Resident accuses staff of secrecy over battery site and criticizes Kanawha Block project; council does not take immediate action

A resident sharply criticized city staff during public comment at the Jan. 5 Sumner council meeting, alleging improper handling of project approvals and a lack of transparency.

Randall Adams (Sumner) accused staff of having "decided to act illegally, dishonestly, immorally" and said staff approved a lithium-battery storage facility at the former Derringer Gymnasium without bringing the decision to the full council for a vote. Adams also said a recent staff presentation on the proposed Kanawha Block Heritage Park included an $11.6 million cost figure that had not been fully disclosed with a detailed breakdown, and alleged the project was a "bait and switch." He urged more open conversation and council oversight on such projects.

The mayor and staff did not rebut those allegations during the public comment period on the record. The meeting proceeded to new business items including the franchise ordinance and the flood response briefing. No formal motion or staff report correcting or confirming Adams’ assertions was presented at the meeting.

Council members and staff later praised the flood response and engaged with questions about damage documentation and reimbursement timelines, but did not resolve the public commenter’s allegations about the battery site or the Kanawha Park cost detail during this session.