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Public commenters thank city for LGBT and BIPOC support, ask for senior meal funding and warn of trail closures
Summary
During the public comment period, residents praised city outreach to LGBT and BIPOC residents, a nonprofit described how Duvall Human Services grant funds support its senior nutrition program, and a mountain‑bike group warned of recent trail closures on private timber lands that limit local recreational access.
Multiple community members spoke during the Feb. 18 public comment period.
Kevin Hernandez thanked the council for a recent city statement and actions supporting LGBT and BIPOC residents, citing the How Far We’ve Come art installation and other city measures as evidence that Duvall "does have our back." He said the city’s response felt like “action, not words.”
Kira Avery, executive director of the Snow Valley Senior Center (speaking as a nonprofit representative), described how the center used Duvall Human Services grant funds in 2024 to support a congregate meal program. Avery said the center served 10,052 meals to 435 unique individuals in 2024 and that 24% of meal recipients identified as living in Duvall. She told council the program receives about $3.75 per meal in federal passthrough funding but that the center’s actual per‑meal cost is about $8, creating an annual shortfall that grant funding helps close.
Darren Bennett, representing the Cedar Crest Mountain Bike Club, reported that several trail systems on private timberland (Campbell Global property near Fall City and other parcels) have closed to recreational access and that volunteers are seeking alternative partnerships. Bennett asked the city to consider Duvall’s open space as a potential trail site and said local riders rely on volunteer maintenance of those off‑road systems.
Why it matters: Public comment highlighted social‑equity and human‑services funding impacts and raised a parks and trails access issue that could inform local open‑space planning and future grant or partnership efforts.
