During the public-comment period at the Feb. 19 Madera City Council meeting, three residents raised separate issues for council consideration: a local author promoted a four-volume oral-history series; a resident urged the council to draft a resolution opposing a proposed mileage road tax; and a private citizen asked the council to consider steps to support immigrants and young people in Madera.

Larry Lahossett, who identified himself as a local resident and author, told the council he has published a four-volume set titled Neighbors Bridal History from Madera and described his oral-history interviews. “I highly recommend the books. Again, they're available at Amazon.com,” Lahossett said.

John Stalker asked the council to “consider, draft, adopt, and publish a resolution opposing the mileage road tax.” Stalker said, based on his research, the tax would be implemented through vehicle registration and could impose “an additional charge on your registration of $700 to $1,000 dollars per year for your car,” and that such a cost “would present an undue economic and financial hardship” for many Madera families. He offered to meet with council members to review his research.

Monica Felix spoke as a private citizen and asked the council to “help consider supporting these young people and keeping them safe,” citing her work with Madera youth. Felix stated that immigrants have contributed large sums in taxes to the state and said immigrants “have paid $500,000,000,000 in state and local taxes,” and that they comprise roughly 80% of the city’s population under her characterization; these figures were presented by Felix as part of her appeal to the council to protect immigrant residents.

Council members did not take action on any of the public requests during the meeting. The council noted that items raised may be placed on a future agenda for formal consideration; in one instance, Felix was told the welcoming-city topic was not on that night’s agenda and encouraged to return when it is scheduled. Stalker’s request for a formal resolution opposing the mileage road tax was recorded as a public suggestion with no council motion or referral made at that time.