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Residents urge council to enforce land-use goals and raise ethics concerns in public comment
Summary
Multiple residents addressed the council during public comment, urging adherence to the town’s General Plan and raising ethics and conduct concerns about elected officials; others urged reconsideration of rezoning locations for industrial projects.
During the public comment period, residents raised two main themes: objections to proposed rezoning locations and calls for elected-official accountability.
Steve Karos of Pronghorn Ranch criticized Mayor Pagoda and the vice mayor, alleging the council diluted a proposed code of conduct and ethics policy and citing citizen complaints about a volunteer commissioner. "Public service requires commitment, accountability, and respect for the people who place their confidence in you," Karos said, calling recent council actions "extreme hypocrisy."
Patricia Betzold, speaking from Chino Valley, urged the council to abide by the Prescott Valley General Plan 2035 and to enforce the land-use plan or place changes on the ballot. She listed obligations she said the council must uphold, including protecting residents’ right to quiet enjoyment, natural resources and the local economy.
Resident Sandy Graham urged the council to consider alternate industrial sites inside the Big Sky Business Park—specifically parcel 402-14233-V (40.14 acres zoned IG) or land off East Valley Road and Enterprise Parkway—rather than the parcel near State Route 89A being considered for Project Links. Graham emphasized that not every rezoning request must be approved and said the council should weigh quiet enjoyment and traffic impacts for visitors along SR‑89A.
Jennifer Pratt addressed Councilmember Kenneth (surname not provided) and thanked him for a response to a prior issue but asked for gestures to rebuild trust following a ticketing incident she described as "resolved" but recent to many residents. Pratt called for council leadership to demonstrate how they have learned from mistakes.
Council responses during the meeting noted the public comments: the council acknowledged receipt of the remarks and proceeded with agenda items. No formal investigations or agenda referrals were recorded during the meeting based on the public comments in the transcript.
