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Residents criticize outreach and timing for facilities levy tied to stadium, fire and police projects
Summary
Members of the public said the levy was portrayed as an emergency despite prior planning statements, asked for earlier resident engagement, and criticized reported door‑to‑door contacts by the mayor; the council scheduled facility tours and indicated follow-up.
Several residents told council they felt blindsided by a levy intended to fund a new fire/administration building, police department expansion and stadium renovation. During public comment, Liza Durbin urged the city to publish the 18‑month planning record, list options that were evaluated (including alternatives to the levy) and provide estimated costs for each option so residents could see what was considered before the emergency designation.
Durbin said other cities sought resident input earlier via town halls and surveys and suggested the city should do the same. She also said a neighbor reported a visit from the mayor after posting a “Vote No” sign; she described that visit as “intimidating” and said it would have been more appropriate to hold outreach before the levy was positioned as an emergency. Councilmember Shelly Kroeger asked Durbin to forward her questions by email so staff can respond.
Mayor Robert “Bo” Bemmes defended engaging voters directly and asked for specifics about the reported door-to-door visit so he could apologize if warranted. He emphasized that community tours are scheduled to allow residents to view facilities and ask questions: tours are set for April 9, April 15 and April 25, beginning at City Hall and then at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The council did not vote to change the levy at this meeting; members encouraged residents to attend the tours and submit written questions for follow-up.
