Residents urge council to back Marie Hester for Housing Authority and raise Dixie Manor concerns

Several residents used the public‑comment period to urge the City Council to support Marie Hester for the Housing Authority Board and to press the council to review planning actions affecting Dixie Manor and neighboring Pearl City.

Charles Graves, who identified his address and longtime residency in Pearl City, urged the council to appoint Marie Hester, describing her as a committed community member who attends meetings and serves as president of a local community organization. Graves also urged the council to consider term limits for board members to promote turnover and new ideas.

Jonathan Anjean raised several concerns: he asked that city events be highlighted outside the downtown core, questioned whether a recently approved downtown 'concierge' project (noted by him as 42 units on 0.61 acres) would comply with state bills he cited as “102” and “328” if it applied under those statutes, and pressed staff to confirm EV parking and whether density limits would apply under the referenced state legislation. His remarks included a request that staff check permitting and parking compliance before future hearings.

John Martin described being "appalled" by recent Planning & Zoning approvals that he said push Dixie Manor closer to Dixie Highway and risk removal of a sound barrier near the Brightline rail corridor, which he said could increase noise and safety concerns for residents. Martin urged council oversight of planning and zoning work in that area and expressed skepticism about the council’s ability to act when federal programs such as HUD limit options.

Other speakers (including Angela McDonald and Mary Czar) also voiced support for Marie Hester and suggested preserving one apartment at Dixie Manor as a museum exhibit as part of centennial programming.

Next steps: the mayor reminded the public that council will make appointments tomorrow at 6 p.m.; council did not take votes during this workshop. Staff and the relevant departments will be expected to follow up on questions about density, EV parking compliance and any planning/zoning implications raised by public commenters.