The Public Meeting Index

The Bellevue City Council held a regular meeting on October 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included oral communications from the public, approval of the consent calendar, and a third public hearing on the Preliminary 2027-2028 Operating Budget and 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Program Plan. Approximately 45 speakers provided testimony during the public hearing, with additional comments during oral communications. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously (motion by Deputy Mayor Hamilton, second by Councilmember Newenhouse). Items included: - Minutes of October 13, 2026 - Resolution 10675: Declaring a water easement at 12505 NE Bellevue-Redmond Rd as surplus and setting a public hearing. - Resolution 10676: Declaring a portion of a utility easement at 15503 SE 27th Street as surplus and setting a public hearing. - Resolution 10677: Authorizing Amendment 1 to a professional services agreement with Yates, Wood & MacDonald, Inc., increasing the contract by $350,000 to a total not-to-exceed $1,600,000 and extending it two years for property management at Bayvue Village Apartments. - Resolution 10678: Authorizing a contract amendment with ARC Architects for $301,710 (total $2,008,805) for architectural and engineering services for the new Park Operations Facility. Public Comments & Testimony Oral Communications (prior to public hearing): - Multiple residents spoke about the proposed Maidenbauer South Reservoir Project at 96th Avenue and SE 7th. They expressed concerns about preserving the natural character of the site, long-term maintenance, and resident access during construction. Speakers requested the city preserve existing trees and vegetation, maintain open grassy areas, and commit to regular maintenance and a clear traffic management plan. - A representative from a Venture Crew (scouting) requested permission to sell hot cocoa during Snowflake Lane as a fundraiser to support youth activities. - Matthew Sadowski, a golfer, requested that the city reinvest approximately $1.2 million (about 2% of the $60.5 million Park Operations Facility budget) into the Bellevue Golf Course, improve landscaping around new buildings, and engage the golfing community. - Joe Kunzler urged the council to amend the legislative agenda to prevent individuals using an insanity defense from running for elected office, referencing a recent case. - Kamal Gala requested a non-parking zone near Southeast 42nd Lane to improve visibility and safety for senior residents. - Julie Copp opposed the state's middle housing land use code, stating it has led to overdevelopment and loss of tree canopy in her neighborhood without affordable outcomes. - Alex Zimmerman made extensive allegations against the council, claiming criminal behavior and misuse of power, and accused the city of fascism and genocide. Public Hearing on Preliminary 2027-2028 Operating Budget and 2027-2032 CIP: - Grand Connection Crossing: Multiple speakers expressed strong support, including Patrick Bannon (President/CEO, Bellevue Downtown Association), Sarah Langton (Executive Director, Friends of the Grand Connection), Tony Sprague (Bellevue Chamber), Linda Hofner (Vice President/General Manager of Spring District), Heather Trescas (former Parks Board Chair), and Brendan Lawrence (senior development manager, Ani Group). They cited economic benefits, regional connectivity, and the project's role as a generational legacy. David Bonnetin and Ann Coughlin expressed concerns about cost ($150–200 million) and priority, questioning whether it should be funded before neighborhood safety and traffic improvements. - Transportation Benefit District (TBD) and Sales Tax Increase: Kevin Wallace, Sheldon Apperman (partner/CFO, Mass Timber Development), and others supported the TBD with conditions from the Bellevue Chamber. Patty Mann, Barbara Braun (People for Climate Action), Heidi Dean, Ed Sun, Loretta Lopez, and others opposed the tax increase, arguing residents should vote on it and that the survey results do not support raising taxes for bicycle/pedestrian projects over congestion relief. - Climate Action and Building Decarbonization: Multiple speakers from People for Climate Action (including Tracy Cook Lee, Alice Ming, Cameron Barajas, Michael Lee, Lavanya V) urged increased funding for Energy Smart East Side (requesting $6 million over two years), launching programs for small commercial and multifamily buildings, and restoring sustainability staff. They noted that current emissions reductions are only 4.2% below 2011 levels, far short of targets. Todd Myers (Washington Policy Center) proposed reallocating funds to more cost-effective CO2 reduction projects. - Bellevue Farmers Market Funding: Barbara Hughes (President), Jermaine Fitzgerald (employee), Phyllis White (volunteer), Ilana Tracy, and Pinda Basley requested $50,000 over two years to support the market, citing its role in community health, food access, and small business growth. - Spring Boulevard Extension (Zone 3): Alex Cotton, Valentina Veneva, Caleb Lee (environmental scientist), and Ben Mickle opposed the $75 million arterial road through Bell Red Park, advocating for a multi-use trail instead, citing environmental harm to Kelsey Creek and wetlands, and the need for safety projects like crosswalks. - Housing and Homelessness: Sarah Dickmeyer (Plymouth Housing) supported proposed investments in housing and homelessness programs, noting that one-third of Bellevue households are cost-burdened. - General Fiscal Concerns: Warren Helverson and Pam Johnston questioned the 2.3 billion dollar budget increase over the previous cycle, the cost of the Grand Connection (over $200 million), and the impact on residents given rising water, energy, and tax rates. Nicole Myers raised concerns about revenue estimates and the lack of voter approval for the TBD. Discussion Items No study session or land use items were discussed. The meeting focused entirely on oral communications and the public hearing. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar approved unanimously with no discussion. - Public Hearing opened by motion (Deputy Mayor Hamilton, second Councilmember Bruyard) and closed after all speakers. No votes were taken on the budget or any proposals. - Mayor Malikouti thanked all speakers and acknowledged the difficulty of budget decisions, emphasizing that the council is listening and will use feedback to inform their choices. - The next step in the budget process is council deliberations with a target adoption date of November 17, 2026.

The Spokane Valley City Council met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included a public hearing on the 2026 budget amendment, first readings of ordinances for the 2026 and 2027 budgets, a motion on holiday city closures, and non‑action reports on the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) 2027 budget and a Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) residential target area. Council also discussed a draft letter to the county regarding urban growth area (UGA) expansions. The meeting was marked by procedural disputes over a $90,000 item for Councilmember Merkel’s appeal, leading to a 6‑1 vote to recuse him from that discussion. Consent Calendar - Claim Vouchers (Oct. 27, 2026): $2,223,286.36 approved. - Payroll (period ending Oct. 15, 2026): $769,218.60 approved. - Council Meeting Minutes (September 1, 2026): Approved. All consent items were approved unanimously without removal. Public Comments & Testimony First General Public Comment: - Thomas Quinlan read excerpts from the Washington and Georgia constitutions, stating that the rights of the people have been violated by the city government. - Jonathan Plum (Spokane Valley resident) criticized council infighting and inconsistent enforcement of the governance manual. He cited a review of 138 meetings dating back to January 2024 that identified at least 38 apparent violations. He warned that voters are paying attention and that the mayor’s conduct could cost him his council seat. - Keith Clark invited the council to a ribbon‑cutting ceremony for the “Giving Machines” on December 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Public Hearing on 2026 Budget Amendment: - Ben Lund (Spokane Valley resident) expressed support for the city manager form of government and economic development, then criticized Councilmember Merkel’s conduct, claiming the total cost associated with his tenure has reached approximately $713,000 ($623,000 already reported plus $90,000 in the budget amendment). He urged Merkel to voluntarily forgo salary and benefits as a demonstration of accountability. Public Comment on Holiday Closures: - An audience member (not named) praised staff and supported the closures, thanking them for their work. Discussion Items 2026 Budget Amendment (Ordinance 26‑010) & Procedural Dispute - Finance Director Chelsie Walls presented the amendment, affecting 16 funds with revenue increases of $6.8 million and expenditure increases of $5.6 million. Major changes included updated capital project timing and cost estimates, a $540,000 increase in catering commissions (due to a revised contract), and a $619,000 increase in the public safety equipment fund for police vehicles. - Councilmember Merkel moved to separate the $90,000 increase for contract attorney services related to his appeal from the rest of the amendment. The motion passed on a voice vote (no tally recorded). - A subsequent motion to recuse Councilmember Merkel from discussing the $90,000 item, citing a conflict of interest, passed 6‑1. Merkel objected, stating the action was illegal and that conflicts are self‑recognized. The mayor ordered his microphone turned off. - The $90,000 item was then advanced to a second reading by a 6‑0 vote (Merkel recused). - The remainder of Ordinance 26‑010 was advanced to a second reading 6‑1, with Merkel voting against. 2027 Budget (Ordinance 26‑011) - Chelsie Walls presented the 2027 budget: total appropriations of $163 million across 31 funds; general fund $73.4 million; capital expenditures $51.4 million (57.3% grant‑financed). Recurring revenues exceed recurring expenditures by about $59,000 in the general fund. Full‑time equivalent employees increase by two to 121.25. The projected general fund ending balance is $40 million (55.7% of recurring expenditures). - Council discussed minor errors in the document and the inclusion of Councilmember Merkel’s email as an attachment to the public record. - Councilmember Merkel urged tax cuts and opposed the budget. The ordinance was advanced to a second reading 6‑1, with Merkel opposing. Holiday City Closures - John Whitehead (HR Director) proposed closing City Hall and CenterPlace at noon on Wednesday, November 25, 2026; all day Thursday, December 24; and at noon on Thursday, December 31, 2026. The closures are paid non‑working time for staff and align with past practice and federal holidays. - Council expressed appreciation for staff. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) 2027 Budget & Work Plan (Non‑Action) - Teri Stripes (Economic Development Manager) reported that the TPA commission unanimously recommended a 2027 budget of $1.4 million: $500,000 for destination marketing, $700,000 for sports recruitment (Spokane Sports), $170,000 to replenish the opportunity fund grant, and $30,000 for Placer AI year‑two contract. The total is lower than the $1.7 million allocated in 2026. - Council debated the value of the Spokane Sports contract. Councilmember Merkel questioned the return on investment, calculating $140 per room night based on 7,000 participants in a recent event. Councilmember Haley and others noted broader economic benefits (retail, restaurants, sales tax). City Manager noted that a full analysis is forthcoming and that hoteliers will have an opportunity to speak at the next meeting. - No action taken; item will return for ordinance adoption. Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Residential Target Area (Non‑Action) - Teri Stripes presented the MFTE program as a voluntary incentive to help meet state‑mandated housing targets. The program offers property tax exemptions for new multifamily construction (4+ units) in exchange for income/rent restrictions. Stripes recommended a valley‑centric approach, tying the target area to zoning rather than a specific geographic boundary, and proposed requiring 20‑25% of units at specific area median income (AMI) levels to avoid concentrated poverty. - Council discussed blight concerns, the need for homeownership options, and lessons learned from Kendall Yards and other Spokane projects. Councilmember Merkel expressed hesitation, citing potential long‑term blight and police service costs. Councilmember Wick asked about annual compliance audits; Stripes estimated one‑and‑a‑half staff at scale. Deputy Mayor Hattenberg emphasized the ability to tailor the program to local priorities. - No vote taken; further details will be presented in a future ordinance. City Manager Comments – UGA Expansion Letter - Eric Lamb (Deputy City Manager) presented a draft letter to Spokane County supporting the city’s requested industrial/commercial UGA expansion east of the city, but opposing proposed residential expansions north and south. The letter asks the county to instead fill in an “island” of residential properties adjacent to the city’s requested area, which would create more logical boundaries. - Council discussed adding language about a land swap as a last resort and about designating a future joint planning area east of the city (Otis Orchards area). Consensus was reached to incorporate those comments. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. - Ordinance 26‑010 (2026 Budget Amendment): The $90,000 contract attorney services item was separated and advanced to a second reading (6‑0, Merkel recused). The remainder of the ordinance was advanced 6‑1 (Merkel opposed). - Ordinance 26‑011 (2027 Budget): Advanced to a second reading 6‑1 (Merkel opposed). - Holiday Closures: Approved unanimously. - UGA Letter: Council directed staff to add swap and future joint planning area language and to send the letter to the county by the October 30 deadline. - Advance Agenda Items: Council agreed to place on the advance agenda: discussion of the Washington State Supreme Court’s proposed cash bail rule changes (Councilmember Merkel) and review of ordinances related to public emergency declarations (Councilmember Yeager) – the latter to be addressed in an upcoming emergency management training session.

The Oakland City Council Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The agenda listed a 6:00 PM start; the committee convened at 6:05 PM and adjourned at 8:03 PM. Present: Councilmembers Rowena Brown, Ken Houston, and Chair Charlene Wang. Councilmember Carroll Fife was excused. All votes taken were 3-0 with one excused. The raw transcript sometimes spells the chair's name as 'Wong', while the agenda and minutes list 'Wang'. Minor discrepancies between the agenda, minutes, and transcript are noted in the relevant sections. Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals - Item 1 - Draft minutes from September 22, 2026 and October 13, 2026: Motion by Brown, seconded by Houston, to accept. Passed 3-0 (Fife excused). - Item 2 - Determination of schedule of outstanding committee items: Motion by Brown, seconded by Wang, to accept the pending list as presented. Passed 3-0 (Fife excused). Public Comments & Testimony - Item 2: Rajni Mandal (District 4) said the City Administrator's finance report included up to $250,000 for OPD language line services, $250,000 for protective apparel, $200,000 for body armor and supplies, and $64,500 for a First Amendment PSA related to transferring IAD responsibilities to CPRA, and argued these public safety expenditures should also be vetted by this committee. She requested a future agenda item on modernizing OPD's online crime reporting so residents can submit photographic and video evidence electronically. Blair Beekman asked when the committee would take up the 2025 Safe Oakland Streets report and the Flock/ALPR contract, saying people really want to end ALPR use and that concessions can be made. The minutes list three speakers on this item; the transcript says four. - Item 4: Mandal commended OPD for crime reductions but cautioned that crime is declining regionally and nationally and that OPD has about 600 sworn officers, below the 700 required by Measure NN, with heavy reliance on overtime and outside agencies. Damian Rainey flagged possible inconsistencies in the area tables, including a gap of about 843 crimes unassigned when summing the six areas, and warned that inaccurate numbers could undercut Oakland's recovery narrative. Asada Olabala said percentage reductions do not tell the whole story while absolute numbers remain high, citing 3,388 motor vehicle thefts, 4,051 larcenies, and 2,001 auto burglaries; she also questioned the hierarchy-based reporting method and asked how many homicides are gang/group-related. Beekman called for public clarity on the Flock contract and said technology should be secondary to community-based policing. The transcript at one point says three speakers, then four; the minutes list four. - Item 5: Olabala said human trafficking should be a Part I crime under FBI standards and urged strategies for youth-related Part II cases such as 321 juvenile runaways. Mandal highlighted Oakland's high property crime and low clearance/conviction rates, noted OPD receives about 250,000 calls for service annually, and called for closing the loop after reports are filed. Rainey asked whether the World Cup brought federal enforcement boosts and whether data can show how many arrests involve non-Oakland residents. Beekman again pressed for a public answer on the status of the Flock contract. - Item 6: Mandal commended Director Lawson and his team for a substantial, transparent presentation but cautioned that the infrastructure identified in the IAB transition study must be operational before transferring investigations. Olabala demanded continued racial profiling and excessive force data and questioned why CPRA has sustained only one racial profiling case. Beekman asked where oversight of the Flock contract would sit and requested regular public accountability. - Open Forum: Olabala raised the 911 outage and backup system failure, requested reports on sideshow-related crimes, hate crimes, missing persons, and cold cases, and asked why only some officers have rifle access. Edwin Hagler (Community Brothers) asked the City to support his graffiti cleanup efforts and beautify Oakland. Mandal said the 911 outage resulted from multiple severed communication lines affecting two backup systems, urged the Mayor's planned IT audit to include 911 resilience, and noted militarized equipment must be approved by the Police Commission before funding. Beekman raised ALPR vendor options and suggested Oakland consider a strong-mayor coordinator model used in San Diego. Discussion Items - Item 3 - 2025 Safe Oakland Streets Informational Report: This item was withdrawn by the October 22, 2026 Rules and Legislation Committee and rescheduled to the November 17, 2026 Special Public Safety Committee agenda. No action was taken. - Item 4 - OPD Part 1 Crime Data Report: OPD command staff presented data for April-September 2026. OPD reported Part I crime down 6 percent in one portion and 8 percent later in the transcript, with larceny up 11 percent. Area highlights: Area 1 Part I -6%, burglaries -15%, auto thefts -17%, robberies up from 128 to 153, homicides up from 5 to 7; Area 2 robberies -34%, burglaries -28%, aggravated assaults -6%, homicides up from 2 to 3; Area 3 homicides -25%, robberies -24%, aggravated assaults -15%; Area 4 homicides -50%, violent crime index -21%, firearm aggravated assaults -22%; Area 5 robberies -40%, aggravated assaults -7%, homicides unchanged; Area 6 Part I -21%, auto burglaries -42%, robberies -28%, aggravated assaults -17%, homicides -30%. OPD attributed improvements to weekly ceasefire meetings, area commanders adjusting deployments, and partnerships with the Department of Violence Prevention and community groups. Councilmember Brown asked about area-captain roadmaps, rising sexual assaults, and preparation for downtown entertainment zone activations; Chair Wang asked what drives area variability, requested per-capita crime data where feasible, and raised motor vehicle theft; Councilmember Houston praised visible reductions in District 7. - Item 5 - OPD Part 2 Crime Data Report: Assistant Chief Casey Johnson presented this first regular Part II report and cautioned that Part II figures are approximate because of delayed reporting. Part II crime citywide was up 2 percent; simple assaults up 1 percent; drunkenness up 1,400 percent, from 1 to 1,500, attributed to First Fridays and downtown enforcement; human trafficking up 127 percent, from 45 to 102, attributed to targeted enforcement including over 160 arrests; runaways at 321, up 143 percent, including group-home runaways; vandalism up 4 percent. He also noted Part I crime year-to-date was down 10 percent. Johnson acknowledged that a slide label reading 'Part one crimes' was an error and should read 'Part two crimes'. Councilmembers discussed the difference between enforcement-driven increases and actual crime increases, runaway tracking and child welfare, and identity theft reporting gaps. - Item 6 - Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) Bi-Annual Report (OMC 2.46.030): Director Lawson presented CPRA's second report. He said 90 percent or more of complaints come from OPD within about 24 hours; three intake technicians screen them; serious and mandated cases go to investigators, with a fourth investigator being interviewed. Mandated categories include use of force, custody death, truthfulness, First Amendment assemblies, and racial profiling. From January to September 2026, CPRA reviewed 808 allegations, including 327 use-of-physical-force allegations and 331 performance-of-duty allegations; 240 investigations were completed and 62 were ongoing; 26 were sustained findings and 51 were administratively closed. Sustained cases average about 10 months; the 180-day metric was reported as four, but Lawson said that likely reflected only the period since the last report. Priorities include written procedures, a new database/case management system, two attorney investigators, an outside-counsel RFP with a budget of about $200,000, and ground-floor intake space. Lawson presented a proposed expanded org chart of 21 FTE; the charter requires about one investigator per 100 officers, or about six for roughly 600 officers, while CPRA currently has three and is hiring a fourth. Database vendor options included Recon ($660,000 over three years, most comprehensive), WingSwept (about $100,000 annually), and Civil (new and less capable). Councilmembers questioned staffing versus charter mandates, report length, outside counsel costs, data labeling, and officer-involved shooting review; Lawson said a case such as the Jose Castillo shooting would first be reviewed by the District Attorney and then investigated, likely by outside counsel. Key Outcomes - All motions passed 3-0 with Councilmember Fife excused: draft minutes accepted, outstanding items schedule accepted, and Items 4, 5, and 6 received and filed. - Item 3 was not heard; it is rescheduled to November 17, 2026. - OPD agreed to explore per-capita crime reporting by area, using updated Census data, and to provide clarifying data where possible. - CPRA will provide a budget and staffing comparison proposal next week, work on clearer report labels, and attempt to improve council-district tracking; Councilmember Brown suggested OPD include council district numbers in referrals. - Public requests for additional reports - online evidence submission, clearance rates, Flock/ALPR contract status, and 911 resilience - were noted for future attention but no formal action was taken.

The Carson City School District Board of Trustees met Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Robert Crowell Board Room at the Community Center, 851 E. William Street, Carson City, Nevada. The board adopted the agenda, approved the consent agenda, heard one in-person public comment, received informational updates on the GATE program and the NEPF evaluation system, approved an early resignation/retirement notification incentive, adopted policy revisions, set the superintendent's evaluation timeline, and approved a letter to the Nevada Appeal. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda was approved in one motion. It included ratification of purchase orders and payables and authorization for warrant registers and payroll journals; certified staff offers of employment, non-hires, and terminations; student vaccination exemptions under NRS 392.437 and NRS 392.439; and the Nevada Department of Taxation Quarterly Economic Survey. Public Comments & Testimony - Jill Hattrick, a self-described advocate, requested more training for the GED adult program's teacher and office staff to help them communicate with young adults with special needs. She described an incident that began when she advocated for her adult son, said police came to her door, and said she was no longer allowed on three campuses. She also reported that a teacher twice refused to provide her son a voucher needed to take the GED test, causing him to miss testing periods. She urged the district to train staff to be caring. No online public comments were received. Superintendent and Board Reports - Superintendent Feuling recognized the Carson City Rotary Club for an $11,200 donation, split among Carson High School (lab scales, telescopes, geology equipment), Carson Middle School (gluten-free and allergy-free culinary items), and Eagle Valley Middle School (a writer's society book-publishing project). He also highlighted staff and student accomplishments, including a Carson High golf state qualifier and a successful attendance event at Bordewick. - Board members gave campus reports, including parent-teacher conference turnout (98% at Fritsch, 97% at Seeliger), Silver Campus enrollment counts, and upcoming events. Trustee Varner led the flag salute. No association reports were offered. GATE Program Update (Discussion Only) - Joanna Kaiser, GATE/Differentiation Coordinator, presented an update on the district's Gifted and Talented Education program. She said Carson City uses a broader eligibility matrix than the state's top-2% full-scale cognitive score, considering COGAT, MAP, SBAC, teacher observations, and parent nominations. About 18% of GATE students are also high achievers, and the district follows the National Association for Gifted Children recommendation to identify about 10% of students. - District data show 869 GATE students in grades 3-12, about 16% of the population. For example, at Bordewick, 41 of 262 third- through fifth-grade students (16%) were identified as GATE, compared to about 10 students (4%) if only the state designation were used. - The district uses a cluster model, placing GATE students with GATE-endorsed teachers in general education classrooms, with the state-required 150 minutes per week (600 minutes per month) of differentiated activities. There are more than 200 GATE-endorsed teachers districtwide, with 54 currently serving as cluster teachers. - Kaiser described professional learning efforts, including GATE endorsement courses offered through the Northwest Region on Zoom, PLCs in September, January, and April, Building Thinking Classrooms, Writing Revolution, and a fourth-grade CKLA extension PLC. This school year she made 27 school site visits and facilitated 23 professional learning sessions. - Trustees requested follow-up data on GATE students' participation in AP/JumpStart courses, demographic breakdowns, multi-year enrollment and teacher participation trends, and measurable targets. Staff said demographic data would be available after state validation. NEPF Annual Review (Discussion Only) - Dan Carstens, Chief Human Resources Officer, reviewed the Nevada Educator Performance Framework as required by NRS 391.485(2). The evaluation weights are instructional practice 65%, professional responsibilities 20%, and student performance 15%. For the most recent evaluation data, 418 teachers were evaluated; the district had 5.5% of teachers rated developing versus 0.85% statewide, which Carstens attributed to administrators conducting honest, calibrated evaluations. Carson City also has a higher percentage of exempt teachers because more teachers earned highly effective ratings for two consecutive years. - Average summative scores declined slightly from the prior year: teachers from 3.41 to 3.34 and administrators from 3.34 to 3.29. Survey participation declined; for example, the professional-growth question drew 217 responses last year and 143 this year. Among respondents, 94% said their evaluation was fair (up from 89%), 81% said it focused on professional growth, and fewer than 70% said it took a reasonable amount of time. Among 34 written comments, 29 were critical, five were mixed, and none were fully positive; comments cited time demands and concerns about student learning goal workload. - Carstens noted the state moved to standard-level evaluation only for the current year. A trustee asked for a three-year comparison of NEPF ratings as a follow-up. Early Resignation/Retirement Incentive (Action) - The board approved a $1,000 monetary incentive, not to exceed $60,000 total, for administrative, certified, and classified employees who formally notify the district by January 15, 2027, of intent to resign or retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year. The purpose is early budget and vacancy planning, not to encourage departures. Eligibility criteria will match last year's requirements, including the five-year service threshold discussed by trustees. Last year 29 employees used the incentive; prior-year totals were 33 and 28. The motion passed unanimously. Policy First Readings (Discussion Only) - Policy 209, Controversial Issues, was presented for first reading with updated language on how controversial issues should be handled in an educational setting. A trustee asked why the reference to NRS 388.150 was removed; staff said they would review the statute reference before the second reading. - Regulation 202, Development of New Courses, was brought back after board input. Changes clarified the district approval process and added a requirement to demonstrate sufficient student interest and sustainability. A trustee requested language consistency by using superintendent or designee rather than chief academic officer. Policy Second Readings and Other Actions - The board unanimously approved revised policies 201 Education Research, 202 Curriculum Assessment, and 206 Comprehensive School Counseling Program, with a change from desires to responsible. - The board unanimously approved revised Policy 505, Assignment Within District, on second reading. - The board unanimously approved the superintendent's evaluation form and timeline: Superintendent Feuling's self-assessment is due November 6, 2026; trustee evaluations are due November 20, 2026; and the evaluation will be completed at the December 8, 2026 board meeting. - The board unanimously approved sending a letter to the editor of the Nevada Appeal from the CCSD Board of Trustees supporting student attendance and asking businesses to schedule students to work outside school hours. Informational Items and Future Agenda Topics - Informational items noted no school on Friday, October 30, 2026, for Nevada Day; no school for students on Monday, November 2, 2026, for staff professional development; no school on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for Veterans Day; early release Tuesdays on November 3, 10, and 17; and daylight saving time ending on November 1, 2026. - Future agenda topics will include an athletics policy, a CTE policy, and a technology acceptable use policy. A trustee requested a school-level budget breakdown before the board discusses next year's budget. Key Outcomes - Agenda adopted unanimously. - Consent agenda approved unanimously. - Incentive motion approved unanimously (up to $60,000; $1,000 per employee; January 15, 2027 deadline; last year's qualifications apply). - Policy 201, 202, 206, and 505 revisions approved unanimously. - Superintendent evaluation form and timeline approved unanimously. - Letter to the editor approved unanimously. - Follow-ups requested: NRS reference for Policy 209; language consistency in Regulation 202; GATE data on AP/JumpStart, demographics, trends, and targets; NEPF three-year rating comparison; and school-level budget breakdown.

The Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee met at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC. Chair Tyler D. Bailey presided with Councilmembers Edward H. McDowell Jr. and Tina N. Herbert present. The committee approved prior minutes, discussed the Disabled Veterans Memorial Monument application, and received the Columbia Poet Laureate's four-year update. Approval of Minutes - The agenda listed minutes from the August 4, 2026 and August 18, 2026 committee meetings. No minutes document was included in the provided packet, but the transcript shows the committee voted unanimously by voice vote to approve them. Committee Discussion: Disabled Veterans Memorial Monument Application - Michael Hale, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13, John W. Cruz Juniors, located at 511 Valley Street in West Columbia, presented the proposed monument with chapter members. He described it as a dedicated monument honoring disabled American veterans of all branches of service and all war eras, both living and deceased. - The chapter has a concept and has obtained a quote and approximate timeline from vendor Fletcher Monument. The goal is a dedication ceremony in November 2027. Fundraising is ongoing through engraved 4x8 bricks at $75 and corporate sponsorship options at $75 or $150; chapter adjutant Adriana Flood is the contact for donations and applications. - Hale said the mayor is on board and is looking into possible assistance. - Committee members thanked the veterans for their service, and Councilmember McDowell said the monument is in his district and that he supports it physically and financially. The committee expressed wholehearted support for the project. - The committee reached consensus to advance the application to One Columbia, which will work with ACM Simons on the next details. Presentation: Poet Laureate Update - Jennifer Bartell Boykin, the City of Columbia's second poet laureate and its first Black woman poet laureate, reported on her four-year term, which ends December 31, 2026. She has chosen not to renew, and the Poet Laureate Committee is selecting the next poet laureate, with an announcement expected in November 2026. - She reported approximately 132 activities over four years, 87 paid poets from Columbia and across South Carolina, and $77,000 in fellowships and grants. - She founded the Soda City Poetry Festival: a one-day festival in 2024, a two-day festival in 2025, and year-long monthly workshops in 2026 because grant funding was scarce. This year, eight local teaching poets have led workshops at Richland Library downtown, with 77 participants so far and two workshops remaining. - She wrote 13 commissioned poems during her tenure. Highlights included Stargazers, set to music by the Sandlapper Singers and performed in May 2024, and the Finley Park poem, her only poem commissioned by the City of Columbia. - Funding sources included $50,000 from the Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate Fellowship, of which she used $17,000 for the Soda City Poetry Festival; a $5,000 South Arts grant in 2024; a $7,000 South Carolina Humanities grant written with One Columbia; and approximately $5,000 per year from the City of Columbia for three years. A participant named Scott clarified that the city funding was hospitality tax money routed through Columbia Streams Art. - Councilmembers Herbert and McDowell said $15,000 in city hospitality funds was not enough for a festival that brings visitors to the city. They urged the city to invest more hospitality tax dollars in the Soda City Poetry Festival and suggested examining another festival's application to see eligible expenses. They also encouraged Boykin to continue the festival after stepping down; she noted it is currently structured as an LLC and would need nonprofit status. - Boykin's future considerations for the next poet laureate included fully funding the Soda City Poetry Festival at $15,000 to $20,000 or more, adding a poetry slam, installing more public poetry, offering the next laureate an annual honorarium of $1,000 to $5,000 as other South Carolina cities do, commissioning at least one poem per year for an official city event, and providing one public city reading. Key Outcomes - The August 4 and August 18, 2026 minutes were approved unanimously. - The committee agreed to forward the Disabled Veterans Memorial Monument application to One Columbia, with ACM Simons to handle follow-up. - The committee asked Boykin to write and read one final commissioned poem at the December 15, 2026 council meeting before her term ends. - No formal vote was taken on poet laureate funding; the funding discussion was a committee recommendation for future consideration.

The Howard County Board of Appeals met in hybrid session (Banneker Room and WebEx) on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to about 2:00 p.m. Vice Chair Lynn Feerkow presided. The sole substantive matter was BA829D, Donna Gorhan's appeal concerning 10450 Waterfowl Terrace, Columbia, Maryland (Council District 5, Tax Map 30, Lot 144). The agenda identifies the appeal as from the Hearing Examiner's June 15, 2026 Decision and Order dismissing the petition; the case call also identified the underlying agency action as DPZ's March 10, 2026 decision finding no zoning violations in response to the appellant's complaint (case CE 2617). A written minutes packet was not provided, but the Board approved the October 15, 2026 minutes on the record. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously the October 15, 2026 meeting minutes by motion, second, and roll-call vote (all Board members voting approved). Discussion Items - Case call and standard of review: The Board stated the appeal proceeded de novo under Board Rule 2.210A, with the appellant bearing the burden of proving by a preponderance that the agency's decision was clearly erroneous, arbitrary and capricious, or contrary to law. Each Board member confirmed having visited the subject property. - Subpoena issue: The appellant asked that absent subpoenaed witnesses be carried to November 17, 2026, and that the record remain open for their testimony; the Board later confirmed that subpoenaed witnesses remain required on November 17. - Motion to dismiss: DPZ counsel, David Moore, moved to dismiss the appeal as an untimely challenge to the 2025 building permit, arguing DPZ had already assessed the same zoning question before issuing the permit, the property owner built according to a valid permit and approvals, and allowing the later no-violation appeal would permit endless re-litigation. The appellant responded that she was appealing DPZ's March 10, 2026 decision closing code enforcement case CE 2617, that she filed within 30 days, and that the Board had jurisdiction under Section 130.0.B.4. - Closed session: The Board voted to close the meeting briefly under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Md. Code, General Provisions § 3-305(b)(7), to consult with counsel about the motion; it then returned to open session. - Ruling and scope limitation: The Board unanimously denied DPZ's motion to dismiss. It clarified that it would not re-evaluate the issuance of the building permit; its review was limited to the March 10, 2026 no-violation decision, including whether the construction complied with the building permit or whether the inspection was mistaken. - Opening statements: The appellant argued the decisive issue was whether DPZ had a factual basis to treat the old shed as part of the house; if the shed was not part of the dwelling, the new garage was not entitled to the existing-dwelling setback encroachment under Section 128.0.B.2. DPZ argued that the structure was a properly permitted replacement of a connected part of the house occupying the same footprint, which is why DPZ found no violation. - Appellant's testimony: Ms. Gorhan testified that she was not challenging the building permit, but the March 10 closure decision. She contended the demolished shed was free-standing and nonconforming, and that the new garage protrudes further into the setback than the shed did. She also noted that the face of the permit did not list a setback number. - Jeff Goens testimony: The former DPZ zoning official confirmed that in November 2023 he responded to the property owner's emailed description and photos without a site visit or shed measurement. The Board largely limited this testimony as pre-permit and outside the scope of the 2026 complaint. - Inspector Blanding testimony: The DPZ inspector described his March 2, 2026 inspection. He measured 4.8 feet from the front corner of the garage, the closest point to the neighboring property, using a roller tape; no property line markers were present. The approved file materials, including a survey, indicated a 4.8-foot side setback was allowed, while the general side-yard setback was 7.5 feet. He took still photos and a short video, did not take other measurements along the approximately 27-28 foot garage wall, and concluded the structure was consistent with the approved permit; after review with his supervisor, no notice of violation was issued. On cross, he acknowledged that no survey marker was present at the time of his March measurement, but a later survey and property marker were in place; he would have pursued a violation if he had found noncompliance. - Evidentiary rulings: The Board admitted Exhibit 21 (inspection photos and approximately 20-second video) after DPZ stated no objection, and admitted Exhibit 5 (residential building permit) into evidence. Exhibit 30 (survey packet) was marked for identification only, not admitted as substantive evidence, with one page accepted for reference. The Board sustained relevance objections to several older documents, including the 1969 plot plan, Wild Lake association emails, and the November 2023 email exchange, as predating the 2025 permit and 2026 complaint. Key Outcomes - The Board unanimously denied DPZ's motion to dismiss. - Admitted DPZ inspection video/photos (Exhibit 21) and building permit (Exhibit 5); marked survey set (Exhibit 30) for identification only. - No final decision on the merits; hearing adjourned to November 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. - Record remains open for absent subpoenaed witnesses; subpoenaed witnesses remain required on November 17. - Witnesses Goens and Blanding were excused; the appeal remains pending.

The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held public hearings on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Westminster, Maryland. The board approved an extension of a prior conditional-use approval, approved a contractor-equipment-storage conditional use with variances, denied an expansion of a nonconforming mobile home park, and did not take up the scheduled telecommunications facility case. Public Comments & Testimony For Case 6641 (Anchor At Ziles Park mobile home park), three neighboring residents testified in opposition: - Patricia Gamola, an adjoining property owner on Westview Road, expressed total opposition. She cited a 1987 denial of an earlier expansion, a 1995 zoning decision that said enlargement would not promote orderly growth or conserve residential property values, traffic and safety concerns on Route 27, aquifer and well-contamination concerns, the location of proposed septic fields near her well, questions about an on-site storage business and untagged vehicles, open-burning/smoldering incidents, and a July 2026 real-estate listing that described approval for six additional home sites as already received. - Stephen H. Zile, a Ridge Road neighbor, urged denial. He said the 5.1-acre parcel is below the 20-acre minimum for expansion, cited the park's nonconforming status and outdated 1982 site plan, complained about lighting, trash, burn piles, unpermitted storage, untagged vehicles, and traffic accidents along Maryland 27, and submitted copies of the 1986 and 1995 zoning decisions as exhibits. - Timothy Conkling, a Kimberly James Court resident, opposed the expansion because of well-water/aquifer impacts and asked about buffering; the board responded that tree-planting and buffering details would be handled during the site-plan process. Discussion Items - Case 6597 – Vehicle Sales Lot Extension: Brad Miller requested a 12-month extension of the BZA's February 25, 2026, conditional-use approval for a vehicle sales lot at 5339 Enterprise Street, Sykesville. Attorney Kelly Schaefer Miller said the client was working with county staff on a simplified site plan and building-permit compliance, and although the full 12 months might not be needed, it was requested out of caution. The board approved the extension. - Case 6635 – Contractor's Equipment Storage Yard and Variances: Julio and Patricia Coello and Luis Adonay Coelho sought a conditional use for a contractor's equipment storage yard on 3.0029 acres at 4909 Buffalo Road, Mt. Airy. The proposed use would be passive storage only, with no employees at the site, no work performed there, no sign, and no fuel or materials storage. Variances were requested for driveway width, distance from neighboring properties, lot size, and related setbacks. Agency comments included environmental-health concerns about water supply and septic area. Board members noted the property was well maintained, the use was low intensity, and no neighbors appeared in opposition. The board approved the conditional use and variances. - Case 6619 – Telecommunications Facility: The agenda listed a request by The Towers, LLC d/b/a Vertical Bridge for a 199-foot monopole within a 50-by-50-foot fenced compound at 4506 Grave Run Road, Manchester. This case was not heard at this meeting; the transcript includes a reference to a postponed hearing expected in late January or February. - Case 6641 – Mobile Home Park Expansion: Anchor At Ziles Park, LLC requested permission to expand the nonconforming mobile home park at 3513 Ridge Road, Westminster, from seven to thirteen trailers by adding six lots. Applicant representatives Frank Samuel and Charles Knill, with surveyor John Lemmerman, said the existing park had been improved, occupancy was full, no new public-road entrances were proposed, a new well had been drilled, and septic-system upgrades had been designed. Agency and staff comments included planning-staff findings that the request was inconsistent with the 2014 Carroll County Master Plan as amended; a traffic review citing serious roadway-safety concerns along Ridge Road/Maryland 27; and an environmental-health comment requiring adequate water supply and septic-system area. The applicants also noted that they had initially requested 14 additional lots before reducing the request to 6, and the surveyor said an older county-approved site plan had shown 12 additional pads. Key Outcomes - Case 6597: Approved a 12-month extension from October 27, 2026 through October 26, 2027. - Case 6635: Approved a conditional use for a contractor's equipment storage yard with six distance variances, a lot-size variance, and a driveway-width variance. - Case 6619: No action taken; hearing postponed. - Case 6641: Denied the request to expand the nonconforming mobile home park from seven to thirteen trailers. For all decided cases, written decisions are to be issued within 30 days unless extended; any appeal must be filed within 30 days of the written decision.

The Astoria City Council held a work session on October 27, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered three main agenda items: routine agenda setting, proposed amendments to the Astoria Municipal Code (including administrative and policy-level changes), and an update on the city's Shelter First Policy. Council discussed future work session topics, reviewed draft code amendments across multiple chapters, and received detailed presentations on shelter capacity, enforcement statistics, and program progress. Key decisions included support for a final year of emergency cold weather shelter funding with an outreach effort to neighboring jurisdictions and nonprofits. Agenda Setting - City Manager Spence reviewed the upcoming work session calendar. Planned items include: review of a draft city council handbook (November 23), an update on the development review audit, and a discussion with Pacific Power about converting approximately 700 streetlights to LED. The LED project is estimated at $156,000 with a city cost of roughly $50,000, but would yield approximately $25,000 in annual energy savings (2–3 year payback). Pacific Power has a December deadline for incentive program participation. Councilor Adams asked whether this covered all downtown streetlights; staff confirmed it includes all city lights. - For December, a review of council representation on boards and commissions is planned, and a Shelter First update may be added. - Councilor Davis reported that a meeting with staff on the Parking Master Plan had occurred, discussing a methodology to objectively determine parking issues—similar to traffic speed studies. Options such as expanding striped parking, education components, and off-street resources were considered. There was also discussion about whether council should retain authority over parking decisions outside the existing parking district. Councilor Davis mentioned that Clatsop Community College has offered to use drones for parking counts (subject to FAA restrictions), similar to work they did for Cannon Beach in 2019. Astoria Municipal Code Review – Proposed Amendments Staff presented administrative and policy-level amendments across several chapters. Administrative Changes (Chapters 1, 2, 5, and licensing sections): - Chapter 1: Increase department head spending authority from $7,500 to $10,000 (staff noted 59 purchases between $7,500 and $10,000 in the current fiscal year). Increase the small procurement cap from $10,000 to $25,000 to align with ORS and improve efficiency (76 intermediate procurements identified in FY 26-27). Councilor Adams questioned why intermediate procurements ($150,000 cap) were not also updated by reference; staff explained the city's large procurement threshold of $150,000 was deemed appropriate. - Chapter 2: Update driveway permit language: replace the specific fee ($5) and title with a reference to the public works department and right-of-way permits. Move approval of driveway exceptions (outside standard dimensions) from council to administrative approval, given council's past preference. Councilor Adams noted that an appeal process exists for administrative decisions. - Chapter 5: Update Parks definitions to remove outdated references (e.g., library director) and replace the exhaustive list of parks with a reference to the Parks Master Plan list. - Licensing Sections: Repeal several outdated license categories: amusement devices (pinball), amusement places (carnivals), general licensing for boxing/wrestling/dances (“Footloose provision”), junkyards, security guards, drive-in restaurants, outdoor advertising, and auctioneers. For pawnbrokers, staff will retain the section due to existing pawn shops in the city, with clarified definitions. Policy-Level Discussions: - Liquor Control (Section 5.030): Staff proposed making liquor license approvals/denials an administrative process rather than requiring council action, to speed up processing. Councilor Davis noted that even though liquor license renewals typically pass consent easily, a small number of residents have expressed concerns about over-approval. He suggested polling for public input occasionally. Councilor Adams preferred keeping applications on the consent calendar to maintain awareness. Chief Kelly and City Manager Spence stated there have been few public complaints; the main issue is delays when council scheduling is missed. - Parks Enforcement (Ejectment): Staff proposed establishing a clear appeal process for park ejectments, setting a standard 90-day maximum, and removing the code section allowing property seizure. Appeals would go first to the Parks Director, then to the Municipal Judge. The change aims to provide due process and consistency. Councilor Adams noted a typo on the time frame slide, suggesting flexibility up to 90 days. Staff clarified the 90-day standard removes police officer discretion. - General Occupation Tax to Business License: Staff proposed a full replacement of the general occupation tax with a business license program. This would be a community-driven process over several months: stakeholder outreach (Nov–Feb), work session (March 2027), potential council proposal (April), additional outreach (May–June), and program launch July 1, 2027. The change would modernize administration, improve data on businesses, and be revenue-neutral. Councilor Adams requested a breakdown of fee methodology (small/medium/large based on employees or revenue). Councilor Mazzarella asked about overlap with existing licenses (e.g., home-stay lodging); staff said that would be discussed during stakeholder engagement. - Right-of-Way Licensing: Staff discussed moving from individual franchise agreements to a standard license for utilities operating in the right-of-way, following a League of Oregon Cities model. This would streamline negotiations and ensure consistent terms. Councilor Davis expressed concern that providers might refuse if not offered negotiation room, but City Attorney and staff noted that the model is standard and would likely be accepted by utilities like Pacific Power and Northwest Natural Gas, which have been operating on expired agreements for years. This item will be the subject of a future work session. Astoria's Shelter First Policy Update Staff, Chief Kelly, Homeless Liaison Nicholas, and representatives from partner agencies provided a comprehensive update on the four pillars of the policy. Camping Code Enforcement (since July 15, 2026): - Statistics: 7 citations, 31 trespasses, 0 arrests. Chief Kelly reported an initial decrease in visible camping as people entered shelter, but a recent resurgence as some left shelter or returned from elsewhere. He noted that enforcement has moved to a more resistant group and that communication with shelters (e.g., CCA) has improved to verify available beds. - Councilor Adams asked about the number of tents; Chief Kelly said he has started tracking tent counts three mornings per week. - Councilor Adams inquired about bed availability for those claiming ADA needs or who have been trespassed from shelters. Chief Kelly explained that shelters have bottom bunks and accessible bathrooms, so most ADA concerns are resolved; some individuals refuse shelter even when beds are available, leading to trespasses. A current shortage of men's beds was noted. - Councilor Adams asked whether the trespass authority is effective. Chief Kelly said it is a useful tool; individuals generally leave rather than face arrest. Homeless Liaison (Nicholas): - The position was filled and began work; the first monthly report for September was provided in the packet. Nicholas described his daily work: outreach downtown, case management, helping with IDs, health insurance (OHP), connecting people to treatment and deflection programs. He uses Lifeboat's day shelter as a location for meetings. Councilor Adams asked about the need for a private space; Nicholas mentioned using Lifeboat's private rooms and also the library through liaison Suzanne. Councilor Mazarella noted the importance of having city-owned space for that purpose. - Councilor Conklin asked about deflection drug treatment; Nicholas confirmed that anyone can access the program through CBH (RAC) at no cost, not just those arrested. The program has one of the highest success rates in the state. Dry Storage Assistance Program: - Six locker boxes (providing 12 storage spaces) have been installed near the library; all six are currently assigned. Staff learned of water intrusion due to open bottoms and are exploring mitigation. There has been one arrest for storing illegal items (cameras from the library identified the issue). The program has been well-received by users, who are able to attend appointments without carrying all belongings. Nicholas reported some users are unable to store bicycles or wagons. Next steps: a check-in in November, ordering three additional boxes (two-month lead time) for installation in February 2027. Community-Based Shelter Program: - Staff identified 9 potential partner locations (nonprofits and faith-based organizations) and have reached out; responses include some no's and maybes. Councilor Davis offered to help with outreach to property owners. Councilor Adams shared a list for follow-up. Countywide Partnerships: - Staff presented regional data on shelter beds. As of September 2026, Clatsop County has 218 shelter beds: Astoria provides 150 (68.8%), Seaside 52, and 16 non-disclosed (domestic violence). Astoria's 110 low-barrier beds make up 73.3% of all low-barrier beds in the county; its 40 recovery beds are 76.9% of the county total. Astoria has approximately 1 shelter bed per 67 residents. - Monthly utilization for September: average 95.9% of low-barrier beds occupied, with 4.5% average nightly availability (1.2 female, 0.8 male, 1.5 young female, 1.0 young male beds). - Staff emphasized that the city is doing a disproportionate share and called for a regional dialogue. Next steps include a countywide elected officials meeting and possibly council representation on the Oregon Continuum of Care policy board. - Councilor Adams requested data on drug use enforcement. Chief Kelly reported several recent drug arrests (including fentanyl possession and dealing paraphernalia) and an assault between homeless individuals. He noted that state law (SB 48) and bail reform make it difficult to hold individuals for treatment; he suggested adding bail reform to legislative priorities. Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Discussion: - Councilor Davis raised the topic of contracting for a warming shelter this winter. City Manager Spence summarized past usage: 4 days in 2024, 7 days in 2025, 4 days in 2026, averaging about $1,600 per night (contract with CCA via Consejo). Often only 3–4 people stayed each night. - Council discussed whether to fund another year. Councilors Conklin, Adams, and Davis expressed support for one final year, with a clear signal that the city would not continue thereafter. Councilor Mazzarella and Mayor Fitzpatrick expressed reluctance, preferring to use funds for sustainable programs and to challenge neighboring jurisdictions to step up. - Consensus: Council directed staff to first conduct outreach to neighboring cities (e.g., Warrenton) and local nonprofits (e.g., Lifeboat) to see if they can operate an inclement weather shelter (broader than just 32°F). If no partner steps forward, staff may prepare a limited emergency cold weather shelter for the winter of 2026-2027 (likely 5–7 days at $10,000–$12,000 budget), with the understanding that this would be the city's final year of direct operation. Council also asked to explore whether Lifeboat could offer emergency shelter with funding. Key Outcomes - Staff will bring the administrative code amendments (Chapters 1, 2, 5, and licensing repeals) to council for public hearings and first readings on November 2, November 16, and December 7, 2026, as scheduled. - Policy-level items (liquor license administrative process, parks enforcement, general occupation tax replacement, right-of-way licensing) will proceed to future meetings with further council input. - Staff will coordinate with council members on community outreach regarding the community-based shelter program and emergency cold weather shelter partnerships. - Council directed staff to prepare for a possible final-year emergency cold weather shelter (contingent on unsuccessful outreach) and to report back on partnership progress. - The Shelter First Policy will continue to be monitored; monthly reports from the Homeless Liaison will be provided to council.

The Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA) convened at 5:45 PM, followed immediately by the Berkeley City Council at 6:01 PM, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in the School District Board Room and via Zoom. The JPFA meeting was brief, focusing on approval of prior minutes. The City Council session included ceremonial presentations, a city manager report, a city auditor update, public comment, a substantial consent calendar, and a major discussion item on the Ashby BART East Lot affordable housing development. Consent Calendar - Joint Powers Financing Authority: Approved the minutes from the December 2, 2025 meeting without comment or opposition. Motion by Councilmember O'Keefe, seconded, passed unanimously. - City Council Consent Calendar: The council approved a large consent calendar with several modifications: - An urgency item (opposing proposed Census changes) was added by Councilmember Kessarwani and co-sponsored by Councilmember Trego, added unanimously. - Item 22B (City Manager companion report on special events ordinances) was removed at the city manager's request and Item 22A was referred to the Agenda and Rules Committee for future scheduling. - Items 20B (ProWAG guidelines), 23B, and 24B (zero waste ordinances) were adopted as the companion reports. - Items 26 (Berkeley Flea Market fall festival) and 27 (Harriet Tubman Terrace low-income housing bay cruise) received discretionary fund pledges from multiple council members totaling over $1,100. - Item 25 (amending municipal code to require competitive procurement for service contracts over $100,000) was approved; Councilmember Kessarwani clarified the award criteria are based on competence and qualifications, not solely lowest price. - Item 21 (renaming the northern end of the Berkeley Waterfront to "César Chávez Park" – cited as "Cisepue Park" in transcript) was approved; speakers noted that the United Farm Workers union had given provisional approval for use of the trademarked phrase "Sí Se Puede." Public Comments & Testimony - Non-Agenda Public Comment (JPFA & City Council): - Steve Tracy (Berkeley resident) expressed concern about rumors of Fire Chief Sprague's resignation and urged a public statement before the election. - A speaker from BCBI supported extending their contract. - A representative from Live Free thanked the council for a $200,000 allocation and invited all to a fundraising event on November 7. - Jennifer Cogley (Bayer Healthcare) reported deteriorated conditions on Grayson Street affecting vendor deliveries for medicine production, urging the council to address street safety. - Kentrell Killens urged consideration of individual circumstances in homeless policies rather than broad bans. - Della Luna criticized new crosswalk signs and red curb painting at Ashby and MLK, arguing they distract drivers and create confusion. - David (District One resident) urged passage of Councilmember Kessarwani's resolution to establish encampment buffer zones around licensed preschools and daycares, noting a special meeting on November 17. - Maria Sol encouraged more commission participation and raised concerns about Bonita House closure and safety for seniors and disabled. - A caller (number ending 211) criticized the city's failure to pass a Gaza ceasefire resolution and alleged a new housing employee from Pacifica blocked a business deal. - Jessica Prado opposed the buffer zone policy as a reactionary homeless policy that could lead to litigation under disability accommodation requirements. - Consent Calendar Public Comments: - Multiple speakers (Natasha Beary, Beatrice Leva Cutler, Philip Monrad, Sandra Curtis, Jack Mises, Stephen Sherman, Carol Morasovic, Rena Fisher, Monique Allen, Martin Bork, a public commenter, Rebecca Alcaladeira Flor) spoke in support of items 21-24, 26, 27, and 25 (with suggestions for flexibility on contract length). Several also urged prompt implementation of ProWAG boilerplate contract language for accessible public right-of-way. - A public commenter criticized the Westlaw contract waiver of sanctuary city ordinance, noting Westlaw contracts with ICE. - Marty Nicolaus raised concerns that the name "César Chávez Park" is federally trademarked by UFW and no written consent had been received; the mayor responded that city staff would obtain consent before finalizing. - Discussion Item Public Comment: - James Codlin (SAHA) expressed gratitude for the recommendation. - A tenant complained about SAHA's code enforcement violations, fire department violations, and lawsuits, urging the council to address these issues. - Maria Sol urged SAHA to be more open to dialogue on safety and security. Discussion Items - Ashby BART East Lot Developer Selection (Item 30): - Staff presented the culmination of a nearly nine-year process to develop the 1.9-acre city-owned parcel. The site was split from the Ashby BART station development; the city now owns the East Lot via an exchange agreement with BART. Key community priorities included a minimum of 300 bedrooms, 35% affordability (stretch goal 50%), 25% set-aside for people with disabilities, and a reparative framework for the historically displaced South Berkeley Black community. - The city received six proposals in July 2026. An evaluation panel shortlisted two teams: SAHA (Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, Deborah Matthews Development Consulting) and Related California with The Kelsey. SAHA was recommended as the primary developer; Related as the alternate. - SAHA's proposal includes: 341 bedrooms (100% affordable), 12 affordable townhomes for homeownership, universal design with Architecture for the Blind, generous open space, and a reparative framework including local hiring and historical education. The project leverages $8 million in Measure O funds already reserved. - Council members (Bartlett, Trego, Humbert, Blackaby, Kessarwani, Lunapara, O'Keefe, Mayor Ishi) unanimously praised the process, the team, and the focus on righting historic wrongs. Councilmember Bartlett emphasized that the project is about economic repair, not replacement. Councilmember Trego noted it was a proud moment from the 2018 Measure O bond. Key Outcomes - Joint Powers Financing Authority: Adjourned at approximately 5:58 PM. - City Council: - Approved the consent calendar as modified (including urgency item on census, adoption of companion reports, referral of special events item, and approval of all other items). - Unanimously approved (8-0) the adoption of two resolutions authorizing the city manager to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement with the SAHA team (with Related as backup) and to release a $1 million pre-development loan for the Ashby East Lot. The negotiation period is anticipated to last up to 12 months, with construction closing targeted for December 2031. - Approved discretionary fund allocations from multiple council members for items 26 and 27. - Next Steps: City staff will negotiate with SAHA; the development team will engage the community during the ENRA period. The final ground lease terms must return to council for approval. The project will also require a land surplus declaration and completion of the funding stack.