Public commenter raises concerns about 'Bronze Star' naming, picnic‑table removals and creek work; later calls out Brown Act issue

A member of the public, Matthew Colter, left on‑record remarks during the commission’s public‑comment period and later phoned back to request a correction to the meeting minutes.

In his public comment, Matthew Colter said the commission’s use of the phrase “Bronze Star” for a civic recognition program is “misleading or inappropriate” because the term is commonly associated with a military combat medal. Colter said he was concerned the phrasing could be confusing when used for civic awards that are unrelated to heroic military action.

Colter also commented on park facilities. He praised the renaming of Memorial Park to Lou Contearth (per his comments) and asked that picnic tables removed during park work not be left out of the park permanently: “I would hope that we could get the picnic tables replaced so people could enjoy that end of the park…they were all removed.”

On environmental concerns, Colter told commissioners he was worried about work along local creeks related to a Loma Rica forestry/clearance action, saying crews had not maintained a 30‑foot setback from creeks and that clearing occurred during nesting season, which he described as resulting in increased debris in the creeks and a decline in creek health.

Following the meeting discussion, Colter left a voicemail expressing frustration that his original comment had been improperly transcribed or summarized and stating: “This is Matthew Colter calling back about the Brown Act violation…Terry McAteer completely butchered my comment,” and requesting a callback at the number he provided. The commission responded in the meeting that transcripts and voicemail transcriptions are included in the meeting packet and that the item can be reviewed; staff noted the meeting is recorded and posted on YouTube for playback.

Why it matters: the remarks raised concerns about the wording of a civic recognition program, park amenity removals, creek management during vegetation/clearance work, and transparency in meeting records. Commissioners responded by clarifying the award name (the committee uses the term Citizen Star Award) and by noting how meeting materials and voice‑mail transcriptions are archived.

No formal action was taken in response to these public comments. Commissioners clarified in the meeting that the award program under discussion is the Citizen Star Award and that staff will include voicemail transcriptions in the minutes packet; the commenter requested a callback.

Ending: Commission members recommended the commenter review the recorded meeting, the voicemail transcription in the packet, and to follow up with staff for clarifications; the commission recorded the comment and the caller’s request for correction.