Carbondale council members urge mediation and reaffirmation of ‘Safe and Welcoming’ policy amid public comments

At a regular meeting, members of the Carbondale City Council urged internal mediation and renewed public support for the city’s 2017 “Safe and Welcoming Communities” resolution while several residents used public comment to press council conduct and policy concerns.

Council member Blost told colleagues the new federal administration made it timely to reaffirm the 2017 resolution and to signal to residents that the city will not cooperate with demands beyond legal requirements. “We can set an expectation that where there is genuine question as to what the law is, that we seek relief in court before we cooperate with certain things,” Blost said, urging the council to reaffirm parts of the prior policy.

Council member Maxwell called for “peace within our city council,” asking colleagues to participate in mediation so the council could work “as a cohesive team” and focus on serving residents. Maxwell said leaders must “prioritize the well‑being of the city and the people who have entrusted us with this responsibility.”

Council member Kilman likewise emphasized protecting community safety and said she was “glad that we are a city that allows women to own their own bodies,” noting access to abortion care providers in Carbondale.

Several members of the public addressed council conduct. Georgia Della Garza, who identified herself as CEO of People’s Tribune and Tribune Hotel Pueblo and a long‑term Carbondale resident, spoke in support of Councilwoman Ry Sanders and condemned what she described as bullying of Black council members. “No city council member should ever resort to threats or intimidation,” Della Garza said, and she called for a quick resolution so the council could return to work on neighborhood issues.

A public commenter, Kimberly M. Brooks, pastor of MSW Ministries Global, used her time to voice spiritual objections to what she described as decisions during the pandemic that she said had allowed abortion clinics access to the city; Brooks characterized those decisions in strongly worded religious terms. Her remarks were presented as public comment and were not proposed as a formal council action.

Why it matters: Council cohesion and public trust affect the body’s ability to act on policy, budgets and services. Calls to reaffirm local policy and to pursue mediation indicate members see a need to address internal conflict in order to focus on city business.

No formal motions to adopt new policy or to commence mediation were recorded in the meeting minutes; members framed their remarks as requests and appeals to colleagues.

What’s next: Council members asked for patience while an investigation referenced by one member proceeds; no timeline for formal action on reaffirming the 2017 resolution or for mediation was announced.