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Residents press Woodbine council on alleged zoning relabeling, governance training and communication gaps
Summary
During public comment at the May 4 Woodbine council meeting residents raised concerns about a zoning relabeling that may affect private property, questioned the choice and timing of governance training, and urged improved communication and economic-development focus.
At the May 4, 2026 Woodbine City Council meeting, several residents used the public-comment period to raise distinct concerns about zoning, governance training and city communications.
J.R. Burns of 109 Yvonne Avenue told the council his property had been relabeled from residential to multi-family on the zoning map under the name "Second Street Developments" and asked for clarification; Mayor Kizziler Knight advised Burns to contact City Administrator Samantha Young for follow-up. Burns also had earlier presented the Reclaiming Woodbine Action Group’s mission statement and submitted a packet to the council.
Jannie Everette of 1106 S Court Avenue asked whether the selected governance-training provider would satisfy requirements in the city charter and whether the senator would be notified after training completion. Everette asked that citizens be included in the charter-review process and expressed concern about staff workload, suggesting City Administrator Samantha Young may be overextended.
Paula Garette of 205 E 7th Street urged the council to improve communication with residents and to take steps to spur local economic development, noting limited new business growth in Woodbine over the past 20 years and that growth appears to be occurring south of the city.
Shelly Williams asked about the status of the city’s initial auditing firm and why the firm had not been formally terminated. Mayor Knight said the city was not paying the initial auditing firm. City Attorney Brian Corry clarified the firm had not been engaged since the beginning of the year and the city was not paying two auditors at the same time.
Janet Health also asked whether the council had formally disengaged from the city’s lobbyist; City Administrator Samantha Young said that following the 30-day notice approved at the April 6 meeting, lobbyist services would continue through May 7. The council took no formal votes on these public comments; staff was asked to follow up with residents directly where appropriate.
