Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge and oppose a proposed $50,000 emergency rental assistance request during public comment
Summary
During public comment the council heard contrasting views: Matt Cavalere (head of Shadic St. Mary School) urged a $50,000 emergency rental assistance allocation to prevent family evictions and downstream community impacts, while other residents, including Dana Plank, opposed using taxpayer dollars for undocumented residents.
Several residents addressed the council during the public‑comment period on Feb. 10 about a proposed $50,000 emergency rental assistance allocation and related community concerns.
Matt Cavalere, introduced as head of Shadic St. Mary School and a 22‑year community member, urged the council to consider the emergency allocation to stabilize families and avoid ripple effects across restaurants, hotels, public safety and social services. Cavalere said the requested $50,000 is a short‑term, emergency measure and not a full plan, and asked the council to weigh downstream consequences of widespread evictions.
In contrast, Dana Plank told the council she opposed allocating taxpayer funds to people she described as "illegal aliens," saying taxpayers should not fund housing for people without documentation and expressing support for continued immigration enforcement by ICE. Jonathan Kingland and other commenters urged fiscal restraint and asked whether surplus funds exist and whether returning surplus to taxpayers should be prioritized.
Gail Burke raised a separate, non‑related concern about neighborhood cat trapping, cited a Minnesota statute number in the transcript and said animal‑law attorney Barbara Jizzelson recommended drafting a local ordinance to protect cats from unlawful trapping and relocation. Burke said she had surveyed neighbors and urged the council to pursue an ordinance.
The comments were part of the public comment period; the transcript does not record council action on the $50,000 emergency rental assistance during the Feb. 10 meeting. Councilmembers did not vote on any emergency assistance measure at this session.
