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Residents press council on Miller Avenue grocery vacancy and camera-contract concerns
Summary
During public comment, residents sought a city point of contact for the vacant Whole Foods/Miller Avenue site and asked what outreach the city has made; another resident alleged previous refusals to accept a citizen-funded road project; separate speakers urged review of the city's Flock security camera subscription, alleging privacy and security problems.
At public open time, several residents raised separate concerns the council acknowledged. Jana Hildebrand said the empty Miller Avenue building (the former Whole Foods site) is a vital neighborhood asset and asked for an update on city outreach to Whole Foods, Amazon and the property owner. "Could you provide at an updated future council meeting a status on the Miller Avenue site, including any outreach the city has made to Amazon, Whole Foods, or the property owner?" Hildebrand asked. Mayor Burke replied that City Manager Todd Cusimano is the point of contact and has been engaged in the process.
Mike Gothel addressed the council about a private proposal he described to fund construction of a short road linking Circle Avenue and Buena Vista Avenue; he said the city declined his offer and alleged the council ignored a fiduciary responsibility to the neighborhood. The mayor thanked him and accepted a written copy.
Another commenter, Jonah Faust, urged the council not to renew the city's contract with Flock Security Group for automated license-plate reader cameras, alleging serious security and privacy vulnerabilities and citing recent national criticism and a congressional letter asking the FTC to investigate Flock. Faust said independent testing found exposed data and long retention of footage and that some cities paused renewals. Faust offered to forward his sources to the clerk; councilmembers thanked him for the information.
Council provided procedural follow-up: the mayor identified City Manager Todd Cusimano as the contact for Miller Avenue questions and staff agreed to review Circle Avenue concerns raised by the public. No immediate council action was taken on the Flock contract; the comment was entered into the public record for council and staff consideration.
