What happened on Sunday, 16 February 2025
House Bills (Introduced), 2025 Bills, Maryland Legislation Bills Collections, Maryland
House Bill 24 offers grants, loans, and technical support for sewage disposal upgrades.
Seattle, King County, Washington
Presiding Judge Crawford Willis and Court Administrator Josh Sattler briefed the City Council Public Safety Committee on the court's 2024 accomplishments — including a $55 million case management system — current staffing pressures for marshals and plans being discussed for a citywide drug diversion program.
Richland County, Wisconsin
The committee approved the meeting agenda and January 27 minutes, unanimously entered and exited a closed session under state statute for personnel succession planning, forwarded a deputy union resolution to the full county board and adjourned by voice vote.
United Nations, Federal
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of acute humanitarian crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan, urged release of hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and requested predictable funding for African Union stabilization efforts in Somalia.
Sumner County, Tennessee
The Sumner County Library Board Budget Committee on Friday voted to forward each branch budget to the full county board while asking directors to provide follow-up details on staff pay requests, a countywide Comcast contract and several capital items.
Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
With a public presentation scheduled in about five weeks, the Town of Concord task force agreed to a consistent slide template (rationale, costs, risks/uncertainties, considered but rejected options), a poster with visual insets showing expected marsh and channel types, and a plan to divide speaking roles among members.
Richland County, Wisconsin
Interim administration leaders said they are prioritizing four major projects, including the Tyler migration, and asked the committee for patience instead of immediate contingency spending; they said policy and HR work remain to be scoped and that they will return with specific budget requests when needed.
United Nations, Federal
Speaking in Addis Ababa, the United Nations secretary-general called for immediate cessations of hostilities in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressed there is "no military solution," warned of the risk of regional war, and endorsed African Union–UN peace‑enforcement operations funded largely by assessed UN contributions.
Seattle, King County, Washington
Seattle’s City Council voted unanimously to approve a sales- and use-tax deferral program for conversions of underutilized commercial property to housing that include affordable units (council bill 120937). The bill implements authority created by state law (Senate Bill 6175).
Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Members discussed whether the town would need a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) after dam removal and reviewed limitations of the USGS StreamStats product; staff will seek written confirmation and estimate whether a LOMR would add about $50,000 to the budget.
Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Commissioner Frank Baca said he supports local community programs, infrastructure improvements on Bridge Boulevard and Asletta Boulevard, and development of the Mesa Del Sol sports complex to draw tournaments and tourist dollars to District 2.
United Nations, Federal
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told African Union leaders that decolonization did not resolve structural injustices, called for a reparatory justice framework and urged permanent African representation on the U.N. Security Council.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings, Trousdale County, Tennessee
Commissioners reviewed resurfacing bids for the Madison pool, expressed concern about costs and timing relative to pool opening and ARPA funds, rescinded a prior forwarding of the Madison recommendation to finance, and voted to collect more quotes and discuss party rates and season passes at the next meeting.
Richland County, Wisconsin
Interim County Administrator reported a three-year contract with Maximus US Services to prepare the county's central services cost allocation plans for fiscal years 2024'2026 totaling $12,450; he said he has procurement authority to proceed and only notified the committee.
Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Members asked staff to create a single table summarizing prior expenditures (30% design, RFIs, dredging solicitations and task force costs) so public materials separate historical spending from future budget requests.
Technology Corridor Development Authority Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee
The Technology Corridor Development Authority approved a limited parking expansion at Hardin Valley Station, allowing nine rear spaces but denying seven side‑lot stalls and related waivers to reduce landscape buffering along Charlevoix Road.
United Nations, Federal
At a press event in Addis Ababa, the United Nations secretary-general said the international financial system needs reform to give developing countries more voice and access to resources, urged more concessional finance and debt-relief mechanisms, and called for Africa to be included in technology advances such as artificial intelligence.
Richland County, Wisconsin
Committee members raised ongoing problems accessing meeting materials and other county records on iPads; staff outlined technical steps and a plan to pursue a long-term records-management solution and a new website rollout that will change how documents are viewed.
Seattle, King County, Washington
The City Council on Feb. 11 passed Council Bill 120916 to set new rules for crowd management and restrict some less-lethal tools, including new deployment limits on blast balls, after extensive public comment and multiple amendments. The bill passed 6-3.
Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
The Town of Concord task force on Tuesday reviewed a revised budget for proposed dam removal that preserves the Sumco removal subtotal of $1,100,000 and adds a $365,000–$730,000 range for stream-channel establishment depending on whether 1,000 or 2,000 feet are engineered.
Technology Corridor Development Authority Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee
The Technology Corridor Development Authority approved two waivers and a grading plan for the 12‑acre Level Place at Cornerstone development on Lovell Road, allowing increased hillside disturbance on previously altered slopes and requiring conditions including preservation of stream buffers and compliance with county engineering.
Torrance City, Los Angeles County, California
Miranda Liebig, an assistant engineer with Torrance City Public Works, introduced herself and said she aims to support clean water and water access through her environmental engineering work.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings, Trousdale County, Tennessee
Commission members said the playground cleanup and drainage were satisfactory ahead of a final inspection; the commission authorized a $1,100 sign with backlighting and discussed options to distribute unclaimed commemorative plaques.
Sumner County, Tennessee
The Southern County Library Board Budget Committee voted to forward library budgets to the full board while flagging major questions: a director request for large staff raises and new full‑time positions, unclear Comcast/internet costs and several capital requests including computer replacements and building repairs.
Spokane County, Washington
Dr. Alicia Thompson, administrative officer of the Spokane Regional Health District, described the agency’s mission, its opioid treatment services and a four-goal five-year strategic plan while discussing efforts to improve access, staffing and data infrastructure.
Technology Corridor Development Authority Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee
The Technology Corridor Development Authority approved a certificate of appropriateness for a 5'8" monument sign and a 4'4" directional yard sign at the Chelsea on Corner multi‑family development, with staff conditions to meet county zoning requirements.
Torrance City, Los Angeles County, California
Navitas Semiconductor hosted the Torrance Tech Committee at its headquarters to allow local technology firms to share projects, identify supplier and customer connections, and discuss prototypes for automotive and smart-city applications, organizers said.
Richland County, Wisconsin
Interim county administration reported the county will disable the AS/400 general financial system and begin using Tyler's software for payables/receivables and payroll next week; the county is also finishing appeals in a wage study with a consultant update forthcoming.
Greenfield City, Monterey County, California
The council adopted resolutions to initiate formation of a Landscape & Lighting Maintenance Assessment District No. 4 and a Street & Drainage Maintenance Assessment District No. 4 tied to recent Apple Avenue and Walnut Boulevard subdivisions.
Judiciary and Public Safety, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Minnesota
Senate File 505, a technical amendment package to last year’s contract-for-deed reforms, was amended and recommended to the Senate floor by the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee after the committee adopted the author’s A1 amendment.
Technology Corridor Development Authority Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee
The Technology Corridor Development Authority approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing Sineco Incorporated to replace an 18-square-foot aluminum sign on an office building in the Pellissippi Corporate Center, subject to zoning compliance.
Carroll County, New Hampshire
Delegation voted unanimously to adopt a three-year collective bargaining agreement for the sheriff's deputies and dispatch staff that provides large first-year salary increases, higher county share of insurance and earlier vacation accrual; the agreement takes effect April 1.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings, Trousdale County, Tennessee
Parks staff described a 50/50 TDEC grant option for Trey Park improvements and said a full application is due April 1; commissioners voted to pass on applying now and asked staff to hold public meetings and return with a formal plan if they choose to pursue it later.
Greenfield City, Monterey County, California
Recreation staff and Greenfield Community Science Workshop summarized year‑round and seasonal programming, announced a community meeting on the new community center and park (Feb. 18, 5:30–7 p.m.), and asked for volunteers to help with upcoming outdoor trips including a Feb. 22 Monterey Bay Aquarium visit.
Judiciary and Public Safety, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Minnesota
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate File 737, which would set escalating mandatory fines for repeat violations of Minnesota's school bus stop-arm law; testimony highlighted camera evidence, conviction rates and enforcement challenges. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in a transportation omnibus package.
Torrance City, Los Angeles County, California
Members of the Torrance Tech Committee described the group as a cross‑sector networking consortium that brings economic and cultural benefits to Torrance and encouraged other local firms to join; attendees were directed to contact the Office of Economic Development for more information.
Carroll County, New Hampshire
Carroll County's executive committee approved a series of year-end line-item transfers and re-signed an inmate housing agreement during a Feb. 15 work session, and authorized a $30,000 transfer for jail medical costs.
Richland County, Wisconsin
The committee discussed a draft short-term rental ordinance, including a proposed $25 local license fee, alignment with state licensing and switching short-term rentals from conditional uses to permitted uses when licensed; committee asked staff to refine the text and return in March.
Greenfield City, Monterey County, California
A Public Works representative gave the City of Greenfield a project-by-project update on wastewater repairs, generator hardening for lift stations, the Walnut Avenue pedestrian and bikeway improvements, pavement maintenance and dog‑park planning.
US Department of State
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israel's prime minister in Jerusalem to affirm coordinated pressure on Iran, press for the release of hostages in Gaza and discuss stability in Syria and Lebanon. Both officials criticized international legal bodies they say are biased against Israel.
United Nations, Federal
Michele Uva, UEFA’s director of sustainability, said UEFA joined Football for the Goals in July 2022 as the initiative’s first signatory company and described an 11-policy strategy aimed at advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals across football, emphasizing transparency, commitment and engagement.
Development, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
Nonprofit and business witnesses asked lawmakers to expand and extend the state housing tax credit, to restore or sustain Welcome Home Ohio grant levels, and to address energy and workforce needs that affect housing demand.
Seattle, King County, Washington
Purpose Dignity Action and partner agencies briefed the Public Safety Committee on Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), reporting outcomes from street‑based case management and lodging‑based "CoLEAD" and urging system design, sustained funding and improved data sharing with law enforcement and prosecutors.
Greenfield City, Monterey County, California
Tony Carrillo told the council his neighborhood coalition, Safe, Clean, and Affordable Water in Greenfield, has identified domestic wells with high nitrate levels and some 1,2,3‑TCP contamination.
Savannah-Chatham County, School Districts, Georgia
A resident told the meeting that the East Plus program has allowed students to attend buildings they are proud of and that facility quality supports a sense of belonging for children.
United Nations, Federal
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told African Union leaders that Africa pays higher borrowing costs, receives a small share of renewables investment and needs massive adaptation finance and fairer mineral value chains to realize its clean-energy potential.
Development, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
New OFA director Bill Beagle asked for roughly $18.9M (FY26) and $19.6M (FY27) to support agency operations, said OFA closed about $900M in loans YTD and urged continued support for the new state low-income housing tax credit amid high demand.
Richland County, Wisconsin
Committee voted to move a resolution approving an updated collective bargaining agreement for Richland County deputy sheriffs to the full county board after staff and the county attorney described minor language changes affecting an investigator position and shift-start ranges.
Greenfield City, Monterey County, California
A two-hour Brown Act training given to the City of Greenfield council and planning commission reviewed open-meeting requirements, teleconferencing exceptions, social-media guidance and penalties for violations, with staff and commissioners asking questions about field trips, serial communications and reasonable accommodations.
Development, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
The Department of Development told the House committee it is prioritizing large economic projects, small-business lending, brownfield cleanups and a proposed $100 million housing infrastructure program, while saying several federal broadband grants remain delayed.
United Nations, Federal
The United Nations secretary-general said humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza increased after a ceasefire but remain insufficient for roughly 2.3 million people, reiterated support for a two‑state solution, and urged negotiations on phases of a ceasefire agreement to prevent renewed conflict.