Residents urge clearer notice channels and more accountability for city manager role

Two members of the public addressed the commission in the final public-comment period about notice access and the role of the city manager.

Evan Lockwood (Ward 5) urged the commission to be more specific about where council agendas are posted and to include the city’s Instagram and Facebook pages so that younger and social-media‑engaged residents see timely notices about issues such as wastewater. He said the city’s downtown is younger and more digitally connected, and that social platforms reach residents who otherwise didn’t see meeting notices: "...social media is a huge part of that."

Catherine Crowley (Ward 4) told commissioners she did not support a part‑time mayor paired with a powerful, unaccountable full‑time city manager and urged more resident accountability for executive appointments. She said she wanted mechanisms that give residents more say when executive power appears unaccountable.

Both commenters asked the commission to weigh digital access and accountability when drafting final charter language; commissioners responded by directing staff to include social‑media language and to compile statutory citations and appointment lists for the next packet.