During the latest city council meeting, all members were present except Deputy Mayor McGee, as the council convened to discuss various agenda items and hear public comments. The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, which passed unanimously.

Public comments were welcomed, with a reminder that participants could speak on any topic at the beginning of the meeting. However, those wishing to address specific agenda items were encouraged to wait until those items were discussed. Each speaker was allotted five minutes to share their thoughts, with the council emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue.

One notable public comment came from Brian Dow, a resident of Centralia, who raised concerns about parking availability in light of new developments in the area. Dow pointed out that the plans for a project at Umqua Bank included only 26 parking spots for 32 residential units, which he argued was insufficient. He advocated for a minimum of one and a half parking spots per unit, citing increased congestion due to nearby facilities like the Evergreen Playhouse and the United Learning Center.

Dow expressed frustration over the current parking situation, noting that the neighborhood has been increasingly crowded, particularly during events at the Evergreen Playhouse. He highlighted the need for the city council to consider parking requirements in future developments to accommodate both residents and visitors, especially as local attractions draw larger crowds.

The meeting underscored the council's commitment to engaging with community concerns while navigating the complexities of urban development and infrastructure planning.