Residents raise potholes, apartment conditions and child-custody concerns during public comments; Frito-Lay workplace exposure also recounted

Several residents addressed the council during public comment on matters ranging from potholes to housing conditions and child-custody concerns.

George Poindexter, a resident of 3038 LaSalle, thanked council members for recent cleanup work and asked for continued attention to a street with deep potholes that prevent safe passage, particularly for seniors. Poindexter said tires had been removed and asked the city to "make it visible, where we can travel up and down the roads."

Shante Wallace raised an unresolved child-custody and Department of Human Services matter involving her son, saying he remains in DHS custody and she has been unable to locate him; she told the council she had reached out to DHS leadership and other officials and that the case feels "in limbo." Wallace expressed frustration about a lack of response from city council members and county supervisors and said she would return to future meetings to speak further.

CC (Cece) Smith, a Park Wind Apartments resident in Ward 4, presented evidence of building code violations, including a split concrete stairway she said caused two falls and that she had provided a physician's letter explaining mobility limitations. She requested inspection and enforcement action and presented the council with contact information for follow-up.

Reggie Ruffin recounted a long-running concern about worker exposure to hazardous chemicals at the former Frito-Lay plant and urged renewed attention and media engagement to pursue accountability for illnesses tied to workplace exposures dating to the 1970s.

Council members thanked speakers and asked staff to follow up with constituent contacts for inspection or investigation where appropriate. These public comments were not the subject of council votes but generated requests for staff follow-up.