Residents voice frustration over transparency and town-hall materials for proposed performing arts center

Several residents criticized the city's outreach and documentation for the performing arts center (PAC) referendum. Speakers said printed materials distributed at town halls were difficult to access via a QR code, that recordings and handouts were not made available, and that residents were left without clear answers about long-term financing, sponsorships and naming-rights strategies.

Maureen Gianone and Cindy Eid said they attended multiple town halls and found staff responses repetitive and, in their view, vague. Gianone said the referendum mailer arrived in August and that the QR-code packet resolved to nine pages that were hard to read on a phone; she asked how the city would ensure the public had sufficient time and documentation to make an informed ballot decision. Eid pressed the council to post the promised ethics report and to require public recordings and supporting materials for town-hall sessions.

Supporters and opponents of the PAC appeared in the meeting. The city manager said five community meetings were held (the last on Oct. 16) and that FAQs were available on the city website; staff also noted the city does not advocate for or against the referendum.