Residents press council on homelessness, historic‑site delays and cannabis concerns during public comments

A series of off‑agenda public comments on Feb. 4 gave council a direct snapshot of neighborhood priorities: homelessness service providers and unhoused residents urged more wraparound supports; volunteers and clients of Ivy Ranch Park Association asked that historic‑designation processes not stall the nonprofit’s services for people with special needs; and a resident asked the city to deny local cannabis licenses tied to brands he said face enforcement and youth‑marketing allegations elsewhere.

Homelessness: Speakers described homelessness as driven by trauma and urged policies that provide stable housing plus case management and mental‑health supports. One speaker, Heather DeGrand, said she is houseless and emphasized that homelessness ‘‘is not a character flaw’’ and called for community support beyond handouts.

Ivy Ranch: Volunteers and program clients said Ivy Ranch provides critical equestrian‑therapy services and emergency evacuation staging, and they asked the council to ensure historic‑designation work does not impede the ranch’s ability to expand or continue services.

Cannabis licensing concerns: A resident urged the council to deny or scrutinize cannabis permit applications tied to a particular brand and ownership group, citing public reports and civil litigation alleging connections to illicit market activity and youth‑targeted marketing in other jurisdictions.

Outcome: Comments were received for the public record; council members asked for follow‑up updates on Ivy Ranch and staff indicated they would circulate a pass‑through memo with current status.