The council addressed a proposal to explore nonpartisan elections for local governance. An email from a diverse group of community members ignited the discussion. The council president explained the potential pathways to implement such a change: the council could vote to place a referendum on the ballot, requiring a supermajority of five out of seven votes, or citizens could gather signatures to prompt the council to put the question on the ballot. The council president emphasized the importance of community involvement in deciding whether to move forward with this idea.

Additionally, the council approved a resolution to sell the old firehouse site on Broad Street. The minimum bid was set at $4.6 million, based on a recent appraisal. The funds generated from this sale are intended to help service the debt incurred from constructing the new firehouse. Council members underscored the financial implications of the sale, with one expressing hope that the property could sell for more than the minimum bid, thus alleviating some financial pressure on the city’s budget.

Parking regulations on Park Avenue were another focal point, as the council deliberated on Ordinance number 25-3361. The ordinance, introduced by a council member, proposed converting underutilized employee parking spaces into two-hour paid customer parking while retaining some spaces for all-day employee permit parking. The change came after collaboration with nearby businesses and community feedback. During a public hearing, no comments were received, and the council moved to approve the ordinance, recognizing the importance of addressing parking challenges for local businesses.

The council also revisited the Tatlock Playground project, which is set for completion in two phases. The first phase will introduce new play structures, like an owl play feature and balance nets, while maintaining some existing equipment. The second phase, anticipated for 2026, will replace an old climbing structure with a new steel tunnel slide. The project benefitted from input by local students and a citywide survey. The contracts for the project were awarded to Copen Inc. through cooperative pricing agreements.

Furthermore, the council approved a resolution for contracting Jones Lang LaSalle Associates, Inc. to conduct an auction for the old firehouse site, with council members noting the professionalism of the firm and expressing confidence in achieving a favorable sale price for taxpayers. Additional resolutions addressed plumbing and electrical services for future years, with the council ensuring that all companies met the bidding specifications.

In another discussion, the council considered renewing the city solicitor’s contract. While some members expressed strong support for the current solicitor, citing consistency and institutional knowledge as vital for effective governance, others argued that the incoming council should have input on such decisions.

Public commentary during the meeting included a call for the council to consider adopting the Immigrant Trust Act, aimed at limiting inquiries about immigration status when accessing public services. Another member of the public shared personal experiences of harassment and threats, using these experiences to advocate for civil discourse and challenge authority figures.