During a recent government meeting, the board, led by Chair Shirley Kane, addressed several key issues, including the approval of previous meeting minutes and public concerns regarding the Asteri building in downtown.

The meeting commenced with a brief introduction of board members and staff, followed by the approval of minutes from the October 23rd meeting. An amendment was made to clarify discussions about the budget process and its implications for staffing at the Integrated Public Defense (IPD) office, which was unanimously approved.

Public comment was then opened, with resident Zach Wynne raising urgent concerns about the Asteri building. He presented evidence, including photographs and videos, highlighting severe issues such as animal waste, syringes, and security vulnerabilities, noting that the front door remains unsecured. Wynne reported a recent robbery and mental health crises occurring within the building, as well as a suspected overdose death. He expressed frustration over the apparent lack of planning and foresight regarding the building's management, drawing parallels to past issues at another facility, the Art House.

Wynne urged the board to outline any plans to address the deteriorating conditions at the Asteri, emphasizing the negative impact on the surrounding downtown area and the community's growing concerns. The board's response to these pressing issues remains to be seen, as they consider the implications of Wynne's comments and the ongoing challenges faced by the Asteri.