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Residents urge council action on ordinances, a ballot measure and cannabis access during public comment
Summary
Multiple public commenters asked the council to revisit an ordinance consolidation and raised concerns about SB 201 and state preemption; the fire marshal opposed Initiated Measure 28; and a resident asked for extended hours for medical cannabis dispensaries.
Public comment during the meeting included four substantive remarks.
Chet Ellsworth, a former Third Street resident, supported concerns raised earlier by a local commentator about an ordinance he said consolidated separation‑of‑powers authority into a commission and could diminish constitutional protections; he also raised statewide concerns about SB 201 and pipeline easements and cited an audit from March 19, 2024 as context.
Shannon Sandoval, the city fire marshal and local union president for professional firefighters (Local 4166), said firefighters and affiliated locals oppose Initiated Measure 28 on the ballot, arguing it could trigger significant municipal budget cuts, reduce personnel and increase ISO ratings that would raise residents’ insurance premiums.
Aaron Cooper, who identified himself as a local resident with mental disabilities, urged council members to consider extending cannabis dispensary hours (from an 8 p.m. closing toward 10–11 p.m.) to improve access for medical patients and noted the relative inconsistency between late bar hours and restricted dispensary hours.
Linda McEntee, a lifelong resident, used public comment to list community events, volunteer opportunities and local activities to counter social media claims that "there’s nothing to do" in town.
Provenance: Public comment segments span SEG 041–283.
