The most pressing topic was the removal of police officers from All Saints Catholic Academy and Beacon Christian Academy. Residents, including parents and community members, voiced strong opposition to the decision, which they argued compromised student safety. Ryan Walker, a speaker during the public comment segment, characterized the removal as an “outrage,” urging the council to prioritize school safety over budgetary concerns. He highlighted the city’s capability to fund other safety measures, such as crossing guards at places of worship, questioning why similar priorities were not extended to schools.

Stephanie Walker, another resident, underscored the urgency of the situation, noting the limited time left in the school year and urging the council to reconsider the decision until a permanent solution is found. Christine Peters raised concerns about perceived discrimination in security funding, questioning the disparity between Catholic and Jewish school coverage. Robert Aishek criticized the decision-making process as non-transparent and vowed to seek accountability for those involved, while Wesley Knight brought up unrelated issues about noise and pollution from a local scrapyard.

Council members attempted to address the concerns, clarifying that misinformation about school security funding had circulated and suggesting that principals could have requested additional funding for officer presence.

Another topic involved the discussion of a proposed ordinance on workforce housing. The ordinance aimed to incorporate high-quality design standards and a mandatory set-aside of 15 to 20 percent for low-income residents in new developments. A speaker supported the ordinance, advocating for developers to contribute back to the community, allowing public servants and school employees to reside closer to their workplaces. However, skepticism was expressed regarding the ordinance’s readiness, with concerns about potential adverse effects on the housing market and the adequacy of due diligence. Several council members called for a review before moving forward, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making.

The meeting also touched on infrastructure funding, particularly a resolution concerning the movement of funds from the city’s improvement fund. Some council members expressed concerns about reallocating money meant for infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of maintaining funds for necessary repairs like pothole fixes. A motion was made to withdraw the resolution for further review, highlighting the need for clarity and ensuring funds are appropriately allocated.

Further, the council handled various resolutions, including contracts for professional engineering services and adjustments to garbage collection times. A contract for an ESU FW loadmaster was awarded to Custom Truck, and subsequent resolutions involved agreements for legal and engineering services. The council also approved a proclamation designating May 8th as Blessed Miriam Teresa Demanovich Day, acknowledging her contributions to the community.

In closing, the council discussed an ordinance amendment due to a scrivener’s error and made appointments to municipal roles. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, with council members exchanging Easter greetings.