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Residents press council on civility, safety and vacant‑lot enforcement during public comment
Summary
Multiple Mount Rainier residents used the June 2 public‑comment period to praise recent city projects while urging the council to end infighting, address park safety for autistic residents, fix sidewalks and enforce penalties on long‑vacant properties.
During public comment at the June 2 Mount Rainier legislative meeting, several residents urged the council to focus on city priorities and community safety.
Emily Byrd told the council she was “still angry” that its censure item took precedence over other needs and urged members to stop obstructing progress; she also praised the mayor’s visibility at community events and listed recent improvements including new parks, sidewalks and traffic safety work. Derek Reynolds and other commenters echoed calls for civility and suggested shorter meetings to prevent deterioration of conduct late in long sessions.
Residents raised site‑specific concerns: Marriott Largess asked when a persistent gap between sidewalk and roadway on Shepherd Street would be repaired and whether camera enforcement near Mount Rainier Elementary could be permanent; City Manager Karush Kamali said camera placement will be data‑driven, with eight cameras operating at a time across 16 approved locations and the ability to keep units at problem sites. Thomas Vedrodi pushed the city to take stronger action on a long‑vacant property; councilmembers said the city increased the vacant‑lot penalty tax and that the manager is pursuing outreach to the owner and county permitting channels.
Shanette Robinson urged additional fencing at parks near water hazards to protect autistic children and requested clarity on police procedures when officers respond to homes with autistic residents. Chief Perez said residents may opt in to an address flag in dispatch so officers see relevant information when they respond. The city pledged to coordinate communications about the opt‑in program.
Speakers representing a range of neighborhood blocks emphasized both pride in recent municipal work and frustration with internal council dynamics. Councilmembers acknowledged the comments and directed staff to follow up on sidewalk repairs, vacant‑lot enforcement and outreach about the police dispatch opt‑in program.
