Wesley Chapel Mission Center urges budget support; resident raises business and safety concerns in Coyville

Two members of the public used committee public-comment time to raise neighborhood concerns and funding requests.

Kevin Corey, identified in his remarks as the executive director of Wesley Chapel Mission Center, asked council members to "please support our kids," told the committee his after-school program serves about 80 to 100 children a day (he referenced higher aggregated numbers earlier in his remarks) and said the program faces a budget shortfall. Corey asked that the committee consider Wesley Chapel Mission Center when funding opportunities arise and noted that the city budget process will bring the proposed budget to council on May 22, with a public comment hearing on the budget scheduled for June 3 and the legally required adoption of a balanced budget by June 30.

"Please support our kids," Corey said during public comment.

A second public commenter, identified as Stephon Pryor, raised concerns about a recent fatal incident and objections surrounding Stagger Lee's liquor store in Coyville, saying the business had invested money but that community members felt the business was being treated unfairly in the aftermath of a nearby killing. Pryor also referenced a Volunteer of America location near breweries and bars and said that proximity raised concerns; he urged the committee to look closely at those issues on an upcoming agenda.

Context and committee response: Chair Jan Michelle Kearney and committee members acknowledged the comments and highlighted the upcoming budget schedule as the formal opportunity for residents and organizations to advocate on funding priorities. Committee members urged anyone interested in budget advocacy to attend the June 3 public-comment hearing, which staff said would be held in City Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

No formal action was taken on either public comment; both were part of the meeting's public-comment period.