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Council pulls proposed DOJ 'Model Cities' grant after community objections
Summary
Item 16 — a proposed U.S. Department of Justice grant application — was pulled from the Aug. 5 agenda after residents and immigrant‑rights groups raised concerns about federal enforcement ties and potential impacts on community trust.
City staff announced at the start of the meeting that three items were being pulled, including item 16: a notice of intent to apply for a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grant. City Manager explained the item was pulled prior to staff presentation amid public concern.
Community advocates and immigrant‑rights organizations who addressed the council during the public‑comment period urged the city not to pursue the DOJ program in the future. Natalia Saka, policy advocate for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, told the council, “We respectfully ask that the city not bring this grant forward for future considerations.” Multiple speakers said the DOJ solicitation includes priorities and cooperative‑agreement provisions that could require ongoing DOJ involvement and cited concerns that those provisions could enable immigration‑enforcement cooperation.
The city manager also clarified related public concerns about a separately approved cannabis relocation and said the city had updated an ordinance on the municipal website that had been missing. Councilmembers acknowledged constituent worries about the DOJ initiative and staff pulled the item; members and speakers requested more transparency and deeper community review before any future application. Several community groups provided written comments and petitions opposing pursuing the DOJ program without stronger public safeguards.
