Several residents used the council's public comment period on Dec. 15 to urge changes to City Hall access, to defend local food trucks as a tool for neighborhood revitalization, and to press council on a contested rezoning.

Ally Marcano, who identified as a Ward 4 resident, described physical barriers to using the dais and a lift that requires staff assistance and a locked door. Marcano said design plans for ramps exist and urged council to fund implementation so disabled residents do not have to compromise their dignity to participate.

Residents from Meadowood and Hampton & Chambers described a food-truck gathering that they said has brought foot traffic, energy and safety to a deteriorating intersection. Speakers asked the council to work with property owners rather than impose restrictive ordinances, and suggested the city could help formalize a low-barrier food-truck park that supports small-business entrepreneurship.

Neighbors opposing an Urban Cottages rezoning urged the council to consider nearby large developments, local topography and low transit ridership when evaluating requests for higher-density housing. Gary Pedersen said hundreds of nearby signatures oppose rezoning and asked council members to visit the site before taking action.

These public comments fed into later procedural steps: council agreed to continue the Urban Cottages hearing to the January meeting so the formal public hearing record can be preserved and citizen speakers can be heard again during that hearing.