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Public commenters press council on Path of History contract redactions, cannabis storefronts and candidate conduct
Summary
Speakers during public comment asked the council to release a design contract that has been delayed and redacted, urged a pause on commercial cannabis storefront approvals over safety and financial concerns, and submitted allegations against a council candidate; council voted to receive and file submitted investigation materials.
Several members of the public used the council's non-agenda comment period to raise procurement transparency, land-use and election-related concerns.
Ron Marocco said the Path of History design contract has not been presented to council and that records he obtained were heavily redacted with "no explanation" for the redactions, and he asked the council to receive the contract so design work can proceed. "No explanation was given as to why it was redacted," Marocco said, and he asked staff for a transparent public-records process.
Rick McQuillan described a volunteer business-development initiative for Artesia Boulevard (an "Occupy Artesia"/"See Artesia" effort) to reduce vacancies and promote events, and he invited the city’s economic development staff to collaborate.
Brad Waller, a city council candidate, urged the council to "pause the ordinance process" on commercial cannabis storefronts, citing industry instability, reporting about pesticide use and the potential for incoming elected leaders to change city policy.
Dan Elder, identified as serving on the school board but speaking for himself, disputed campaign claims he called politicized and said prior hearings and Measure SD addressed charter issues regarding the school district; Elder called repeated attacks on the district politically motivated.
Marie Puterbaugh submitted an attorney-prepared report alleging that candidate Ralph Strutzenberg violated meeting rules and displayed a pattern of intimidating behavior; she formally submitted the investigation for the record. A council member moved and the council voted to receive and file the materials.
The public-comment period included a mayoral candidacy announcement by Jojie Canton and various requests for hearings and contract transparency. Council did not take policy action on the matters during public comment but voted to receive and file the submitted investigation documents.
