Council members questioned the financial controls at REAP, the location of Offentsive near a former Superfund site, and the logic of delivering a hygiene unit with no residents currently on site. Mayor Reeves noted the trailers remain city property and emphasized that Offentsive is private property and the city supports both organizations. The REAP amendment passed 7-0; the Offentsive amendment passed 6-1, with Council Member Bare dissenting, citing concerns about the location and the hygiene unit. - Items 7-16 – Airport Grant Awards: Mayor Reeves highlighted the airport’s terminal modernization and expansion, totaling approximately $43 million in grants, 90% from FAA and 10% local match. Deputy Airport Director Remington confirmed the grants cover taxiway rehabilitation, apron expansion, ground vehicle transmitters, and a VALE grant for the boiler system. All items passed 7-0 with council praise for airport and grants staff. - Item 17 – FDLE Grant for Police Radios and Training: Police Chief Eric Winstrom presented the grant (total $540,701), with $477,000 earmarked for replacement of end-of-life radios, and the remainder for training (cryptocurrency, forensic digital analysis, etc.) and overtime for a 287(g) officer. He stated the grant does not require any actions beyond existing state obligations and is reimbursement-only. Public speakers opposed, claiming it would enhance immigration enforcement and expose the city to liability. Council discussion: Council Member Broughton said her constituents support it; Council Vice President Brahier expressed concerns about legal liability and the obligations of the grant; Council Member Moore noted the necessity of radios and his personal experience as the spouse of an immigrant, but said the city needs the equipment and the grant is a good deal. Council Member Bare questioned the state board’s monitoring authority. The grant passed 5-2 with Brahier and Bare dissenting. - Items 19-20 – CERT Grant: Approved $10,000 to support the BRACE Community Emergency Response Team. Passed 7-0. - Items 21-23 – Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park: Mayor Reeves noted this is the largest stormwater project in city history, reconnecting neighborhoods cut off by I-110. The $5.19 million FDEP grant (no local match) and the $19.88 million contract award to Talcon Group (with all six bid alternates funded) were approved 7-0. - Item 24 – Tree Canopy Revitalization Project: Supplemental budget resolution appropriating funds for the next planting. City Arborist Moose Franklin and Street & Traffic Operations Manager Wendy Gavin explained the planting locations are based on a cross-filtered analysis of canopy studies, tree inventories, and urban heat islands, focusing on critical need areas. Council Member Bare opposed, arguing that funds collected from tree removal permits in District 2 are not being returned there, and that the process lacks transparency. Council Vice President Brahier supported the resolution but urged better consultation with council members. The resolution passed 6-1, with Bare dissenting. - Item 25 – Parking Fine Ordinance (First Reading): Proposed Ordinance No. 7-26 amends parking fines in Title XI of the City Code. Passed first reading unanimously (7-0). Key Outcomes - Approved minutes of August 13, 2026 (7-0). - Approved consent items 2, 3, 4 (7-0). - Approved First Amendment to REAP Pallet Shelter Lease (Item 5) – Allows REAP to host 13 additional pallet shelters with $25,000 from ARPA for installation (7-0). - Approved First Amendment to Offentsive Lease (Item 6) – Removes 13 pallet shelters but retains a hygiene trailer for Offentsive (6-1, Bare dissenting). - Approved seven airport-related FAA grants and associated budget resolutions (Items 7-16) – Total approximately $43 million, 90% federally funded, including terminal expansion, taxiway rehabilitation, apron expansion, VALE grant, and ground vehicle transmitters (all 7-0). - Approved FDLE Grant Award No. IG102 (Item 17) – $540,701 for radios, training, and equipment, despite substantial public opposition (5-2, Brahier and Bare dissenting). - Adopted Supplemental Budget Resolution No. 2026-26 (Item 18) for the FDLE grant (6-1, Bare dissenting). - Approved CERT Grant (Item 19) and Supplemental Budget Resolution (Item 20) – $10,000 for BRACE (7-0). - Approved FDEP Grant for Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park (Item 21) – $5,190,939 with no local match, and adopted Supplemental Budget Resolution (Item 22) (7-0). - Awarded Bid No. 26-046 for Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park (Item 23) to Talcon Group, LLC for $19,879,785.15 (7-0). - Adopted Supplemental Budget Resolution No. 2026-39 (Item 24) for the Tree Canopy Revitalization Project (6-1, Bare dissenting). - Passed Proposed Ordinance No. 7-26 on first reading (Item 25) amending parking fines (7-0).

The Goodlettsville Board of Commissioners held a study session on Thursday, September 10, 2026, beginning at 5:48 p.m. in Massie Chambers at Goodlettsville City Hall. The agenda called for a 5:45 p.m. start, and no formal action could be taken during a study session. The two discussion items were the 2026 Pleasant Green Pool season report, required by Resolution 26-1316 as amended, and a proposed lease of the Main Street parking lot. Pleasant Green Pool 2026 Season - Recreation staff reported total pool attendance of 11,116 for the 2026 season, an increase of 1,104 visitors over the prior year and close to pre-COVID attendance. Attendance was tracked through membership check-ins and daily passes. - Total revenue was $84,616, an increase of $11,567 over the previous year. Revenue sources included gate sales, concession sales, memberships, programming, and reservations. Programming, which included a weekly water aerobics class, generated $475, and reservations generated $7,150. - Expenses were $141,390.30, a decrease of $9,341 from the prior year. Lifeguard salaries were the largest expense because salaries had been raised to remain competitive in the lifeguard market; scheduling changes helped reduce overall costs while maintaining safety. - The season ended with a net loss of $56,774, an improvement from a loss of more than $77,000 the previous year. - Staff increased marketing through paid and organic social media, news interviews, and pop-up events, which became very popular. They also extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings; the 4:00-7:30 p.m. extended period averaged 20-25 paid admissions, with one evening drawing more than 50. Peak attendance remained from noon to 3 p.m. - Reservations were limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday based on prior demand; those days sold out, though one last-minute cancellation could not be refilled. - Staff estimated fewer than five full days were lost to weather closures. Lifeguards were paid only for cleanup time on closed days, not for the full day. - On capital needs: diving board replacements were completed, and $50,000 was budgeted for the concession stand renovation. Staff identified pool deck resurfacing and an automated chemical system as top priorities and said they would request a budget amendment for $75,000 for those items before reopening. Other future needs included lightning detection, ADA upgrades, and additional shade. Staff described the pool deck as in rough shape; resurfacing would involve grinding, leveling, and applying a new membrane rather than replacing the concrete. - Nighttime swimming was discussed; staff said it is not currently feasible because the pool has no in-pool lighting, and installing internal lighting would be a significant cost. Staff did not consider nighttime swimming a good use of funds. - Swim lessons were not offered in 2026 because staff were not WSI certified and many lifeguards were new. Staff and commissioners noted that swim lessons generated more than $12,000 in revenue in past years and were one of the most requested community programs. Staff expressed interest in certifying staff and bringing swim lessons back. - Commissioners thanked pool staff and lifeguards, noted approximately 25-26 lifeguard saves, and said the community strongly supports keeping the pool open. One commissioner reported that a social media post about the pool drew hundreds of comments, almost all in favor of keeping it. Main Street Parking Lot - Mr. Ellis presented a proposed lease for the parking lot at the corner of East and Main Street, across from Memorial, for public parking to support businesses along the Main Street corridor. - Proposed terms: a 36-month initial term from January 1, 2027, through 2029, with rent of $10,000 per year. The lease payment would increase if improvements to the property increase its appraised value by the Davidson County assessor. Legal counsel had not yet approved the draft. - The fiscal year 2027 budget includes $15,000 for the property: $10,000 for the first year's lease payment and $5,000 for paving and striping. Staff said paving and striping would be done through the city's existing contract with Rogers Group; minimal other improvements would be made until the Main Street project is complete. - Commissioner Walker expressed concern that the city would pay to improve privately owned property without a renewal right or right of first refusal, leaving the owner free to lease the improved lot to a private operator after three years. Walker asked whether the city could seek a renewal option. Mr. Ellis said the property owners are not interested in selling, are comfortable with the current terms, and have not agreed to a renewal term; he offered to take the request back to them. - Another commissioner noted the Main Street project is expected to be complete in 2028, meaning the parking lot lease would be half over before the new Main Street improvements are finished, but argued the lot would still be used for events and additional public parking. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken, consistent with the study session format. - Pool staff plan to bring forward a budget amendment for approximately $75,000 for pool deck resurfacing and an automated chemical system, and will consider pricing additional shade. - Staff will continue discussions with the parking lot property owners, including the possibility of a renewal term or right of first refusal.

The Columbia City Council met on September 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a special presentation of the Carnegie Medal, updates on community events, a funding request from the Miracle League, approval of fee waivers for county projects, and the first reading of a temporary moratorium on data center developments. Consent Calendar - The Council approved the consent agenda (Items 7.1-7.15) collectively, which included: - July 2026 disbursements ($11,615,452.19). - Tyler Technologies Parks and Recreation module ($20,665 total FY27 cost). - Storage lease with Campbell & Lovell Rentals ($900/month). - Advertising in the 2027 Tennessee Vacation Guide ($10,000). - Holiday digital billboard advertising with Lamar Advertising ($5,625). - Live entertainment contract with Tuck River Touring for the 2027 Fruit Tea Festival ($15,000). - User fee study contract with Matrix Consulting Group ($20,000). - Three-year on-call traffic engineering agreements with Neel-Schaffer, Inc. and T-Square Engineering, Inc. - Purchase of a leaf vacuum truck from CMI Equipment Sales ($298,880.05). - Sewer capacity analysis contract with Water Management Services, LLC ($45,000). - Initial Rescue Squad Recognition application ($50 fee). City Attorney noted the attachment provided was incorrect; correct attachments were distributed. - AT&T fiber installation participation agreement ($3,818.28 budgeted). - Purchase of eight 2026 Ford Police Interceptor vehicles ($354,272). - Purchase of eight in-car/body camera systems from Motorola ($65,332.48). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak during the designated public comment period. Discussion Items Presentation of the Carnegie Medal: - Mayor Molder presented the Carnegie Medal to Samuel Harden Adcock for his heroic rescue of a man from the Duck River on May 23, 2025. The Carnegie Medal Fund recognized Adcock as the 10,561st hero in its history. This was a historic presentation, marking the first time the medal has been awarded in the City of Columbia. Presentation on the Fruit Teaser: - Kelli Johnson of Columbia Main Street presented the inaugural Fruit Teaser event (September 12, 2026 at the Maury County Public Lot). The event will feature a fruit tea competition with 17 teams, youth bands, and other activities. Two proclamations will be made at the event: declaring Columbia the "Fruit Tea Capital of the World" and fruit tea the "Official Drink of Columbia." Presentation by the Miracle League: - Mike Ugla and Julie Beck of the Miracle League requested financial assistance from the city for Phase 2 ("Tay's Place") of the project at Maury County Park. Phase 2 is an all-inclusive playground with a current estimated cost of $750,000. Of this, $230,000 has been raised through county contributions, leaving a $498,000 shortfall. The group expressed urgency as their equipment quote expires on October 31, 2026. Mayor Molder expressed full support for a city contribution, noting the project serves a significant community need, and requested the item be placed on the October 8, 2026 agenda for formal consideration. Maury County Fee Waivers (8.1 & 8.2): - The Council discussed requests from Maury County to waive building permit fees. - Unanimously approved waiving $85,000 in fees for renovations at the Maury County Courthouse. - Unanimously approved waiving $66,000 in fees for the Animal Shelter expansion project. Council members praised the partnership with the county and the work of the Animal Shelter director. Data Center Moratorium (Ordinance 4596): - The Council unanimously approved the first reading of a temporary, six-month moratorium on accepting and processing applications for data centers and high-density computing facilities. Mayor Molder explained the need for a pause to allow staff and the Planning Commission to study the infrastructure, environmental, acoustic, and utility impacts of such facilities, following similar action by Maury County. A public hearing is set for October 8, 2026. Other Ordinances and Resolutions: - The Council approved the first reading of a budget amendment (Ordinance 4594) increasing the FY 2026-2027 budget by $975,821.24 to $85,442,422. - Approved the first reading of an easement conveyance to Duck River Electric (Ordinance 4595). - Approved Resolutions 26-58 (Tax Corrections), 26-59 (Delinquent Tax Deletions), 26-60 (Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule), and 26-61 (Sewer Improvements Acceptance). Key Outcomes - Presentation and Recognition: Carnegie Medal awarded to Samuel Harden Adcock; James Blackwood Jr. honored for 24 years of service with Columbia Fire & Rescue. - Approved: Consent Agenda including disbursements, contracts, vehicle/camera purchases, and software agreements. - Approved: Waiver of building permit fees for Maury County Courthouse ($85,000) and Animal Shelter expansion ($66,000). - Approved: Resolutions related to tax corrections, park fees, sewer improvements, and delinquent tax deletions. - Approved (1st Reading): FY27 Budget Amendment, Electric Line Easement, and Data Center Moratorium. Public hearings for these items are scheduled for October 8, 2026. - Referred to Future Agenda: Formal consideration of the Miracle League playground funding request (October 8, 2026).

The Edmonds City Council met in study session to continue work on the tree code amendments (AMD2026-0001, Fifth Reading and Beyond), focusing on public feedback from the previous night's public hearing and possible further code changes. The meeting opened with an executive session on litigation; no formal action was taken. Note: the agenda packet lists the meeting as September 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM, while the meeting record timestamp is 2026-09-10 17:30:00+00:00; this summary uses the latter date. Executive Session - Council moved into executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss litigation or potential litigation with legal counsel representing the city. - The session was expected to last 16 minutes; Council reconvened at 4:15 PM, and no action was taken. Public Comments & Testimony - At the previous evening's public hearing, approximately 20 people spoke in person, and multiple additional comments were submitted via email. - Staff and council summarized the themes of that public feedback: the code's complexity, length, and inconsistencies; discretionary versus more predictable code requirements; and view and view covenant concerns. Discussion Items - Tree Code Amendments (AMD2026-0001) – Fifth Reading and Beyond: - Deb, the project manager, explained that the study session was intended for staff to hear council feedback on the prior night's public hearing and to determine what further code changes staff should consider. Staff will seek direction from council at the September 22, 2026 meeting. - Delays: the tree board and planning board each took additional time, pushing the schedule later in the year than anticipated; October 6, 2026 was identified as a potential date to extend the interim ordinance. - Version 3 vs. Version 4: several council members observed that some planning board recommendations in Version 3 did not carry into Version 4 and requested better communication on why changes were made. Staff and Jeff Charity explained that Version 4 was developed from council's August 11th discussion, because the same Version 3 shown at the planning board public hearing could not be shown again at the council public hearing; any revisions intended for adoption had to appear in the public hearing packet. The schedule was extended from July 22 to August 12, shortening the time between the planning board recommendation and the first public hearing. - Council members' positions and suggestions included: - Support for incentives, especially for public owners who voluntarily retain mature trees, using tree fund and fee-in-lieu dollars (for example, a stormwater fee reduction) to encourage retention. - Caution that monetary incentives are 'ripe for unscrupulous activity' and that financial incentives are harder to administer than development-based incentives. - Retention of the tree risk assessment requirement, performed by an ISA-certified professional. - Concern that the code's 2,000 square foot threshold is treated as non-development, which is not how the development code treats it. - View easements should remain a civil matter between property owners, not enforced by city staff; the code should allow flexibility where an easement is in effect without exempting properties from the code or from tree replacement requirements. - A question about how fee-in-lieu dollars are ensured to translate back into tree canopy, referencing the city attorney's statement. - A suggestion to adopt a more strategic framework with tree retention as the first priority, followed by the activities the city will undertake to retain trees. - A council member relayed that Friends of the Edmonds Trees reported three people independently using two different AI models to find inconsistencies within the code and between the code and the Urban Forest Management Plan, with all three converging on similar refinements; the group offered to share their prompts with staff. - Staff described two enforcement tracks: clear violations, especially involving critical areas or tree protection plans, versus inadvertent removal where a permitted path exists; the city is generally not punitive when property owners self-report. For dead tree removals, staff historically accepted photos showing a tree that was clearly brown, leafless, and dead. - Process note: one council member expressed concern that the informal format was being monopolized and that all council members should receive equitable time to share perspectives, stating that continuing to abuse the process was not a fair or good use of taxpayer time and money. Items for Future Consent - Addendum No. 1 to the 2026 Summer Market Event Agreement, adding Winter Market dates (Parks and Recreation). First reading; listed for a future consent agenda. Key Outcomes - No formal action was taken; the meeting was a study session. - Staff will prepare draft code changes and seek council direction at the September 22, 2026 meeting. - Two more public hearings are anticipated before adoption. - October 6, 2026 was penciled in as a potential date for extending the interim ordinance. - Council members requested clearer communication on the differences between planning board recommendations (Version 3) and staff's Version 4. - The study session adjourned at 4:50 PM.