A resident at Monday’s meeting delivered an extended public comment alleging misappropriation of stormwater and sewage funds, improper handling of wetland permits and other misconduct; council members and the city manager denied the allegations and said independent audits have been clean.

The commenter — referenced in council remarks as Ms. Pesta — asserted that millions in stormwater funds have “disappeared,” questioned the handling of wetlands and drainage permits related to a proposed commercial site (a convenience store), and accused council members and staff of legal and financial misconduct. She also said audits and budget documents were missing or inconsistent online and urged further investigation.

Council members and City Manager Witt responded at length. Witt characterized the claims as without merit and reiterated the city’s audit history: “We have pristine audits… We have clean audits since the day I got here,” he said, calling the allegations “an agenda” and urging anyone with evidence to bring it to the appropriate authorities. Council members added that audit results are independently produced and referred to the state if criminality appears.

Council discussion also addressed whether the contested parcel near Maple and Decker is a wetland. Officials said the presence of wetlands in the past does not necessarily prohibit development and that state and county regulators would intervene if required. The council emphasized that the drain commissioner (county water resource commissioner) administers drain assessments and that the city does not receive those funds.

The exchange included interruptions and heated remarks from members of the audience; no formal follow-up action was recorded beyond council members saying they would “look into the issue” and staff noting they would address specific items in their upcoming comments.