Ravenswood council approves Smokehouse lease, sewer authorizations and personnel actions after public objections

The Ravenswood Common Council at a May 19 meeting approved a lease for the Welcome Center "Smokehouse Pavilion," authorized city signatory authority for sewer projects, and approved several routine and personnel items after public comment raised procurement and ethics concerns.

Mayor Josh Miller called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. and the council approved prior minutes. Council accepted the resignation of City Recorder Jared Bloxton, whose written letter said, “It has been a pleasure serving the citizens of Ravenswood for the past 14 years,” and listed 5/14/2026 as his effective date.

Why it matters: The meeting combined routine fiscal and operational approvals with a contested lease decision that drew extended public comment about whether procurement steps, independent appraisal and conflict-of-interest risks were sufficiently addressed. Council also advanced infrastructure paperwork needed to pursue sewer projects and approved immediate personnel and contracting steps after an executive session.

Votes at a glance - Approval of prior minutes — mover: Amanda Slaven; second: Eric Cullen; outcome: approved. - Acceptance of City Recorder resignation — mover: Dee Scritchfield; second: Amanda Slaven; outcome: approved. - Water Project Draw 31 (MOVRC March 2026), $217.63 — mover: Eric Cullen; second: Amanda Slaven; outcome: approved. - Sewer Project Phase 2A Draw 30 (MOVRC March 2026), $6,146.33 — mover: Eric Cullen; second: Amanda Slaven; outcome: approved. - Authorizing resolution naming Mayor Josh Miller as signatory for Ravenswood Sewer Phase I and Phase 2B documents — outcome: adopted. - Resolution to change PEIA from Plan A to Plan C (FY 26–27) — mover: Dee Scritchfield; second: Todd Ritchie; outcome: approved. - Smokehouse Pavilion lease at Welcome Center — mover: Dee Scritchfield; second: Jeff Koon; outcome: approved (Councilor Eric Cullen recused himself from the vote). - Declaration of surplus property (listed devices) — mover: Amanda Slaven; second: Eric Cullen; outcome: approved. - Executive-session outcomes: pool supervisor pay increased to $20.00/hour; authorization for the mayor to solicit outside financial/accounting services — both approved.

Smokehouse lease controversy Public commenters urged delay and additional review before approving a proposed lease at the Welcome Center. Concerned citizen Jacqueline C. Dunlap asked the council to “postpone and table any vote on the proposed lease agreement until additional legal, financial, procurement, and ethics reviews can be completed,” citing a lack of documented market analysis, unclear insurance and maintenance responsibilities, and an apparent relationship between the lessee and a county elected official that could create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Other public speakers asked whether council was involved in initial negotiations and whether insurance or liquor liability would reduce the city’s net revenue from the lease.

Councilors discussed the risk of losing prospective tenants or contractors if action were delayed; the motion to approve the lease passed with one recusal. The transcript does not record a published independent appraisal or a completed market-analysis report tied to the lease amount.

Infrastructure and finance items Council adopted an authorizing resolution to allow Mayor Miller to sign federal and state documents related to sewer planning, design and construction for Ravenswood Sewer Phase I and Phase 2B. The meeting also authorized two small draws for water and sewer project invoices. Financial and budget concerns also surfaced in public comment: former council member Bob Staats urged the council to base next year’s budget on recurring revenues rather than one-time insurance proceeds from prior losses.

Parks, historic preservation and grants Reports from parks and downtown partners highlighted local projects: the Sayre Log Cabin restoration (worst-case estimate $57,000), ongoing EPA Brownfields site assessments for priority downtown properties and a proposed America 250 mural award. Parks staff emphasized deed and grant restrictions on McIntosh Memorial Park (Land and Water Conservation Fund and a 1934 deed) that constrain future redevelopment and advised the council that demolition decisions are on hold.

What’s next The council set its next meeting for June 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Several items discussed — notably the Smokehouse lease documentation and procurement records raised by public speakers — may prompt follow-up records requests or further council review, though the lease vote itself was approved at this meeting.

(Reporting based on the May 19, 2026 Ravenswood Common Council meeting transcript.)