Committee actions on detention facility procurement, legal contract for PFAS firefighter gear, budget items, property surplus sale, and related public-safety measures

The Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee met March 24, 2026. Major items included authorization to execute purchase orders up to $1,370,381 with Brown & Root Industrial Services for site improvements at the Front Street Detention Facility; approval to engage Grant & Eisenhofer, P.A. on a sole-source, contingent-fee basis for litigation related to firefighter turnout gear containing PFAS; advancement of the FY2026-27 city budget as a committee substitute; direction to develop a funding plan for the Violence Prevention Fund for FY2028–29; declaration of certain Longfellow Park property surplus to allow sale to the Ronald McDonald House non-profit; and consideration of a $2,000,000 transfer from Unappropriated General Fund balance to the Police Department for overtime (document notes both advancement as committee substitute and that the item was held in committee). Several items were held for later committee consideration (including a River Cloud license, street vending code changes, Treanor contract amendment, Columbus Park TIF waivers, alcohol impact area code changes, and a moratorium on detention facility approvals). The agenda also noted possible closed sessions and public testimony procedures.