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Whistleblower alleges health and permitting failures at local Walmart; nonprofit asks council to consider spay/neuter partnership
Summary
A whistleblower told the council of repeated refrigeration failures, asbestos found during a remodel and what he described as inconsistencies between state and city inspections, and asked for an independent multi-department investigation. A local nonprofit requested an agenda item to expand spay-and-neuter services and shelter partnerships.
During public comment the council heard two distinct appeals.
Kyle Morning, who identified himself as the primary complainant in a federal whistleblower investigation involving Walmart store 131, alleged multiple refrigeration failures over recent weeks that left meat, dairy and produce uncooled; he said a state inspection found asbestos during a prior roof demolition and that TCEQ has an open criminal investigation related to possible hazardous-waste dumping during the remodel. Morning said city records show the building department had no remodeling permits on file while work was underway and alleged a discrepancy between state substantiation of hazards and a city inspector’s note that ‘‘all food was protected from debris.’’ He asked councilwoman Corbell and the council to authorize an independent multi-department investigation and to place contractor and permanent inspection records on the public record.
Later in the public-comment period, Kim Haynes, who said she is a founding member of the nonprofit Titus County SNAP (Spay and Neuter Action Project), described recent clinics that have provided almost 200 animal services since June of the prior year and asked the council to add an agenda item to discuss city policies, shelter hours, outreach, and potential partnerships to expand low-cost veterinary services.
Council did not take action on the Walmart allegations during the meeting; the complainant requested that the council pursue an independent investigation and that records be provided on the record.
