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Residents urge safer J Street crossing; one applicant speaks for council appointment
Summary
Public commenters at the Oakdale council meeting raised safety concerns on J Street behind Oakdale High School, asked where to find budget documents, and one applicant—Ashley Hankins—introduced herself for a council vacancy.
Several members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period to raise neighborhood concerns and speak about civic participation.
Barbara Finley, who lives behind Oakdale High School, described recurring vehicle accidents and curb/outcropping hazards on J Street and urged the council to consider installing a traffic light or a four‑way stop to prevent potential injuries, especially where schoolchildren walk. The mayor asked Finley to leave contact information with the police chief so staff could follow up.
Applicant remarks: Ashley Hankins introduced herself as an applicant for the vacant city council seat. Hankins described Army service, work in behavioral health, and community volunteerism; she said those experiences motivate her application and her interest in supporting vulnerable residents.
Budget transparency question: Bonnie Alcatraz asked where residents can find budget information and expressed concern that some purchases had been funded from sewer and water funds. The clerk (Colleen) and staff offered to take contact information and provide guidance on where to find county and city budget documents; staff explained later in the meeting that certain vehicle purchases are charged to the sewer and water capital replacement funds when those departments exclusively use the vehicles.
The public-comment period concluded with the mayor closing comments and the meeting moving to the consent agenda.
