Multiple public commenters used the council’s citizen comment period to raise questions about the city manager contract process and transparency, press the council to adopt a trap-neuter-return (TNBR) approach for the animal shelter and ask the council to restore citizen comments to the start of meetings.

Bill Cleaver criticized the contract process reported in local media and urged the council to rescind or amend what he called an “outrageous contract agreement,” saying several council members told him they were unaware of contract terms before votes were taken. He urged restoration of public trust.

Victoria Romo, representing the Odessa Deserves Better campaign, urged the council to implement TNBR for the city shelter. Romo said her group delivered about 400 petition signatures and more than 650 constituent messages urging action and asked the council to meet with local and national organizations that have implemented TNBR in similar-sized Texas cities.

Dallas Kennedy pressed the council on the order of business, saying the city previously permitted public comment near the start of meetings and that moving public comment to the end made participation harder for residents who cannot stay for the entire meeting. Kennedy also asked a city staffer about parking fee plans discussed earlier; staff said revenue decisions remain under consideration and would likely focus on after-hours use.

Ronnie Lewis criticized the city manager contract and a separate request related to a local nonprofit (TGAA), saying negotiations lacked transparency and alleging conflicts of interest in consulting around the contract; he called for all material to be on the public record and for better disclosure.

Council did not debate or decide on any of the requests made during public comment during that meeting; the council may direct staff to follow up separately.