The Public Meeting Index

The Economic and Workforce Development Committee met on October 27, 2026, from 2:03 p.m. to 3:08 p.m. to consider the Launch SA contract renewal and receive a return-on-investment study of economic development incentives. Committee Chair Viegeran presided, with members Castillo, Galvan, Mesa Gonzalez, and Spears present. No agenda or minutes were available; this summary is based on the meeting transcript. Speakers were allowed two rounds of comments per item: five minutes in the first round and three minutes in the second. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the previous meeting by voice vote, with a motion, second, and all ayes. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak, and no public comment was heard. Discussion: Launch SA Program Administration and Contract Renewal - Charles Wooden, CEO of Geekdom, introduced the presentation, describing Geekdom's three focus areas when it applied for the Launch SA RFP: accessibility, valuable resources, and one-on-one consulting/advising. - Matt Espinosa, Director of LaunchSA, presented the impact of the three-year contract between the City of San Antonio and Geekdom, which began in 2023 and focused on relaunching Launch SA. Highlights included over 1,000 people served through one-on-one advising sessions, over 2,500 assistance request form submissions, a Launch SA Link partner network of 68 partners, more than 700 hours of partner collaboration, over 500 events with more than 10,000 attendees, and a library roadshow with events in all 10 council districts. - Launch SA also ran Waypoint, an eight-week early entrepreneurship program for businesses from zero to six months old, and small business peer groups of 6 to 10 business owners, including at Sip and Sit coffee shop. Planned initiatives included a veteran entrepreneurship cohort and digital presence/AI education workshops. - Alfred Brewer, Assistant Director for Economic Development, recommended exercising a one-year extension of the agreement with three additional one-year renewal options, funded by $602,280 from the Economic Development Incentive Fund, matched 100% by Geekdom, and moving the item to full City Council. - Councilmember Spears asked for outcome data, district breakdowns, and program metrics. Matt Espinosa said assistance requests split roughly 50-50 between pre-startup businesses and existing businesses; the roadshow reached each district. Alfred Brewer stated that about 16 participants had completed the two Waypoint cohorts to date, and the committee would receive additional data. The transcript also includes Matt Espinosa saying "about 30" business owners went through the Waypoint program, a figure that is not reconciled with the later 16-participant count. - Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez asked about post-startup support, physical space needs, district/industry breakdowns, and collaboration with Supply SA. Matt Espinosa said the peer group was open to businesses past one year, common industries included food and beverage, retail, and business services, and Supply SA was a Launch SA Link partner. - Councilmember Castillo asked about district-specific data, peer group trends, metric tracking, the Waypoint curriculum, and alignment with the city's strategic framework. Alfred Brewer said Launch SA plays a key role as connector/infrastructure in the small business ecosystem. - Chair Viegeran requested future reporting with growth goals, including increasing advising by 2-3%, raising partner/mentorship activity from a cited 747 figure toward 800, hosting at least four regional events plus one downtown, and strengthening work with legacy/family-owned businesses and veterans. - The committee voted unanimously to move the Launch SA agreement to full City Council. Discussion: Economic Development Return on Investment Study - Dr. Steve Niven presented the third return-on-investment study of City of San Antonio incentive programs, covering all monitored active projects through December 31, 2025, excluding terminated/recaptured projects and pre-2010 projects. - Methodology: costs included Economic Development Department staff time on incentive programs; revenues included real and personal property tax, sales tax from created jobs, and CPS Energy revenue. The analysis period ran from 2010 through 2051, using the incentive term doubled and flatlined beyond actual project lives. - Results: $33.6 million in program administration costs and almost $11 million in incentives granted produced $316.4 million in total revenue to the city, $172 million in net revenue, and $3.7 billion in total private sector investment. ROI figures were $33.66 in private sector investment per dollar of incentives, $9.42 in revenue per dollar of program spending, $2.86 in revenue per dollar of incentives, and $2.19 in revenue per dollar spent on both programs and incentives. - Compared with the 2022 study, revenue per program dollar rose slightly from $9.39 to $9.42; revenue per incentive dollar fell from $3.73 to $2.86; and combined ROI fell from $2.67 to $2.19. Dr. Niven attributed the changes to a different project mix and noted the original Toyota project was not included; staff added that the most recently approved Toyota agreement, with $3.6 billion projected investment, was also not included. - Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez asked how the data should guide future investments; Anna Bradshaw noted the current incentive policy proposal lowers the minimum capital investment from $10 million to $5 million to encourage capital investment. - Councilmember Castillo asked about CPS Energy revenue methodology, the E16 rate, staff cost assumptions, and excluded infrastructure/public safety costs. Staff said they would follow up on whether any analyzed projects received E16 incentives and that staff costs were applied proportionally based on time. - Councilmember Spears asked about jobs, which projects performed well, and whether peer-city benchmarks existed. Dr. Niven said the study was unique and no clear benchmark was available; Anna Bradshaw said project-level analysis occurs during incentive consideration, while this study is an aggregate indicator. - Chair Viegeran characterized the ROI as positive but noted lower returns than 2022 because there was no Toyota-scale project; she requested district-specific details, connection to zoning, and ways to highlight infrastructure and community benefits from development. - The item was for briefing only; no action was taken. Key Outcomes - Approved previous meeting minutes unanimously. - Unanimously recommended moving the Launch SA agreement renewal and $602,280 funding to full City Council. - Received the Economic Development Return on Investment Study as informational; no vote was held. - Staff committed to provide additional data on Waypoint participation, district and industry breakdowns, peer group metrics, and E16/CPS Energy follow-up. - The next committee meeting was announced for November 23.

The Grand Rapids City Commission met on October 27, 2026, to consider a proclamation, several routine resolutions, a major parks master plan update, a zoning text amendment, and a mid‑year budget follow‑up discussion. The meeting also included a motion to enter closed session for pending litigation. Proclamation – National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week - Mayor David LeGrand read a proclamation recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 25–31, 2026). - The city has replaced over 9,000 lead service lines, made more than 2,000 homes lead safe, and trained more than 3,500 individuals in lead‑safe practices. - City staff noted that since 2003, the city has brought in $38 million in grants, conducted over 1,000 community outreach events, and assisted nearly 160 Section 3‑eligible individuals and companies. - Overall lead exposure in children is now about one‑third of what it was in 2003, with the highest‑exposure zip codes now lower than the lowest neighborhoods were in 2003. Consent Agenda – Unanimous Approvals - A development liquor license for Miro Mediterranean LLC at 10 Ionia Avenue NW was approved. - Two social district permits were approved: one for 125 Ottawa NW and one for 53 Monroe Center NW. All items passed on voice votes without opposition. Parks Master Plan – Public Hearing Set - Laura Claypool, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the 2027–2032 Parks Master Plan, which establishes a five‑year framework for investments, programming, and community engagement. - Engagement included events at eight city parks, 655 one‑on‑one resident conversations, and 1,738 online survey responses. - The plan’s four goals are Connected Network, Healthy Community, Neighborhood Investments, and Sustainable System. - The plan will be available publicly on October 29, 2026, online and in hard copy at four libraries. - Commissioners expressed support and offered comments on community‑building, neighborhood equity, dog‑friendly spaces, and the importance of health and environmental connections. - A public hearing was set for December 1, 2026, at 7 p.m., with adoption scheduled for December 15, 2026. The motion carried unanimously. Zoning Text Amendment – Grand River Overlay District - Planning Director Kelson presented a recommendation to eliminate self‑storage as a permissible use in the Grand River Overlay District. - The change was designed to align with the city’s vision for active, vibrant riverfront uses. No existing self‑storage facilities are known to be affected. - The commission voted unanimously to establish November 10, 2026, for consideration of the amendment. Budget Follow‑Up – Partial‑Year Funding Decisions - City Manager presented four items that were partially funded for the first six months of the fiscal year and require commission action to continue: - Office of Equity & Engagement – Administrative Officer (MWBE capacity building): 6‑month cost $78,000. - Office of Sustainability – Administrative Analyst (energy/carbon): 6‑month cost $63,000. - Enhanced communication support (Seaford contract): 6‑month cost $50,000. - Our Community’s Children program (youth engagement): 6‑month cost $92,000. - Total six‑month gap is $283,000; full‑year would be $566,000. The city has about $144,000 in unbudgeted resources, requiring use of fund balance for full funding. - Commissioners expressed strong support for continuing all four programs, citing the importance of youth programming, sustainability, equity, and transparent communication. - The City Manager indicated a formal budget amendment will be brought back for vote on December 15, 2026. An update on the Public Safety Trust Fund (approximately $1.7 million) was also discussed, noting that $400,000 of that fund had already been allocated. Closed Session - The commission voted unanimously (6‑0) to move into closed session to discuss pending litigation. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval of three liquor/social district permits. - Parks Master Plan public hearing set for December 1, 2026; plan release on October 29, 2026. - Zoning text amendment to eliminate self‑storage along the Grand River set for November 10, 2026 consideration. - Consensus to continue funding all four mid‑year budget items; formal budget amendment scheduled for December 15, 2026 vote. - Closed session authorized for pending litigation.

The New York City Council Committees on Women and Gender Equity and on Criminal Justice met jointly on October 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at 250 Broadway, Hearing Room 2, for an oversight hearing on maternal health and criminal justice. Chair Amanda C. Farías and Chair Sylvina Brooks-Powers led the hearing. Present were Councilmembers Aldebol, Gutiérrez, and Santosuosso; Schulman was absent. Other attending members included Brooks-Powers, Morano, Cabán, Hudson, Feliz, and Narcisse, along with Public Advocate Williams. The committees examined prenatal and postpartum care, mental health services, restraint policies, and nursery and doula programs for pregnant and postpartum people in New York City jails, and heard testimony on Intro 0902-2026, Intro 1144-2026, and Resolutions 464, 497, and 498. No votes were taken. Discussion Items - Oversight: Maternal Health and Criminal Justice. Chair Farías stated that the intersection of maternal health and criminal justice is a public health and human rights crisis. She cited data that 90% of New York City jail admissions are people of color, although people of color are 52% of the city’s general population; that Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes; and that a 2025 Arnold Institute report identified 52 incarcerated people reported as pregnant by Correctional Health Services. She noted gaps in mattresses, food, outdoor time, lactation support, and pregnancy information. Chair Brooks-Powers described the need for timely care, coordination between DOC and CHS, and attention to mental health in pregnancy and postpartum. - Intro 0902-2026 – Mental health protocols for pregnant and postpartum people in DOC custody. This proposal would require DOC to establish written protocols for identification, screening, referral, monitoring, and follow-up care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with mental health needs. CHS Chief of Nursing Nancy Arias testified that CHS largely already follows these practices, but asked to refine the language to avoid legislating clinical decision-making and raised concerns about requiring identification of postpartum status when a patient does not disclose it voluntarily. - Intro 1144-2026 – Gender-based violence report. The committees heard that this proposal, listed as T2026-2561 on the agenda and as Int 1144-2026 in the minutes and transcript, would require a report analyzing gender-based violence in New York City. Her Justice expressed support and recommended including data from service providers and family courts. - Res 0464-2026 – Postpartum mental illness as a sentencing mitigating factor. The resolution calls on the State Legislature and Governor to recognize postpartum mental illness as a mitigating factor in criminal sentencing. Public witnesses supported the measure; one witness urged broader coverage of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. - Res 0497-2026 – Prohibiting restraints during labor and custodial interrogation. Councilmember Hudson urged passage of the state anti-shackling bill. Public Advocate Williams and multiple advocates supported it, citing the May 2026 case of a person who gave birth while restrained in a Brooklyn courtroom and prior reports of full-body restraints on Rikers Island. New Hour asked that no chapter amendments be made. - Res 0498-2026 – Postponing court proceedings in late pregnancy. Councilmember Hudson explained that people late in pregnancy should be able to postpone court proceedings rather than choose between their health and court obligations. New Hour also supported this proposal and noted the need for virtual court options. Agency Testimony - Correctional Health Services (CHS). Nancy Arias, Chief of Nursing, reported that women are about 8% of the jail patient population; as of September 2026, 82% of women in CHS care were enrolled in mental health services, 47% had serious mental illness, and 34% had opioid use disorder. She described pregnancy testing at intake, referrals to CHS obstetrics, joint telehealth visits with Elmhurst Hospital, ultrasounds, prenatal education, mental health screening, and discharge planning. CHS does not budget by diagnosis; the prenatal nurse position was vacant for more than a month. - Department of Correction (DOC). DOC officials described a doula contract with the Caribbean Women’s Health Association (two doulas, at least twice weekly, with an approximately $200,000 contract spanning four years, about $50,000 per year), 20 women served and more than 400 hours of doula support from January to June 2026, and the Rose M. Singer nursery. DOC reported that 52 pregnant individuals were in care last year; 15 people gave birth while in DOC custody from 2023 to 2025; and no reports of restraints on pregnant or postpartum people were filed in the past three years. Missed obstetrics appointment non-production rates were: 2023 on-island 27% and off-island 69%; 2024 on-island 37% and off-island 43%; 2025 on-island 53% and off-island 40%. DOC policy treats restraints as an absolute last resort for known pregnancy or eight weeks postpartum, uses front restraints only, and requires a report. - Nursery and housing. DOC stated the nursery is fully operational, has a maximum occupancy of about 15 mother-infant pairs, currently houses one mother with an infant, and has housed eight infants since 2022. Pregnant people in custody are offered voluntary transfer to the nursery; one application was pending, and others had refused or anticipated release. DOC reported 482 women currently in custody, while the planned borough-based capacity for women in the Queens detention complex is about 450 beds. DOC was open to discussing whether women could be housed in more than one borough. - Board of Correction. Interim Executive Director Melissa Cinton Hernandez and colleagues testified that the board received complaints from pregnant people about beds, food, healthy food, and access to care. Director Chency Augustin described two pregnant people in general population who were present during incidents involving chemical agents, one while showering and one with asthma. The board recommended reopening or creating a dedicated dormitory for pregnant people, updating the nursery application process, and strengthening the board’s data access. It also noted that minimum standards do not address infant clothing. A board representative said there were five women in custody who were pregnant or receiving postpartum care, plus one mother with an infant in the nursery, and mentioned one person who disclosed a stillbirth and had not met with a mental health professional since. - Deadlocking questions. Chair Brooks-Powers also questioned DOC about individualized lock-ins, white paper tags on cell door switchboards, prior Department of Investigation findings, and Board of Correction recommendations. DOC declined to comment on pending litigation and said it would follow up on the status of tags, potential discipline, and audits. Public Comments & Testimony - Brooklyn Borough President’s Office (Hannah Mae Powers): Expressed full support for Intro 902 and Resolutions 464, 497, and 498. Stated that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect about one in five perinatal women; that among reproductive-age women in the carceral population, studies show 43% meet lifetime criteria for serious mental illness, 53% for PTSD, and 82% for substance use disorder; and that over 80% of women in New York City jails have mental health concerns. - Her Justice (Rachel Bronstein): Supported Intro 1144 and urged an expansive definition of gender-based violence data, including data from legal service providers and divorce proceedings. - Brooklyn Defender Services: Supported compassionate care and opposed forcing people to give birth behind bars or in restraints. A representative highlighted the need for trauma-informed gynecological care and noted that many clients are afraid to seek gynecological exams. - New Hour (Isabella Seda): Supported Resolutions 497 and 498, asked for expansion of postpartum mental health categories in Res 464, and urged that health protocols in Intro 902 be established by health professionals rather than DOC. - VOLS Incarcerated Mothers’ Law Project (Olivia Pickard): Supported Intro 902 and described clients experiencing intense anxiety about parental rights, including a client asked to sign away parental authority hours after birth without speaking to a lawyer. - Women’s Prison Association (Liz Suavola): Supported the legislation and urged reducing incarceration and closing Rose M. Singer Center. She stated it costs about $500,000 per year to incarcerate someone at Rikers and that the number of women incarcerated at Rikers recently surpassed 500, nearly double the number from five years ago. - Community members: A member of the Cattell Center for Equity, Health and Justice and Khalil Tucker of the Community Hub called for closing Rikers Island, holding hearings on the island, auditing DOC and CHS, freezing funding, and holding leadership accountable. Key Outcomes - The oversight hearing was held and the oversight report was filed by committee. - Int 0902-2026, Int 1144-2026, Res 0464-2026, Res 0497-2026, and Res 0498-2026 were heard and laid over by the committee; no votes were taken. - The committees requested DOC and CHS to follow up in writing on several items, including the written restraint policy, data on deadlocking and white tags on cell door switchboards, racial demographic data for pregnant patients, nursery application and review timelines, and unanswered operational questions. Chair Brooks-Powers said a follow-up letter would be sent. - Written testimony may be submitted to testimony@council.nyc.gov within 72 hours of the hearing.

On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the New York City Council Committees on Public Housing and Aging held a joint hearing in Hearing Room 1 at 250 Broadway, New York, NY. The agenda was T2026-2464, an oversight review of Older Adult Centers (OACs) located in NYCHA facilities, and Int 1083-2026, a bill that would require the Commissioner of Aging to designate at least one financial literacy advisor to serve in each OAC for at least 20 hours per month. Public Housing Committee Chair Chris Banks and Aging Committee Chair Susan Zhuang presided. Roll call showed six members present and one member excused. The hearing included opening statements, provider testimony, agency testimony from NYC Aging and NYCHA, council questioning, and public testimony. Public Comments & Testimony - Sarah Morgridge, board member of Riverstone Senior Life Services, testified that Riverstone has been housed at NYCHA's senior development at 99 Fort Washington Avenue for 40 years and described severe difficulties after the building entered the RAD/PACT program with a private landlord she referred to as PRC. She stated that PRC's actions caused Riverstone to lose property liability coverage twice, that PRC refused to remove outdated and illegal fire panels, and that PRC was pressuring Riverstone to sign a license agreement containing conditions such as eviction for failure to maintain insurance. She also said PRC required investor approval to replace a faulty HVAC system in the memory center, and Riverstone paid for that repair. She called on the council to include nonprofit providers in forming next steps. - Patricia Lynch, older adult supervisor at Millennium Development, testified that her organization operates three OACs in NYCHA facilities with a fourth opening next month. She described leaks, lack of heat, difficulty getting repair tickets resolved, unclear responsibility, lack of formal MOUs or leases, and lack of place-of-assembly designations. She said providers are written up by NYC Aging and FDNY and asked for better communication, clear ownership of issues, and a commitment to resolving problems rather than passing responsibility around. - Bridget Lee, on behalf of the Weinberg Center for Elder Justice, supported Int 1083. She stated that more than one in five older New Yorkers live in poverty, 45% of NYCHA households are headed by someone 62 or older, financial exploitation occurs at a rate of 41 per 1,000 older adults in New York State, only 1 in 24 elder abuse cases is reported, and 67% of verified financial exploitation perpetrators are family members. She noted that Americans age 60 and older reported nearly $8 billion in losses to the FBI in 2025, a nearly 60% increase, with an average loss of about $38,000 per person. She urged four amendments to Int 1083: require training on elder abuse and financial exploitation, require scam intervention training, require advisors to share contacts with elder abuse service providers, and require NYC Aging to consult elder justice providers on advisor qualifications and training. - Anita Kwok, policy analyst at United Neighborhood Houses, testified that OAC providers in NYCHA facilities face unresolved repairs, unclear site control, and repair projects paused for years. She said NYC Aging and NYCHA often defer responsibility to each other, providers are sometimes asked to take on responsibilities such as extermination or to sign leases without city funding for rent, and a dedicated funding stream for fully funded capital services is needed. - Christopher Leon Johnson testified in support of Int 1083 but asked that the required advisor time be increased from 20 hours per month to at least 40 hours per month. He also raised concerns about poor Wi-Fi and cell signal at NYCHA community centers and asked the city to invest in connectivity infrastructure. - Rosemary Salazar, program director at University Settlement's older adults program, testified that the fire panel at the Neighborhood Center is not connected to the FDNY alarm system or any monitoring company and that NYCHA has refused to correct the issue, saying responsibility lies with the community-based organization. She stated that FDNY inspectors repeatedly reported the need to repair or replace the panel to NYCHA in 2024. Agency Testimony - Dr. Lisa Scott McKenzie, Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging), testified that there are 105 OACs primarily serving NYCHA residents across the five boroughs, that nearly 150,000 older adults attended an NYC Aging OAC in FY 2026, and that about one-third of those attendees were at centers serving NYCHA residents. She said NYC Aging provided more than 6.3 million meals at OACs in partnership with the council, and that 12,686 older adults receiving NYC Aging services are known to live in NYCHA across all programs. She described the complaint process through NYCHA's Customer Contact Center, regular review of open tickets by the NYC Aging-NYCHA liaison, and quarterly leadership meetings. She said NYC Aging completed 56 projects in FY26, many made possible by a $5 million Council grant, including a kitchen renovation at Bronx River OAC and a roof and AC replacement at Samuel Tilden OAC. On Int 1083, she said NYC Aging agrees with the intent of the bill but is reviewing its implications and preliminary rollout costs. - Eva Trimble, Chief Operating Officer of NYCHA, testified that NYCHA's campuses are home to 77 older adult centers, with an additional 28 centers at PACT developments. She said NYCHA and service providers share responsibility for maintaining centers, with NYCHA generally responsible for building systems and providers generally responsible for interior maintenance and minor repairs. She highlighted the reopening of the Edenwald Senior Center after it had been inoperable for 25 years. She reported that over the past year OACs submitted approximately 1,700 work orders, almost all of which were closed and completed by NYCHA, with about 250 still open. She said the average response time was about 12 days and the average days to close a work order was 12.8 days. She said NYCHA estimates approximately $900 million in capital need for older adult centers, and that there are currently 60 FDNY violations and two DOB violations at OACs. She also said NYCHA does not have a formal repair agreement with NYC Aging, although staff meet biweekly and leadership meets quarterly. - Abigail Fradkin, NYCHA Deputy Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer, testified that NYCHA is again accepting council-allocated capital funding after a temporary pause due to staffing shortages, and that the pause was lifted. She said NYCHA has completed seven discretionary-funded OAC projects, has 16 active projects with a total budget of about $57 million, and has six planned projects currently in discussion. Discussion Items - Chairs Banks and Zhuang raised concerns about long-standing leaks, including a reported two-year leak at the LaGuardia and Dykeman older adult center. Commissioner Scott McKenzie said she had recently visited Dykeman and saw no active leak there, but NYCHA and NYC Aging committed to follow up on LaGuardia and report back. - Council members asked repeatedly about the division of responsibility between NYCHA and NYC Aging. Agency officials said NYCHA handles roof leaks, major plumbing, HVAC systems, and building envelope issues, while providers handle minor interior repairs such as broken doorknobs, minor painting, and small ceiling tiles. NYC Aging said it does not perform direct repairs outside of small items funded by council allocations. Several members pressed the agencies to reduce finger-pointing and give providers clear instructions. - Council members raised the lack of leases or MOUs at many OACs. NYCHA stated that OAC providers are not tenants, that OAC spaces are treated as community spaces rather than commercial spaces, and that only a handful of license agreements are in place at PACT sites. NYCHA said it encourages providers and PACT partners to sign license agreements but does not require them. - The hearing included substantial discussion of RAD/PACT conversions. NYCHA said PACT conversions generally include modernization of community centers when funding allows, but that Section 8 rents cannot be used for community center renovations, so city subsidy is needed. Councilmember Banks asked whether OACs could lose previously allocated capital funds after a conversion; NYCHA said it is handled case by case and could not guarantee that no site has ever lost money. - Council members asked about closed OACs. NYCHA said three centers were closed over the past year due to unsafe conditions: Glebe Avenue, Lattimer Gardens, and Randall Avenue/Balcom. Regarding Lattimer Gardens, which served about 700 seniors, NYCHA said the center closed because of persistent roof leaks, the roof replacement is not currently funded, and if funding were confirmed the project would take about four years. - Council members raised ADA compliance. NYCHA said not all OACs are ADA compliant, no complete count was available on hand, and bringing all centers up to standard would require significant capital investment. - On Int 1083, Commissioner Scott McKenzie said the bill would likely require new financial literacy staff rather than relying on case managers, and gave a preliminary rollout cost estimate of $2 million to $3 million. She said NYC Aging is exploring alternatives such as advisors shared across centers or mobile services. - Councilmember Brewer asked how NYCHA plans for future needs such as kitchen upgrades and proactive projects. NYC Aging said it maintains a running list of desired projects and will share that list with the council. - Councilmember Restler raised a $6 million Brooklyn borough president allocation for older adult center upgrades and said his office had received no updates from NYCHA. NYCHA said it would look into the specific allocations and provide updates. - Councilmember Hudson asked about capital improvement pipelines for OACs, specifically the William Hodson OAC. NYC Aging said there is no standing capital pipeline and that funding for comprehensive improvements generally comes from direct allocations by elected officials and from PACT conversions. Key Outcomes - The oversight resolution T2026-2464 was held and filed by the committee. - Int 1083-2026 was heard and laid over by the committee for further consideration; no vote was taken. - NYC Aging and NYCHA committed to provide follow-up data and reports, including the status of the LaGuardia/Dykeman leak, a breakdown of the approximately 1,700 OAC work orders and 250 open tickets, borough-level OAC statistics, the number of OACs that are ADA-compliant, the list of completed and planned OAC projects, funding information for the William Hodson OAC, and updates on the Brooklyn borough president's $6 million allocation. - NYC Aging stated it would continue biweekly ticket reviews with NYCHA and quarterly leadership meetings, and would continue sharing a joint tracker of repair requests. - Written testimony was accepted for the record until 72 hours after the hearing by email to testimony@council.nyc.gov.

The Community Development Committee met at 9:18 AM on October 27, 2026, to consider 13 agenda items. All items were approved or authorized unanimously. The meeting included discussions on pedestrian safety enhancements, cost overruns on bids, and easement acquisitions. Consent Calendar The following items were approved without additional debate: - Resolution approving a fireworks discharge permit for failed entertainment at Van Andel Arena for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus on October 29, 2026. - Resolution approving a fireworks discharge permit for Pyrotech Special Effects Inc. for the Triumph concert on November 16-17, 2026. - Resolution approving a fireworks discharge permit for Pyrotech Special Effects Services for the Jonas Brothers concert on December 15, 2026. - Resolution setting November 10, 2026 as the date to consider a major amendment to the Village at Knapp's Crossing Planned Redevelopment District at 2036 Suite A, 2110 East Beltline Avenue NE (adding a drive-thru use). - Resolution approving design phase services with Tetra Tech of Michigan PC for expansion of the renewable natural gas conditioning system at the Water Resource Recovery Facility for $210,000 (total not to exceed $230,000). - Resolution approving an increase of $236,085 for the Grand River East Riverfront project from US 131 to the CSX railroad, bringing the total to $20,293,530, due to coordination issues with catenary lighting and bases (funding supported by Fishbeck). - Resolution approving an increase of $548,997 for the Eastern Railroad to Ann Street Grand River Trails East project, bringing the total to $6,907,234, to provide match for a DNR grant. - Resolution accepting an easement at 701 Ann Street NW for $1, related to a private development by Profile Films Properties to add a sidewalk. - Resolution accepting an easement at 2010 Kalamazoo Avenue SE for $900, related to the rotomilling and resurfacing of Burton Street. - Resolution approving extensions to agreements for bridge inspection services and an increase of $25,000 to Scott Civil Engineering for bridge inspections, total not to exceed $90,900. Discussion Items - Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons and Bollards (Item 6): A resolution approving an increase of $75,000 for installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at various locations, for a total not to exceed $1,550,845. The Michigan Street Corridor Improvement Authority requested the addition of bollards (curb extensions) at two critical locations to shorten crosswalks, prompting the increase. Commissioner Belshack noted that bollards had not been part of the conversation at the Corridor Improvement Authority meeting, leading to a request for further information. The item was approved. - Easement at 100 Alger Street SE (Item 10): A resolution accepting an easement for $65 in connection with the reconstruction of Alger Street from Division Avenue to Madison Avenue. Discussion clarified that the 100 block is just east of Division Avenue (the zero line). The item was approved. - Rejection of Bids for Boiler Line Replacement (Item 12): A resolution rejecting bids for the Water Resource Recovery Facility boiler line replacement. Bids came in significantly above the engineer's estimate ($140,000 estimate vs. approximately $500,000 bid). The facility will seek alternative heating arrangements and rebid in the spring. Commissioner Belshack asked about the cost increase, and staff explained that contractors are very busy, leading to premium pricing on tight schedules. The item was approved (bids rejected). Key Outcomes All 13 agenda items were approved or authorized without dissenting votes. The committee rejected the bids for the boiler line replacement (Item 12) and will rebid later. Additional information was requested on the bollard addition for Item 6.

The Fiscal Committee of the City of Grand Rapids met on October 27, 2026, at 8:30 AM to consider 12 resolutions and receive two financial reports. All resolutions passed unanimously, and reports were received and filed. The meeting covered grants, contracts, budget amendments, salary adjustments, and economic updates. Discussion Items - Item 1 – Highway Safety Grant: Resolution accepting a $25,269.59 grant from the Office of Highway Safety Planning for traffic enforcement, including two LIDAR units. Staff noted the traffic unit was recently expanded with two additional officers for evening enforcement. Unanimously approved. - Item 2 – Election Communications Grant: Resolution accepting a $12,000 grant from Voters Not Politicians Education Fund for radio ads promoting early voting, same-day registration, and civic engagement. The Clerk emphasized that content is reviewed for accuracy. Commissioners praised the nonpartisan outreach. Unanimously approved. - Item 3 – Website Platform Contract: Resolution approving a three-year contract with GHD Services Inc. (GHD Digital) for the GovStack website platform, not to exceed $140,000, including tools to meet federal web accessibility requirements by April 2027. Discussion noted the website serves as a hub for multiple city digital tools. Unanimously approved. - Item 4 – Routine Program Documents: Resolution authorizing the mayor to sign routine program documents for Community Development and Economic Development for calendar year 2027, primarily related to mortgage subordination and deed corrections. Unanimously approved. - Item 5 – United Response Fund MOU: Resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Heart of West Michigan United Way for the Grand Rapids United Response Fund, with $100,000 in seed funding from the FY27 budget. The fund provides rapid assistance for disasters not rising to state/federal emergency levels. United Way will distribute funds to partner organizations serving residents. Commissioners discussed eligibility, tax implications, and fundraising for longevity. Unanimously approved. - Item 6 – Healthy Homes Coalition Contract: Resolution amending the contract with Healthy Homes Coalition for lead awareness, education, and filter distribution, adding up to $225,000. Originally funded by 3rd Ward participatory budgeting ($500,000), the program will expand citywide. Commissioners highlighted the coalition's trusted reputation. Unanimously approved. - Item 7 – Substation Replacement Budget Substitution: Resolution authorizing a $541,755 budget substitution for the North Primary Control Substation Replacement at the Water Resource Recovery Facility, due to low bid exceeding engineer's estimate. No budget impact. Unanimously approved. - Item 8 – Trails Budget Substitution: Resolution authorizing a $587,200 budget substitution for the Eastern Railroad to Grand River Trails East project, using savings from other projects to provide local match for DNR and other grants. Unanimously approved. - Item 9 – Godfrey Avenue Budget Substitution: Resolution authorizing a $3.4 million budget substitution for the Godfrey to Market to Oxford project (utility and road reconstruction, planned for 2028), using previously unspent funds. Unanimously approved. - Item 10 – Salary Ordinance for Emergency Communications Operators: Resolution amending the wage scale to settle grievance No. 26-42, adjusting the top step for ECO3s from $40.52/hr to $41.33/hr (affecting two employees, $4,000/year each). Unanimously approved. - Item 11 – Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 4 (FY27): Resolution amending Section 1 of Budget Ordinance 2026-11, covering appropriations and grant funds: $300,000 for Challenge Scholars to College, contributions for Sullivan Field improvements, $70,000 for College is Possible campaign, and $300,000 for River Edges Trail from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Contingency remains at $1.5 million. Unanimously approved. - Item 12 – Bid List Resolution: Resolution approving the October 27, 2026 bid list, including water meters (large ticket) and temporary services contracts totaling $4.5 million awarded to four firms. Unanimously approved. - Item 13 – Comptroller's Warrant Report & Small Claims Report: Report for period September 22–October 12, 2026, showing cash payments of $71,680,271.61 (including $12.6M payroll and $1.3M income tax refunds, 461 refunds issued). Quarterly small claims report: 21 claims totaling just over $53,000. Received and filed. - Item 14 – Treasurer's Report & Fiscal Year-End Investment Portfolio Summary: Treasurer reported producer price index at 6.3% (4.5-year high), inflation at 3.4%, and fuel price volatility. Investment officer Levi Bolt presented the FY2026 year-end portfolio (as of June 30, 2026): $683 million in reserves, earning 3.46%, emphasizing safety, liquidity, and yield. Portfolio includes U.S. Treasuries, Michigan MSHDA bonds, and mortgage-backed securities; unrealized losses of $12.8M are not expected to be realized. Also highlighted diversity in broker dealers including MBEs. Received and filed. Key Outcomes - All 12 resolutions (Items 1–12) passed unanimously. - Comptroller's and Treasurer's reports (Items 13–14) were received and filed.

The Committee on Appointments met on October 27, 2026, from 8:00 to 8:14 a.m. to consider two appointments and discuss current board and commission vacancies. Consent Calendar - Resolution confirming Hannah Greening’s appointment to the Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority was moved and supported. Commissioner expressed support, noting Greening is a realtor and was recommended by Commissioner Purdue. Concerns about diversity and conflicts of interest were raised but acknowledged as being addressed by staff. The motion carried unanimously. - Resolution approving the 2026–2027 Mayor’s Youth Council appointments was moved and supported. Shannon Harris, Executive Director of Our Community’s Children, and Zachary Larrow, OCC Program Coordinator, presented the cohort of 23 student leaders from over 10 high schools representing all three wards. The council meets monthly with the mayor and organizes signature events. Comments praised the program and its impact. The motion carried unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items - The Clerk updated the committee on the current board and commission vacancy list as of October 27, 2026. Noting the election season, the Clerk indicated that year-end processes are underway and that neighborhood corridor authority appointments have been moved to a different time of year. The Clerk also highlighted the need for a holistic offboarding process. Commissioner Isassi noted a vacancy on the Vital Streets board (a city commission appointment) and reminded members to submit PIFs promptly for vetting. - Commissioner asked about the possibility of revisiting the First Ward vacancy appointment after the election. The Chair stated he was not supportive of restarting that conversation, preferring to let the election determine the new commissioner. Another commissioner concurred, citing that the prior appointment process did not succeed and that it is better to wait until January. No action was taken. Key Outcomes - Two appointments approved: Hannah Greening to the Land Bank Authority and the 2026–2027 Mayor’s Youth Council. - The committee will continue to monitor vacancies and refine offboarding procedures. - The First Ward vacancy will not be appointed before the November election; a new commissioner will start in January 2027.

The City and County of Honolulu held a meeting on October 26, 2026, to receive a presentation and discuss Charter Amendment No. 2, a ballot measure proposing to rewrite the preamble of the city charter. The proposed new language seeks to recognize the relationship between the people and the ʻāina (land), honor kupuna (elders) and Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, and affirm commitments to transparent, accountable government and stewardship of natural, civic, and cultural resources. Discussion Items - Presentation on Charter Amendment No. 2: The body received a detailed briefing on the proposed amendment. The presentation explained that the measure would replace the existing opening statement of the city's constitution with new language emphasizing Native Hawaiian values, cultural heritage, and governmental accountability. - Supporters' Position: The presentation noted that supporters view the amendment as a meaningful recognition of Native Hawaiian history and a clear promise of transparency and public involvement. They see it as a statement of shared responsibility to the land, water, and community. - Concerns Raised: The discussion also highlighted limitations of the amendment, which were presented as typical constraints of a preamble. It was noted that the amendment would not create new funding, impose new duties on city departments, or establish new legal rights enforceable in court. Consequently, passing the amendment alone would not alter land-use decision-making processes or change open government rules. - Framing of the Amendment: The presentation characterized the measure as primarily symbolic and directional, posing the fundamental question for the body's consideration: whether these values belong at the forefront of the city's charter. Key Outcomes - The meeting concluded with the comprehensive information having been presented and discussed. - No formal votes, motions, or referrals were made. The discussion served as a deliberative and informational session regarding the scope and implications of the charter amendment.

Mayor Mike Nelson called the Billings City Council regular business meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. on October 26, 2026. Councilmembers Kennedy and Aspen Leiter were absent. The council approved the consent calendar, adopted new stormwater system development fees after a public hearing, approved a downtown tax increment financing reimbursement, and heard courtesies, proclamations, and public testimony. Courtesies, Proclamations, and Reports - Megan Gibson, Yellowstone County Behavioral Health Coalition coordinator, reported on the coalition's strategic plan and Situation Table. She said the SAMHSA Mobile Crisis Grant began September 30, an implementation plan is due January 30, 2027, and mobile crisis services must be operational by March 30, 2027. The team will include a clinician through the Community Crisis Center and an EMT through the fire department. - Police presented a Citizens Hero Award to Dustin Harbok for his actions following a motor vehicle collision on July 14, 2026. - Mayor Nelson proclaimed November 1, 2026 as Extra Mile Day, November 2026 as Epilepsy Awareness Month, and November 6, 2026 as Adaptive Performance Center Day. Representatives from the Epilepsy Foundation Montana and the Adaptive Performance Center spoke in support. - Councilmember Pittman reported that the legislative committee met with federal lobbyists. Councilmember Nees reported that the budget committee discussed Wilson Park, Dealer Park, the CIP, and upcoming budget amendments. The Interim City Administrator noted that consent item 1P did not need a resolution at this time, the TIF application had been emailed to council, and city offices would be closed November 3, 2026 for Election Day. Consent Calendar - Council approved the minutes from October 12, 2026. - Council approved the consent agenda as submitted and corrected by staff. Recognized donations included $3,500 from the Billings Public Library Foundation, $13,500 from the Friends of the Library, and a $2,500 grant from the Teen Science Cafe Network. - Item 1P was corrected to reflect that no resolution is needed at this time; only action to initiate the Future Land Use Map amendment was required. - Item 1K, a $164,000 Justice Assistance Grant split between the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, drew significant public opposition. Staff said the application requests equipment including interior patrol SUV equipment, less lethal equipment and munitions, ballistic protective equipment, inventory and equipment management software, and uniforms for bike patrol, honor guard, and ceremonial assignments. Staff and the city attorney said the city would be limited to the requested uses unless the grant were formally changed. The item remained on the consent agenda, and the consent agenda was approved by voice vote. Audience outbursts after the vote led the mayor to issue a second warning and threaten removal if they continued. Public Comments & Testimony - Before the consent vote, Jeffrey Kettleson opposed agenda item 3, the downtown TIF assistance, calling the downtown urban renewal district a "parasite" and claiming it had given away roughly $43 million of school district money over 16 years while the district's taxable base grew from about $7 million to about $7.5 million. - Lane Dorsey, Andrea Story, Ellis Tillery, Andrea Wolfe, Daylight Horse Capture, and Art Alvarado, several speaking with or in support of the Billings Alliance for Immigrant Rights, urged the council to remove item 1K from the consent agenda and vote against it. They argued the grant could support ICE and Border Patrol collaboration, cited Department of Justice grant language, and described local incidents involving immigration enforcement. Art Alvarado testified that he and his 90-year-old mother were detained at their home and said he is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. - During the stormwater system development fee public hearing, Jeffrey Kettleson praised the council for the proposed fee and urged future impact fees for police and fire services. Ellis Tillery thanked the council for holding a separate hearing on the stormwater item. - During non-agenda public comment, Bailey Desper requested that the council schedule a future agenda item dedicated to affordable and income-based housing, with input from the local continuum of care and the upcoming point-in-time count. Ellis Tillery asked the council to restrict federal grant funds from being used to cooperate with immigration enforcement agencies. Jennifer Strong supported item 1K and argued for border enforcement. Mindy Nelson spoke about her union and postal service background and criticized the council. Ellis Tillery also delivered a lengthy statement condemning the council's approval of item 1K and its response to public opposition. Discussion Items Stormwater System Development Fees - Agenda Item 2 - Staff presented the proposed stormwater system development fees. The fee schedule includes a base fee of $967 per equivalent residential unit, meaning a single-family residence would pay $967; a duplex would pay $1,450; commercial properties would pay $513 per ERU if connected to the stormwater system or $329 per ERU if not physically connected, based on impervious square footage and a service demand credit. - Staff estimated the fees would generate $800,000 to $950,000 in annual revenue, depending on development activity. The fees would take effect January 1, 2027. Accessory dwelling units are exempt. - The Impact Fee Advisory Committee and Budget and Finance Committee had recommended adoption, and the council had previously advanced the proposal from a work session. - Councilmember Nees moved to approve the resolution adopting the stormwater system development fees as recommended by staff. Councilmember Shaw seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Downtown TIF Assistance for 213 North Broadway - Agenda Item 3 - Staff clarified a discrepancy in the agenda title, saying the recommended amount before the council was $585,092. The applicant, Lee Humphrey, presented plans to renovate the building for Edward Jones and said the downtown project cost about $3.5 million compared with roughly $2 million for a similar project elsewhere, which he said justified the TIF assistance. - The proposed reimbursement was not to exceed $585,092, scheduled as one payment in fiscal year 2028, with a development agreement to be executed within 180 business days. Staff said the TIFF cash forecast showed capacity for the payout. - Councilmember O'Donnell expressed concern that the TIF amount was about one-sixth of the total project and questioned the district's return on investment. The Downtown Billings Partnership development director said the district continues to perform positively and that its taxable value growth compares favorably with the rest of the city. - Councilmember Nees said he would oppose the request because he wants downtown TIFF priorities to focus on housing rather than commercial projects. - Councilmember Shaw moved to conditionally approve the TIF assistance up to $585,092 as recommended by the Downtown Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee. Councilmember Lindley seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, with Councilmembers O'Donnell and Nees voting no. Key Outcomes - Approved the October 12, 2026 meeting minutes. - Approved the consent agenda, including the contested Justice Assistance Grant item 1K. - Adopted the stormwater system development fee resolution. - Approved downtown TIF assistance for LDH Properties LLC at 213 North Broadway up to $585,092. - Heard non-agenda public comment without council response, then adjourned.