Residents urge weekend gym access and warming stations; council hears cemetery master plan update

Speakers during the March 3 citizen comment period urged the council to prioritize weekend recreational programming and neighborhood support services, and city staff updated the council on cemetery master planning and site improvements.

Tony Kinsey told the council he had come despite a family medical emergency to ask that Parks and Recreation receive budget support to keep gyms open on weekends—particularly at Holloway—and to repair outdoor basketball courts he described as badly deteriorated. Parks and Recreation Director Scott Alston said gyms at Holloway and Fairfield are often reserved for family reunions and rentals during summer months, creating revenue conflicts with open programming; he committed to working with the Parks and Recreation Commission to find alternatives.

Quarla Blackwell described increases in neighborhood criminal activity during warm months along suspected drug-trafficking routes and advocated for warming and cooling stations, saying her Bridge Foundation (EIN obtained, 501(c)(3) pending) will host an event on March 13 at Lovett Hines. Councilmembers discussed inventorying the homeless population and partnering with nonprofit groups; Councilmember Sammy Aiken praised four local churches that provided shelter during recent cold weather.

Separately, Public Services Director Steve Miller updated the council on the cemetery master planning project, saying the city engaged a consultant to develop comprehensive plans, budgeted $54,000 for Southview fencing this year, and is studying use of over seven acres of wooded, sometimes flooded land. Miller noted Westview cemetery is about 60 percent occupied and underscored that cemeteries generate revenue through lot sales and require perpetual care.

Councilmembers and staff said they will continue to discuss program scheduling, funding priorities and outreach to nonprofits as the city develops the FY2026 budget.