Resident asks council for formal statement on alleged lost CEIDC grants

A member of the public asked the mayor and city council to issue a formal, factual statement about "alleged lost grants" connected to the Community Economic Industrial Development Corporation (CEIDC), saying residents deserve clarity beyond opinion.

The requester (Speaker 5) told council members they needed "a formal declaration of facts, true and correct about the alleged lost grants," and urged officials to provide residents with the facts rather than "just his opinion," referencing an opinion reportedly written by Greg Richie. "We want to know not just his opinion, but we want to know the facts and the statements of what the council has so the residents could be informed," the commenter said.

Shortly after, another attendee (Speaker 6) said a document was "floating around town" that appeared to be a recusal from the district attorney related to CIDC and an ongoing investigation; the speaker said the issue involved more than one person and urged a broader review. The presiding official (Speaker 2) responded that the council office had not received any formal legal documentation and that any legal statement would be shared publicly if and when it arrived. "At this point, we have not received any legal documentation or request or information," the presiding official said.

Council did not announce any immediate action in response to the public comments; the presiding official emphasized the limits of the council's role and the need to avoid discussing matters beyond its authority until formal documentation is provided. The public commenter asked for the status of an MOU involving Mark Duran, Gentry and the superintendent; the council did not provide additional factual updates during the meeting.

The council did not make a formal finding or take a vote on the substance of the allegations during the meeting. Officials said they would share any formal legal statements from the office when those documents are received.