Margaret Brown, a resident of 4 East Magnetic Street, used the public-comment period on Nov. 24 to urge the city to improve the design of cigarette recycling tubes installed around downtown. Brown said several tubes have open tops that allow water and snow in, leaving soggy cigarette butts that are not suitable for recycling.

She recommended a simple technical fix — a small plastic cap or lift-top — so users can insert cigarette butts while keeping precipitation out. Brown said she collects butts at a Board of Light and Power location that has covered garbage cans, keeping contents dry and easier to recycle, and offered to provide photos and location details to staff. She also congratulated the Downtown Development Authority and Spirit Watershed Partnership for expanding collection points.

Brown said the program has diverted a substantial number of cigarette butts from streets and the lake; she offered to work with staff and the DDA to resolve the issue.