The Public Meeting Index

The San Antonio Planning Commission met on September 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, a presentation and vote on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, and deliberations on two rezoning cases. Commissioners present: Suzuki, Cooper, Miller, Wallester, Oren, Bustamante, Siegel, and President Peck. Commissioner Bustamante temporarily recused himself during the consent agenda vote. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda (all items except 12, 13, and 15) was approved unanimously with a motion by Commissioner Miller and second by Commissioner Siegel. Vote: 7-0 (Commissioner Bustamante absent). Discussion Items Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget (Item 15) - Arturo, representing the city budget office, presented the FY2027 budget, calling it a "challenging financial year." Key points: - Revenue growth projected at 2.3% (down from 6.9%), while expenditures grow at 6.9%. - A $158 million deficit over two years is addressed through a three-part strategy: 1) $90 million in spending reductions (including 150 position cuts, service reductions, and transfers to other funds); 2) property tax revenue increase of 3.5% (the maximum allowed without voter approval under state law), generating $28 million in FY2027 and $65 million in FY2028; 3) fee and tariff increases totaling $39 million, including $20 million from police and fire department fees (e.g., vehicle towing, ambulance) and a $20 annual non-resident library fee. - The city's total proposed budget is $4.4 billion across all funds, compared to $4.06 billion in FY2026. Projected city property tax rate: $2.95 per $100 valuation, with 47% of residents unaffected due to exemptions or homestead freezes. - Investments include $30.8 million for homelessness services (focus on shelters and housing frameworks), $37.7 million for housing (14,000 units targeted by end of FY2027), opening a new animal hospital on the west side (FY2027 winter) with 10 staff and $9 million, adding 27 new police officers and 8 new uniformed firefighter positions, and $129 million for street maintenance (over 1,000 miles of projects). - Capital budget: $1.4 billion, with the largest share for airport (Terminal C construction). Also: $316.6 million for capital delivery in FY2027, including projects from the 2022 bond program (78% completed or under construction). - Commissioners asked questions about fee structures, the Alamodome's funding (supported by hotel occupancy tax), property tax assessment methods (replacement cost vs. appraised value), and traffic safety investments ($1 million for speed controls, considered insufficient by some). - A motion to approve the proposed budget was made by Commissioner Siegel, seconded, and passed unanimously (8-0). Rezoning Case: I-10 East Corridor Plan Amendment (Item 12) - Request to change land use designation from Urban Residential and Community Commercial to C2 (Community Commercial) on a 0.5-acre parcel, to allow commercial development such as convenience stores, medical offices, or auto service. Sixteen notifications sent; no public support or opposition registered officially outside of the hearing. - Four residents spoke in opposition: Joe Moss, Emilia Peacock, Kent Spillan, and another. Concerns included: incompatible adjacent residential neighborhood (Paloma community), narrow streets, lack of traffic calming, drainage stress, potential for a 24-hour gas station or liquor store, and disruption of the "buffer" between I-10 and homes. Speakers emphasized the need to protect the residential character and mentioned the ongoing "San Antonio Tomorrow" comprehensive plan. - The applicant (representative Hernán Jaramio of Bain Medina Bain?) described the property as part of a planned development (MXD) approved in 2009, with existing commercial zoning on the front and rear strips but a residential strip in the middle. He stated no specific development plan yet; the request is simply to rezone to C2 to facilitate sale. He noted that a prior special-use permit for a car wash was withdrawn after community opposition. - Commissioners questioned whether C2 would allow uses like convenience stores without gas stations, and discussed potential alcohol restrictions. A motion to postpone to the next meeting (September 23, 2026) by Commissioner Bustamante failed (3-5: Bustamante, Oren, Siegel in favor; Suzuki, Cooper, Miller, Wallester, Peck opposed). A motion to deny by Commissioner Siegel also failed (2-6: Siegel, Wallester in favor; Suzuki, Cooper, Miller, Oren, Bustamante, Peck opposed). A motion to approve by Commissioner Cooper succeeded (5-3: Suzuki, Cooper, Wallester, Siegel, Peck in favor; Miller, Oren, Bustamante opposed). The rezoning was approved. Rezoning Case: Eastside Community Plan Amendment (Item 13) - Request to change a 40-50 year old parcel from C2 (Community Commercial) to IDZ (Industrial Development Zone) to allow light industrial uses, primarily for parking and future permanent structures for the San Antonio Rodeo. The property is adjacent to a golf course and industrial uses, with a residential neighborhood to the east. Staff recommended denial, citing the need for a transition buffer. - Applicant Ken Brown (representing property owner and Brown McDonald Association) stated that the neighborhood association was consulted via monthly meetings and that the rodeo needs additional year-round space. He submitted an updated site plan showing the buffer area, but commissioners expressed uncertainty about whether the buffer would be maintained. - No public speakers registered. - Commissioner Siegel requested a letter of support from the community, noting past passionate opposition to similar changes. A motion to postpone to September 23, 2026, by Commissioner Siegel was seconded and passed (5-3: Siegel, Cooper, Suzuki, Miller, Bustamante in favor; Wallester, Oren, Peck opposed). The item is continued to the next meeting. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. - FY2027 Budget (Item 15): Approved unanimously (8-0). The budget includes $90 million in reductions, property tax increase of 3.5%, and $39 million in fee increases, with a target to close the $158 million deficit and achieve a $48.9 million fund balance by FY2028. - I-10 East Corridor Rezoning (Item 12): Approved (5-3). The property will be rezoned to C2. No specific development plan is associated; future uses will require compliance with C2 regulations. - Eastside Rezoning (Item 13): Postponed to the September 23, 2026 Planning Commission meeting, pending a letter of community support. - Meeting adjourned at 3:32 PM.

The Dallas City Council convened on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 9:26 AM in Council Chambers, with Mayor Eric L. Johnson presiding and a quorum present. The meeting included opening remarks, a prayer by Councilmember Gracie, a special presentation honoring South Oak Cliff High School Principal Dr. Willie Fred Johnson for achieving an A-rated campus from an F, and public comments. The council addressed a consent agenda, several pulled items, zoning cases, and public hearings. Notable discussions centered on affordable housing, the living wage policy, sports event subsidies, IT contracts, and tax increment financing. The meeting adjourned at 3:11 PM after a closed session. Consent Calendar - Items 2-5, 8, 10, 11, 13-20, 23-31, and 33 were adopted unanimously as the consent agenda. These included routine approvals such as grant acceptances, contract awards, property sales, and ordinance amendments. - Items pulled for individual consideration: 6, 7, 9, 12, 21, 22, 32, and 34. Public Comments & Testimony - Chloe Charles urged the council to fund Flock cameras, expressing distrust in police and warning of civil liberties risks. - Ron Segal discussed immigration policy, blaming Republican administrations for Central American migration. - Laura Green (District 13) opposed the Preston Royal development, citing a petition with over 4,800 signatures and 91% opposition from blue-card voters, citing loss of morning sun and inadequate setback. - Ramaya Ross called for a full investigation into the death of Daniel Irvin, an 18-year-old Black swimmer, questioning the official accidental drowning ruling. - Dolores Phillips (on agenda item 35) raised concerns about board and commission duties, alleging misconduct by police and the city. - Anam Mantharin (Bridge Homeless Recovery Center) and Christina Cavalier (Salvation Army) spoke in support of agenda item 8, reporting that they had exceeded performance goals by 200-300% in sheltering and housing unhoused individuals. - Marcus Wood and David Carranza (both on agenda item 16) urged the council to ensure the Hickory Creek floodplain study leads to actual improvements, noting historic underinvestment in the Cleaburg area (0.17% of 2006 bond, 0.20% of 2012, 0.43% of 2017, 1.54% of 2024) and a 2022 incident where residents required rescue. - Jethro Washington, John Mallian, Arash Farasat, Rosemary Kurtz, Stephanie Drenka, Jessica Linvey, Ari Starostin, Anita Nunez, Maria Garza, Liz Mendoza, Brenda Gurumorthy (16 speakers total on item 36) opposed changes to the living wage policy, arguing it would harm low-wage workers and that savings were minimal compared to moral costs. Some identified as union members or socialists. Discussion Items - Agenda Item 6 (Greenleaf Ventures – Lake June development): Councilmember Mendelssohn expressed concerns about reducing total homes from 125 to 95 while increasing affordable units from 20% to 30% (25 to 29 units), questioning the city's per-unit ARPA contribution rising from $14,834 to $19,518. Staff explained the change was due to Dallas County acquiring half the site for a government center. Mendelssohn voted no; the item passed with one dissent. - Agenda Item 7 (Trinity West PFC – 136 mixed-income units): Councilmember Mendelssohn opposed, arguing the city had approved every PFC and was eroding the tax base. Councilmember Cadena supported the project as needed for West Dallas. The item passed with one dissent. - Agenda Item 9 (State Fair Classic football game subsidy): The council debated increasing the city's annual payment from $150,000 (total) to $500,000 ($250,000 per school) for Grambling State and Prairie View A&M. Councilmember Mendelssohn questioned the 233% increase and lack of justification. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Johnson and others noted the game's economic impact ($11.3 million in 2025) and equity compared to the Texas-OU game ($1 million). Councilmember Blair criticized the city for failing to pay the 2025 game on time. The item passed with two dissents (Mendelssohn, Ridley). - Agenda Item 12 (City Store lease): Councilmember Mendelssohn opposed, arguing the city could outsource surplus disposal rather than lease space. The item passed with three dissents (Mendelssohn, Ridley, Roth). - Agenda Item 21 (IT hardware purchase – $9.3 million): Councilmember Mendelssohn questioned the cost per unit ($4,600) and spending history. Councilmember Ridley criticized the expense. The item passed with four dissents (Mendelssohn, Roth, Blackman, Ridley). - Agenda Item 22 (911 system upgrade – $10.35 million): Councilmember Mendelssohn expressed concern that the contract had expired three months prior. Staff explained it was in a grace period with AT&T. The item passed. - Agenda Item 32 (DFW Hyatt Regency purchase – $193.65 million): Councilmember Blackman asked about revenue sharing, but airport officials cited federal restrictions. Councilmember Ridley inquired about the business case. The item passed. - Agenda Item 34 (DFW Airport code of rules): Deferred to September 23 due to improper noticing. - Agenda Item 36 (Living Wage Policy amendment): After extensive public testimony and debate, Councilmember West offered a substitute motion to freeze the rate at $23.06 (instead of increasing to $23.31), raise the applicability threshold to contracts over $300,000, limit to competitively solicited labor-intensive service contracts, standardize contract term to 3 years + 2 one-year renewals, and require review every two years. Councilmember Roth moved to raise the threshold to $1 million, which was defeated 1-13. The main substitute motion passed with two dissents (Roth, Mendelssohn). - Zoning and Public Hearings: - Z2 remanded to City Plan Commission by request of Mayor Pro Tem. - Z5 deferred to September 23. - Z6 held under advisement until October 7 for environmental review. - Z15 deferred to September 23 for boundary discussions. - PH1 deferred to a future public hearing for ceremonial street naming. - PH2 (West Davis Senior Apartments) and PH3 (West Davis Family Apartments) were approved unanimously, with Councilmember West encouraging three-bedroom units. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Adopted. - Agenda Item 6: Approved with one no (Mendelssohn). - Agenda Item 7: Approved with one no (Mendelssohn). - Agenda Item 9: Approved with two nos (Mendelssohn, Ridley). - Agenda Item 12: Approved with three nos (Mendelssohn, Ridley, Roth). - Agenda Item 21: Approved with four nos (Mendelssohn, Roth, Blackman, Ridley). - Agenda Item 22: Approved. - Agenda Item 32: Approved. - Agenda Item 34: Deferred to September 23, 2026. - Agenda Item 36: Substitute motion approved with two nos (Roth, Mendelssohn). Roth's amendment to raise threshold to $1 million defeated 1-13. - Z2: Remanded to CPC. - Z5: Deferred to September 23. - Z6: Held under advisement to October 7. - Z15: Deferred to September 23. - PH1: Deferred to a future public hearing. - PH2 and PH3: Approved. - PH4: Approved (re-adoption of youth program standards). - Appointments: Margaret H. Patterson Pearson appointed to the Commission on Disabilities. - Closed Session: Held on item 38 (White Rock Boathouse litigation) from 1:38 PM to 2:35 PM. - Open Microphone: One remaining speaker (Stephanie Ross) spoke on alleged unfair prosecution of former Dallas police officer Melvin Williams.

The Metropolitan Council of East Baton Rouge Parish met on September 9, 2026, in the council chamber. The meeting opened with a special presentation honoring the Ablaze Youth Choir for their musical achievements and community impact. Following routine business, the council considered numerous consent agenda items, condemnations, contracts, and appointments. Special Presentation - Councilmember presented a certificate of celebration to the Ablaze Youth Choir, based at United Christian Faith Ministries, recognizing their exceptional talent and dedication to inspiring youth through gospel music. The choir, under Minister Mark Ellis Jr., has over 80 members aged 12–22 and recently won a Stellar Award. Minister Ellis expressed gratitude and highlighted the choir's mission to change the narrative for young people in Baton Rouge. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes from August 26, 2026, August 31, 2026 (special meeting), and September 1, 2026 (Airport Commission) – motion carried. - Introductions of ordinances (items 2–15) including a cooperative endeavor agreement for the Capitol House, a franchise with Conterra Networks, a library millage rate of 9.5 mills for ten years, and several condemnations – all introduced without opposition. Public Comments & Testimony - No separate public comment period was held. Members of the public spoke on specific items via email: one email opposed item 82, another opposed item 83, and three emails supported Nick Lenata's appointment to the Downtown Development District. No oral testimony was heard from the floor. Discussion Items - Condemnations: The council initially struggled with numbering discrepancies between the printed agenda and the electronic agenda. After corrections, the council approved a schedule for 14 condemnation properties: proceed with items 54, 59, 66; two-week delay on item 65; 30-day delays on items 52 and 53; 60-day delay on item 61; and 90-day delays on items 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64. Motion carried. - Contracts and Resolutions: Numerous items were approved unanimously, including: - Item 69: Refund of $291,398 to Walgreen for erroneously remitted sales tax on non-taxable prescription drugs. - Item 70: Refund of $275,672.77 to Cardinal Health 108 LLC for sales tax on a resale exemption. - Item 71: Settlement of $25,450 for Monica Hollands claim. - Item 72: Settlement of $35,000 for Justin Thornton auto accident claim. - Item 73: Settlement of $21,200.65 for sewer backup claim. - Item 74: Rescinding a notice to attend and decision from 2025-2026. - Items 75–77: Airport-related approvals for taxiway F reconstruction, TSA agreement, and FAA grant application. - Item 78: Professional engineering services for Mickins Road capacity project ($1,189,458 addition). - Item 79: Professional services for Westridge Drive subsurface improvements ($236,087). - Item 80: Amendment to asphalt restoration contract ($50,000 addition). - Item 81: Amendment to building maintenance contract ($22,096.80 addition). - Item 82: Additional design services for fire department SARs building ($9,500). - Item 83: Supplemental agreement for Perkins Overpass project ($7,750). - Items 85–91: Community development contract amendments and extensions, including item 87 deleted. - Item 92: Contract with Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation to build single-family homes on Hollywood Street for $550,000. - Item 93: Waiver of land use regulations to allow temporary housing after a state of emergency. - Appointments: - Item 94: Reappointed Justin Riddle to Brownsfield Fire Civil Service Board. - Item 95: Appointed Nick Lenata to Downtown Development District. - Items 96–100: Reappointed five members to Fire Protection District No. 1 advisory board. - Items 101–105: Deferred DDD appointments to September 23, 2026, pending mayor's recommendations. - Item 106: Deferred Capitol Area Human Services District appointment to October 14, 2026. - Change Orders and Final Acceptances: Approved for BRPD roof, library chiller, and Plank Road corridor projects. - Low Bid Acceptances: Approved for fire alarm replacement ($400,000), Floor Nell Drive sidewalk ($526,540), and Glasgow Avenue sidewalks ($950,089). - Emergency Items: Declared emergency and approved: - Item 115: Corrected Montesano Bayou drainage project amount to $2,399,760.80. - Item 116: Rescinded old resolution for blood products contract. - Item 117: New contract with The Blood Center for EMS blood products not to exceed $235,000. Key Outcomes - All consent agenda items, introductions, and resolutions were approved unanimously. - Condemnation schedule was set with various delays as requested by district council members. - All appointments and reappointments were approved, except for DDD (deferred) and Capitol Area Human Services District (deferred). - Emergency items were passed to correct funding amounts and secure a blood products contract for EMS. - The meeting adjourned after the condemnation item was resolved.

The New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises met in hybrid format on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Hearing Room 3 at 250 Broadway. Chair Farah N. Louis presided. Present were Councilmembers Carr, Encarnación, Farías, Salaam, Sanchez, Schulman, and Thomas-Henry; Felder was medically absent. Councilmembers Santosuosso, Won, Restler, Feliz, and Riley also attended. The subcommittee approved three land-use applications by roll call and held hearings on six rezoning proposals, all of which were laid over without a subcommittee vote. Votes and Land Use Actions - LU 0120-2026 (815 Hutchinson River Parkway Rezoning, Bronx): Approved. The zoning map amendment changes an M1-2 District to a C8-3 District to allow large retail establishments of 10,000 square feet or larger at an existing commercial center in Ferry Point. The district's councilmember expressed support for the application. - LU 0121-2026 / LU 0122-2026 (862-868 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn): Approved. The actions change an M1-1 District to an M1-4/R6A District, establish a Special Mixed Use District (MX-4), and map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area. The applicant proposes approximately 74 apartments, with approximately 19 permanently affordable. - LU 0125-2026 / LU 0126-2026 (132 Melrose Street, Brooklyn): Approved with modifications and referred to the City Planning Commission. The actions change an M1-1 District to an M1-2A/R6A District, establish MX-22, and map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area. The applicant proposes approximately 18 apartments, with approximately 5 permanently affordable. - LU 0123-2026 / LU 0124-2026 (158-06 Northern Boulevard Rezoning, Queens): Laid over; no vote taken. - The final roll call for the three approved items was 8 in the affirmative and 1 medical absence. After an initial 7-vote count, the chair reopened the vote so Councilmember Schulman could vote, making the final count 8. Public Comments & Testimony - Fort Hamilton Mews (T2026-2499 / T2026-2500): Sarah Penenberg of SEIU Local 32BJ announced that the union was about to sign a neutrality agreement with the developer ensuring prevailing wage and good jobs. Veronica Urovoski and Logan Ferris of Open New York spoke in favor; Ferris said the project would more than triple affordable homes built in that community district from 2014 to 2025 and cited the city's estimated need for 700,000 new homes over the next decade. - 21-31 46th Avenue (LU 0127-2026 / LU 0128-2026): Numerous residents and property owners testified in opposition. Concerns included an outdated 70-unit environmental review revised to 84 units, flooding risks from cellar parking and excavation, shadows on neighboring low-rise buildings, traffic and congestion, a severe open-space deficit in the area, loss of the TD Bank site, and a notarized petition signed by more than 100 surrounding property owners. Several speakers asked for a contextual lower-rise building and stronger community benefits. - Sojourner Truth - Mapes (T2026-2503 / T2026-2504): Karan Banks, deputy political director of 32BJ, opposed the rezoning because Phipps Houses had not signed a new development agreement covering prevailing wage for future workers. April Hurley of TIME Action, Bronx Community Board 6 District Manager Raphael Mori Panet, board members Laura James and Bridget Brantley, and tenants including Eugenia Austin testified against the application, citing Phipps's management record, HPD violations, relocation and recertification failures, and calling for co-op/homeownership, parking, small-business space, and community input. Councilmember Felice said he had not decided how he would vote. - Park Avenue Brooklyn, 289 Kent Avenue, and 69-67 108th Street: No members of the public signed up to testify. Discussion Items - Park Avenue Brooklyn (T2026-2501 / T2026-2502), preconsidered: The applicant, a coalition of property owners and Jewish educational institutions, proposed rezoning five blocks from legacy manufacturing districts to M1-4/R6-1 and M1-4/R7D with MX-4 and a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area. The proposal includes about 391 residential units, 98 to 117 permanently affordable units under MIH Options 1 and 3, more than 2,500 private school seats across four educational facilities, and ground-floor retail. Councilmember Restler strongly supported the project, called it a tremendous community investment, and criticized the Department of Transportation's environmental review process. No public testimony was given. Laid over. - 289 Kent Avenue (T2026-2507 / T2026-2508), preconsidered: Webb Holdings LLC proposes changing an M3-1 District to an M1-3A/R7X District and an M1-2A District with MX-8 and MIH to build approximately 278 apartments. Chair Lewis described the affordable requirement as 70 to 83 permanently affordable units; the applicant's counsel later cited 56 to 83 depending on the MIH option selected. Councilmember Restler raised design transition and union-labor questions; the applicant said it had begun conversations with 32BJ and intended to move forward quickly. No public testimony. Laid over. - Fort Hamilton Mews (T2026-2499 / T2026-2500), preconsidered: 9305 5th Ave LLC proposes rezoning in Bay Ridge from R5B/R6B to R7X with a C2-4 overlay, yielding about 292 apartments and 88 income-restricted units under MIH Option 2. Councilmember Santosuosso expressed significant concerns about the project setting a precedent in the Bay Ridge Triangle and asked the applicant to withdraw until a community planning process was complete; the applicant declined. In response to community board feedback, the applicant presented a revised R7D design with a 115-foot height and a six-story street-wall base, and said it would not withdraw. If disapproved, the applicant stated it would pursue an appeals-board route or a January ULURP filing without council approval, potentially at greater density. Public testimony included 32BJ's announced neutrality agreement and two supporters. Laid over. - 21-31 46th Avenue (LU 0127-2026 / LU 0128-2026): 21-31 Holdings LLC proposes an R7X rezoning with a C2-5 overlay in Long Island City for an 11-story, roughly 84-unit mixed-use building. Roughly 21 units would be permanently affordable under MIH; the applicant emphasized that 52 of the 84 units have two or three bedrooms, and that Community Board 2 voted 32-2 in favor. Councilmember Won noted more than 30 emails of opposition and only two in support, and pressed the applicant on affordability, ground-floor community uses, early childhood space, greenery, and engagement beyond the community board. The applicant committed to further conversations but had not programmed ground-floor tenants. Laid over. - 69-67 108th Street (T2026-2505 / T2026-2506), preconsidered: The applicant proposes an R7D rezoning with a C2-4 overlay in Forest Hills for an 11-story building with 59 units, about 15 affordable under MIH Option 1, and ground-floor commercial or community facility space. The applicant reported Community Board 6 approval by a 36-4 vote and noted the site is near transit. Councilmember Schulman asked about deeper affordability, ground-floor tenants, community board design recommendations, and nearby McDonald Park improvements; the applicant said it would consider park funding. No public testimony. Laid over. - Sojourner Truth - Mapes (T2026-2503 / T2026-2504), preconsidered: Phipps Houses, a nonprofit affordable-housing developer, proposes two Bronx rezonings from R7-1 to R8 with MIH to build 100 percent affordable housing: 159 units at the Sojourner Truth site and 298 units at the Mapes Court site. Fifty percent of Sojourner units would be reserved for relocated Mapes Court tenants. More than 60 percent of Sojourner units and 55 percent of Mapes units would be two- or three-bedroom homes, with affordability ranging from 30 percent to 80 percent AMI. The Mapes site would include about 15,000 square feet of community facility space, with a potential YMCA conversation scheduled. Bronx Community Board 6 voted no, and 32BJ and several community speakers opposed the application. Laid over. Key Outcomes - LU 0120, LU 0121/0122, and LU 0125/0126 were approved by the subcommittee and referred to the Land Use Committee; LU 0125/0126 were approved with modifications. - All six hearing items were laid over, meaning the subcommittee took no vote on them. - Councilmember Santosuosso announced the Bay Ridge Triangle Community Plan and stated the Fort Hamilton Mews applicant declined to withdraw. - The Fort Hamilton Mews applicant indicated possible fallback legal and expedited ULURP options if the rezoning is not approved. - Councilmember Felice and Councilmember Won signaled that continued community negotiations would be needed before the Sojourner Truth-Mapes and 21-31 46th Avenue proposals could advance.

The Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee met on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 9:35 AM in the Council Chamber. Chair Maritza Rivera presided, with members Dionne Foster, Eddie Lin, and Alexis Mercedes Rinck present; Council President Joy Hollingsworth was excused. The meeting covered three informational briefings: an update on the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) 2025 investments, the Seattle Public Library (SPL) levy implementation and Seattle Reads 2026, and the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy Year 1 implementation. No public comments were made. The meeting adjourned at 10:53 AM. Consent Calendar - None. The agenda was adopted without objection. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public registered to speak either remotely or in person. Discussion Items 1. Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) Update on 2025 Investments Interim Director Oksana Bilobran presented an update on the $4 million investment from the Seattle Shield initiative. She reported a significant increase in ICE enforcement in Seattle, noting 477 arrests within city limits from January to July 2026 (approximately 2–3 arrests per day). The investment focuses on removal defense (legal services doubled to $2.6 million), rapid response (small grants up to $10,000 for 28 organizations), backfill for federal funding cuts (naturalization, English classes), and support for key sectors (workers, small businesses, families with children in Seattle Public Schools). Partnerships include the Alliance for Education for emergency assistance (e.g., towing expenses) and the Seattle Foundation to leverage philanthropic dollars. Director Bilobran emphasized flexibility and noted that listening sessions will inform future pivots. Councilmember Foster asked about unmet needs, particularly for housing and healthcare, and the towing assistance program. Director Bilobran confirmed multiple funding streams and ongoing discussions with the Mayor’s Office and SPD. Councilmember Rinck thanked voters for the Seattle Shield initiative and asked about measuring impact; Director Bilobran said data will be available by year-end. Rinck also raised concerns about a chilling effect on services and the need for virtual options. Director Lin inquired about regional coordination; Bilobran noted King County’s $2 million investment and ongoing collaboration at state and county levels. 2. Seattle Public Library (SPL) Levy Update and Seattle Reads 2026 Chief Librarian Tom Fay presented an update on the library levy, which passed with 75% voter support in August 2026, authorizing $479.8 million over seven years (2027–2033). Key investment areas: hours and access, early learning, programming, collections, building maintenance, and technology. Staff are developing the operations plan in coordination with the Library Board, with a biannual budget to be approved in December 2026. Fay committed to quarterly levy reports and an annual impact report. Stasha Brandon, Literature and Humanities Program Manager, introduced Seattle Reads 2026: the citywide book club selects True Biz by Sara Novic, a novel about Deaf culture. Seattle Reads is the original “One Book, One City” program, now replicated in over 400 communities. Events with the author will be held September 25–27 at Central Library, Ballard Library, Hugo House, and Southeast Seattle Senior Center, with ASL interpretation and captioning. Councilmember Foster shared her positive experience with the audiobook; Councilmember Rinck expressed excitement about attending events. 3. Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy Year 1 Implementation Update Director Dwane Chappelle provided an update on the first year of the FEPP levy. The levy oversight committee has been confirmed (12 appointees) and will begin monthly meetings in October. An interdepartmental team (IDT) of cabinet members from all levy-funded departments is forming to coordinate implementation. Programmatic updates: - Ready to Start: Home visiting, health investments, child care assistance with increased co-pay support (effective 9/1/2026), and the 11th year of Seattle Preschool Program with a new full-year, 10-hour day model at 35 locations. - Ready to Learn: School-based investments were sustained for one year to avoid service gaps; five additional schools will be added (announcement later this month). - Ready to Launch: Path to Trades non-college RFP to be released this fall. Chappelle noted all calendar year investments are on track, and school year contracts are signed or near completion. Councilmember Rinck praised the IDT approach and asked about RFP timelines; Chappelle indicated the team is finalizing language with legal and will issue as soon as possible. Councilmember Lin asked about alignment with Seattle Public Schools’ new superintendent, especially on equity gaps and public safety. Chappelle noted ongoing collaboration and the superintendent’s focus on data-driven tutoring and mentoring. Chair Rivera highlighted her positive conversations with the superintendent and emphasized the importance of early literacy and math interventions. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken; all items were informational briefings. - OIRA will return with impact data by end of 2026 and a list of 28 community grant recipients. - SPL will provide quarterly levy reports and annual impact reports; the operations plan will be presented to the Library Board in December 2026. - DEEL will continue reporting on FEPP levy implementation; the Path to Trades RFP is expected this fall, and the oversight committee begins October 2026. - The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2026 at 9:30 AM.

The New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings, chaired by Councilmember Pierina Ana Sanchez, held a hearing on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to conduct oversight of Mayor Zoran Mamdani's comprehensive housing plan, "Block by Block: The Housing Plan for a New Era." The committee also heard testimony on seven proposed local laws, including the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA, Int. 0905), the reauthorization of the J51 tax incentive (Int. 1015), and bills addressing office conversions, property owner identification, permit sign-offs, street numbers, and electronic property registration. The hearing featured extensive testimony from administration officials, council members, advocates, tenants, property owners, and labor representatives. All introductions were heard and laid over by the committee. Public Comments & Testimony - Support for COPA (Int. 0905): A broad coalition of tenant organizers, community land trusts (e.g., East New York CLT, Queens CLT, Chinatown CLT), legal aid groups (NYLAG, Communities Resist), affordable housing developers (VOA, Goddard Riverside), and advocacy organizations (ANHD, UHAB, New Economy Project, ARP, LiveOn NY) urged passage, arguing it would preserve affordable housing, combat speculation, and empower tenants. Testifiers shared stories of living with mold, vermin, broken elevators, and landlord neglect, emphasizing that COPA would give qualified nonprofits a first right of refusal to purchase distressed buildings. - Opposition to COPA: Small Property Owners of New York (SPONY) and individual testifier Christopher Johnson opposed COPA, calling it unconstitutional and arguing it would penalize owners financially distressed by city policies (rent freezes, high taxes). SPONY questioned HPD's capacity to handle up to 2,100 potential eligible transactions per year. - Support for J51 Reauthorization (Int. 1015): Urban Green Council, Climate Works for All Coalition, and co-op/condo advocates (CNYC) stressed the importance of J51 for helping buildings comply with Local Law 97, citing that over 300,000 residential units in co-ops and condos could benefit. - Support for Electronic Registration (Preconsidered bill): SPONY and others thanked Councilmember Banks for the bill, saying it would modernize a paper-based system that often loses documents. - Support for Office of Conversion Assistance (Int. 0178): Open New York and others supported the bill, noting that office-to-residential conversions have already yielded 10,000 new housing permits this year and that an assistance office would streamline the process. - Concerns from Labor: IBEW Local 3, Plumbers Local 1, Mason Tenders District Council, and Local 79 testified in support of the Construction Justice Act (CJA) and project labor agreements, urging that affordable housing construction provide family-sustaining wages and benefits, not poverty wages through labor brokers. They highlighted cases where workers on subsidized projects earned $21-$22/hour without benefits. - Concerns from Senior and Homeless Advocates: Urban Pathways, New Destiny Housing, Supportive Housing Network, and LiveOn NY called for more deeply affordable units (12,000/year for ELI households) and supportive housing preservation. They noted that 73% of extremely low-income households are rent-burdened and that seniors are the fastest-growing homeless population. - Concerns from Property Owners: SPONY opposed Int. 0649 (posting owner sign), arguing it would invade privacy and that current HPD registration already provides emergency contacts. Discussion Items - Oversight of the Mayor’s Housing Plan: Chair Sanchez and council members questioned HPD Commissioner Adolfo Levy and DOB Commissioner Amant Tagani on implementation, staffing, enforcement, and preservation strategies. Key topics included: - Staffing and Capacity: HPD reported 993 enforcement staff (11% increase over 5 years) and 353 development staff (19% increase), with 41 new positions allocated for the housing plan. DOB had 604 inspectors (7% vacancy rate) with 25 in pipeline. Both commissioners expressed confidence in morale but acknowledged competition with private sector pay. - Enforcement Tools: The administration described "Fix the City" initiative targeting 10 distressed portfolios, new OCA directive expediting 7A cases (hearings within 5 days), and coordinated interagency inspections. HPD committed to investigating every unit-specific heat complaint this winter and launching a new reinspection scheduling system. - Preservation vs. Production: The plan aims to build 200,000 new affordable units and preserve 200,000 existing units over 10 years. HPD highlighted the "Tools" program for stabilizing at-risk buildings, a $100 million city-backed insurance program (22 responses to RFEI), and expansion of the J51 tax abatement. - COPA Implementation: HPD estimated 2,100 buildings currently eligible under the revised distress criteria (rolling code violations). Commissioner Levy noted that HPD would need rulemaking for qualified purchasers list, penalties, and tenant notification, and that financing would rely on existing programs (PLP, Article 11) plus potential partnerships with CDFIs. - ADU and Conversion Progress: DOB reported 27 ADU applications in pipeline (plus 17 expected), with 48% of basement/seller conversions. The pre-approved plan model has not yet been used due to lot constraints. DOB will finalize rules for manufactured ADUs by end of 2026. - Rent-Stabilized Vacancies: HPD questioned DHCR data showing 57,000 vacant rent-stabilized units, noting that the Housing Vacancy Survey (due February 2027) will provide deeper analysis and that many vacancies are temporary (turnover, lease-up). - Homelessness and Vouchers: HPD reported converting 2,000 EHV families to TBRA, and moving 1,700 from NYCHA to HPD's home ARP. For the remaining 3,400 NYCHA EHV families, NYCHA is offering PACT/Section 8 applications, but Councilmember Restler criticized the slow pace. - Intro 0905 (COPA): Councilmember Nurse, the sponsor, highlighted that 62% of New Yorkers (5 million people) cannot meet basic cost of living, and that COPA would disrupt the cycle of landlord neglect by giving nonprofits first right to purchase distressed buildings. Commissioner Levy expressed administration support, aligning with preservation goals. - Intro 0178 (Office of Conversion Assistance): Councilmember Epstein explained the bill would help developers navigate complex conversions and report data. Commissioner Levy and DOB supported the intent. - Intro 0649 (Owner Identification Sign): Councilmember Restler's bill requires posting beneficial owners. SPONY opposed, citing privacy; administration supported goals but wanted enforcement discussions. - Intro 0717 (Permit Sign-Off Notices): Councilmember Salaam's bill would require DOB to notify owners of open permits every 90 days. DOB supported intent but cautioned that too-frequent notices (every 2 weeks near expiration) might be ignored. - Intro 0860 (Street Number Enforcement): Councilmember Brewer's bill would allow HPD and FDNY to inspect and enforce street number display. Administration supported, noting coordination with DCP on rules. - Intro 1015 (J51 Reauthorization): Chair Sanchez's bill extends J51 for 10 years, raises assessed value threshold to $60,000, and allows HPD to update covered projects. Administration strongly supported and urged quick passage. - Preconsidered Bill (Electronic Registration): Councilmember Banks' bill would allow online property registration with electronic signatures. HPD supported and is already seeking a vendor. Key Outcomes - All seven introductions were heard and laid over by the committee (no final vote). The minutes confirm hearings held and laid over for Ints 0178, 0649, 0717, 0860, 0905, 1015, and the preconsidered bill. - Oversight hearing filed (no further action required). - Administration commitments: HPD and DOB committed to follow up on specific data (e.g., inspector tenure, 420C utilization, permit sign-off open permits on 1-4 family homes). - Next steps: The legislative task force on housing code reforms will launch later in September. HPD will release draft Housing Vacancy Survey report in February 2027. The Bronx plan community engagement begins late fall 2026. DOB will finalize ADU rules by end of 2026.

The Houston City Council convened on September 9, 2026, to address routine business, public hearings, and notable appointments within the Houston Fire Department. The meeting featured an invocation, a presentation on fire department progress, two historic appointments, public comments on various topics, and council member announcements. Public Comments & Testimony - Kevin Painter: expressed concerns about contract violations and whistleblower issues, alleging that the city cut a proceed check regarding a property and requested an investigation. - Elizabeth Marquez: voiced concern over a news story about S&P giving Houston's utility fund a negative outlook, contradicting earlier budget assurances. - Jack Valinski: requested a review of the utility fund outlook. - Kimberly Williams: (no specific position captured in transcript) - Bobby Haskett: (no specific position captured) - George LeBlanche: requested support for a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on October 25, 2026, and highlighted the need for peace and positive community relations while criticizing anti-Islam rhetoric and ICE actions. - Brody Washington: spoke on behalf of his grandson in CPS custody, seeking help to regain visitation or adoption rights after his daughter's rights were terminated. - Laura Gallier: praised Councilmember Joe Pasarella for addressing a school zone safety issue, criticized homeless encampments on hike-and-bike trails, and encouraged police to engage more with the community. Discussion Items - Fire Department Appointments and Report: Chief Tom Munoz reported that the department has reduced attrition from a negative 440 to positive 252, reduced overtime by 94%, and eliminated brownouts since July 1, 2026. He also highlighted the expansion of the paramedic program from 25 graduates per year to 200. Mayor Whitmire noted that 800 firefighters have been added since his administration began. The council unanimously approved the appointments of: - Executive Assistant Chief Marion Span (first Black woman in this role in HFD history, 32 years of service). - Fire Marshal Byron Robinson (30 years of service, native Houstonian, trained over 20,000 people in fire warden training, created a web-based training system during COVID). - Public Hearing on Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA): The first of two required hearings for the 4th amendment to the SPA with Spring Creek Utility District. The city will annex additional territory for limited purposes, levy a one-cent sales tax split evenly with the district, with no residents currently in the area. No public speakers. Second hearing set for September 16, 2026, with council approval anticipated October 7, 2026. - Public Hearing on Reserve at Ella Housing Tax Credits: A resolution of no objection for 4% housing tax credits to support a $78 million family housing development in District B (near Ella Boulevard and Rush Creek Drive). The project requires zero city funding. No public speakers. Council approval anticipated. - Music Advisory Board Appointments: Council approved the appointment of members to the Music Advisory Board. Councilmember Thomas highlighted the board's role in solidifying Houston's music scene. - Consent Agenda: Items 5 through 19 were considered. Item 5 was removed for separate consideration and passed. Item 10 (Montrose Center housing grant for persons with AIDS) and Item 19 (tagged by Councilmember Thomas) were removed. Item 22 (MUD annexation) passed after Councilmember Thomas withdrew his tag following clarification from Public Works about floodplain data. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval of the minutes from September 1–2, 2026. - Unanimous approval of the fire department appointments (Executive Assistant Chief Marion Span and Fire Marshal Byron Robinson). - Public hearings closed for the SPA and housing tax credits (both without opposition). - Consent agenda items passed with the exception of those removed for separate consideration (Items 5, 10, 19). - Councilmember Pollard raised concerns about the termination clause in the city's lease with HISD for Grimes Park, which allows termination with 60 days' notice for any reason. He requested a citywide review of similar contracts. Mayor Whitmire agreed and directed the city attorney's office to review existing contracts. - Councilmember Evans-Shabazz noted that the city is working to relocate the football team affected by the Grimes Park closure and will be more diligent about park investments in the future. - Councilmember Martinez highlighted the successful Lindale Park parade and the upcoming District H Health Fair. - Councilmember Flickinger invited council to the Venus Aerospace test stand announcement at the spaceport. - Councilmember Alcorn announced the departure of staffer Katie Shelton after 10 years. Announcements & Upcoming Events - 9/11 Remembrance: The city will honor Kaitlyn Katuzie at Market Square on Friday, September 11, 2026. - District H: Infant formula drop-off at MD Anderson YMCA through September; Health Fair at Melrose Community Center on September 12. - District D: Museum Park Super Neighborhood meeting on September 9; TSU Health and Wellness Facility groundbreaking on September 10. - District B: Be Successful Job Fair on September 10 at Carl Walker Jr. Multi-Service Center. - District G: Coffee with the Community on September 24 at Little Ray. - District F: National Night Out pre-event on September 22; HISD community meetings starting October 15; Walloom Park renaming petition due October 31. - District K: Tech Link grand opening at Vincent Branch Library on October 3; National Night Out on October 6. - District A: Spring Branch Trail virtual meeting on September 9; Coffee with the Cops on September 10; Library Foundation book sale on September 12. - Crime Stoppers: National Day of Remembrance on September 27 at 6 p.m.

On September 9, 2026, the New York City Council Committees on Technology, Public Safety, Fire and Emergency Management, and Governmental Operations held a joint oversight hearing to examine the seven-hour 911 system outage that occurred on August 18, 2026. The outage affected the Bronx Public Safety Answering Center 2 (PSAC 2) and left approximately 113 unique callers without service. City officials from the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI), FDNY, and NYPD testified, and two members of the public provided testimony. The hearing focused on the root cause, response timeline, lack of public notification, redundancies, and accountability. Public Comments & Testimony - Jordan Rosenthal (Director of Advocacy at Community Access, leader of Correct Crisis Intervention Today coalition) advocated for a fully independent 911 system separate from the NYPD, citing best practices from Seattle and Austin. He noted that a University of Chicago Health Lab report recommends 911 centers be equal and separate from police and other agencies to improve clarity and outcomes. - Michelle Amp Lomanville and Beverly Lonmanville (health educators and former NYU lecturer, retired technology analyst) spoke on behalf of victims of Havana syndrome and anomalous health incidents, calling for protections against technological weaponization and requesting a meeting to discuss 911 system scanning concerns. Discussion Items - Timeline of the Outage: OTI Commissioner Lisa Galopter detailed that at 3:13 a.m. on August 18, 2026, after a routine Motorola firewall firmware upgrade at PSAC 2, calls began failing. The issue was first reported at 6:00 a.m. by an NYPD call taker, a ticket was filed at 6:40 a.m., and the city did not determine that 911 calls were affected until 9:30 a.m. The outage was resolved by 10:19 a.m. after rerouting all traffic to PSAC 1 in Brooklyn. - Call Impact Statistics: Of 5,489 total emergency calls during the disruption (including alarm company calls), 1,696 encountered issues. Of these, 742 were 911 calls, from 319 unique phone numbers. 206 of those callers eventually connected; 113 unique callers did not receive service. No deaths or injuries have been attributed to the outage. - Public Notification Failure: Multiple councilmembers criticized the lack of public alert during the outage. OTI acknowledged that because they only knew 911 calls were impacted for about 45 minutes before resolution, primary focus was on remediation, but they will revisit communication protocols. A separate text-to-911 outage in May 2026 (110 minutes, 12 callers affected) also lacked public notification beyond bounce-back messages. - Redundancy and Testing: The system has redundant architecture (PSAC 1 and PSAC 2 can each handle full volume), but the failure did not trigger automatic failover. Testing protocols failed to detect the session-timeout issue. OTI has implemented immediate manual monitoring and a freeze on new deployments pending a full root cause analysis. - Vendor Accountability: Motorola performed the upgrade and deemed it low risk, but the city did not independently verify. OTI stated it would be premature to assign liability until the root cause analysis is complete, though Motorola is contractually subject to service-level agreements and potential remedies. - Next-Gen 911: The city’s next-generation 911 modernization, initiated in 2020, is now expected to be completed in Q3 2027 (previously summer 2026). Commissioner Galopter committed to a disciplined review of the project. - Staffing: NYPD testified that 911 operator staffing is a top priority; overtime currently averages 32 hours per month per operator. The goal is to reach voluntary overtime only within three to six months. Key Outcomes - The committees will send a joint letter requesting additional information on unresolved questions, including the root cause analysis timeline, specific caller outcomes, and Motorola’s contractual liabilities. - OTI has instituted an immediate freeze on new system changes except critical updates, increased executive-level oversight, and daily interagency status meetings. - A full root cause analysis is ongoing, with no set deadline; Commissioner Galopter indicated it could take months. - The city will re-evaluate risk assessment criteria, change management procedures, and public notification policies with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) and the Notify NYC system. - Independent verification of Motorola’s findings and a review of alternative vendor options were raised as future considerations. - Councilmember Lincoln advocated for relocating the PSAC 1 facility from the Metrotech campus in downtown Brooklyn due to its negative impact on the neighborhood.

On September 9, 2026, the New York City Council Committee on Education, chaired by Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, met to consider and vote on Proposed Resolution 7-A, which calls on the New York State Legislature and Governor to pass legislation requiring a 9/11 curriculum in all New York schools. The meeting took place two days before the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Discussion Items - Chair Dinowitz opened by noting the significance of the 25th anniversary and the lack of a required 9/11 curriculum, leading to uneven coverage in schools. He urged support for the resolution, which proposes age-appropriate curriculum including core information on the events and global impact. - Councilmember Rita Joseph, a co-sponsor, shared a personal account of being a fifth-grade teacher on 9/11, describing how her class watched the towers fall live. She emphasized that a moment of silence is not enough and that a standardized curriculum is needed statewide, not just in New York City. She also noted existing resources from the DOE and 9/11 Memorial Museum but stressed the importance of state legislation. - The committee considered an amendment to the resolution (the specific amendment details were not provided in the transcript, but the minutes indicate the resolution was amended and adopted as Res. No. 7-A). Key Outcomes - The committee voted to approve the amended resolution (Res. No. 7-A) by a roll call vote of 12 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. Councilmember Shekar Krishnan was absent. - Affirmative: Dinowitz, Brewer, De La Rosa, Farías, Gutiérrez, Joseph, Lee, Louis, Narcisse, Schulman, Wong, Zhuang. - The resolution will now proceed to the full City Council for consideration.