Resident urges transparency on executive sessions, asks for moratorium on data center talks

During the May 13, 2026 special meeting, resident Diana Lamar of 1303 F Avenue used the public comment period to press the City of Douglas for greater transparency around executive sessions labeled "strategic technologies" or "strategic innovations." Lamar said she had submitted public-records requests and asked the council to provide clearer descriptions of the subject matter discussed in executive sessions, limit the use of nondisclosure agreements and impose a moratorium on data center discussions until the community had been consulted and received expert bipartisan input.

Lamar said public records she received indicated discussions as recently as January 2024 with one or more companies interested in locating a data center near the airport and raised concerns about potential water usage implications. She asked whether the council would commit to more transparency and broader public engagement on such matters.

Mayor Jose Grijalva thanked Lamar and noted, for the record, that he had not signed any nondisclosure agreements. City Attorney Denis Fitzgibbons told the meeting that because Lamar's remarks were part of the public comment period and did not single out an individual for criticism, the council did not have the right to formally respond at that time.

Lamar closed her remarks by briefly announcing a diaper drive being conducted by Douglas Indivisible at the upcoming Douglas Days event, saying diapers of any size would be accepted and that the organization would be distributing diapers free of charge to community members in need.