At the start of public comment at the Sept. 2 meeting, downtown business owner Sarah North asked the council to consult downtown merchants before approving a four-day street closure for the Steampunk Festival. "...not 1 has responded favorably to keeping 4 days," North said, adding, "4 days is a very, very long time."

During the same public-comment block, speakers asked the council to approve short, safety-focused closures for nonprofit events. Anna Lemon, accompanied by Seth Wade, asked for use of a stage for the Child Advocacy Center and said the group "don't need any street closures or anything like that." Seth Wade was described in the record as the musician who has donated proceeds for seven years.

Council members voted to approve the Child Advocacy Center's request with a motion conditioned on receiving required insurance documentation; city staff indicated that the insurance was "coming." The council also approved a request from Douglas Community Services to close Hill Street on the east side of Main for its second annual Burgers and Brews event on Sept. 27 to raise money for scholarships; the applicant said the event would use part of a privately owned parking lot and that organizers would confirm permission with the lot owner.

Council members asked staff, including the police chief and streets staff, to confirm barricade placement and public-safety arrangements for the closures. Council approval in the transcript is recorded as voice votes in favor; the approvals were routine and conditioned on the usual event requirements (insurance, coordination with property owners and departments).