Residents urge city action on homelessness and support for St. Anthony’s rebuild after fire

Members of the public used the meeting’s comment period to press the council on two community concerns: services for people who are unhoused and support for a church rebuilding after a major fire.

Barbara Sundust, who identified herself and a Casa Grande address, criticized what she called an imbalance in city spending: she cited about $1,680,000 in public funds for pickleball courts and clubhouse renovations and asked why comparable resources were not being directed to shelters or cooling spaces for people living in cars or outdoors. "These are fellow human beings who deserve to be treated with respect," Sundust said, describing conversations with people she meets through Laundry Love and giving a specific example of a 67‑year‑old woman on $929 a month who faces $1,000 rent.

Janice Pratt, a parishioner and longtime resident, described the Oct. 18, 2024 five‑alarm fire that destroyed St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, said the parish had received a $10,400,000 insurance settlement but remained about $8,000,000 short of rebuilding costs, and asked the council and community to help remove barriers so the parish can rebuild and continue community services.

Tamara Santilli, a local teacher, used her comment time to promote a local ballooning business, Gentle Breeze Ballooning, saying the operator plans to hire locally and offering discount cards for residents and council members.

The presiding officer closed public comment and directed staff to take public concerns under advisement; the transcript does not record formal council action in response to the comments during this meeting.