Remarks by Darrin Palumbo
628 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 26
- Play at 1:21:30
“Yes. Motion passes 7 to 0. Thank you. All right. We're on to now formally item 14A, which was 14B, an ordinance first reading. Joan, can you read that into the record, please? I can. Before you go, I'm sorry. Alan, do we need to re-swear people in on this one or let Joan go first?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:23:39
“I watched the planning board meeting, spoke to some of the planning board members. I spoke to staff, spoke to the applicant, their manager, their attorney, and several neighbors.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:24:37
“And, Alan, if I could just amend, I think I said I met with the owners. I met with the owners' staff is what I meant to say, just to be clear.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:25:37
“Mayor, before you get started, staff, can you tell me how many people have currently signed up to speak on this, just so I can get an idea?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:25:45
“All right. Very good. Thank you, Mary. Please.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:34:43
“Can you just switch the microphone over a little so we can hear you?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:37:33
“Mary, thank you. I suspect we're going to see a lot of light signs, so I'd say wait right there. Councillor Gohler.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:43:20
“All right. Mary, I have no other light signs. I have a few questions, and I do understand what the city attorney is saying. Be open-minded until their attorney gets to make his case. I do like a lot of what Councillor Champagne said, a pathway to success. They are a good family. They're not a large corporation. They're locally owned. They've been a good steward of the community. And I do feel a need to try to help them redevelop in some way. But I do have a couple questions. Now, planning board saw this different. I understand that was a smaller planning board. Alan, do I have the right to…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:44:09
“SO A FEW THINGS. YOU'RE RECOMMENDING AGAINST THIS FROM MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, BUT YOU TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T QUITE IN ALL THIS INFORMATION I WENT THROUGH AND ALL THE CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF, I DIDN'T CATCH ON TO THE SUBDIVIDING AND PATHWAY TO GET THE UNITS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR. CAN YOU TOUCH UPON DID I HEAR THAT CORRECTLY?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:44:31
“And since I haven't come across this bit of information yet, can you give it to me in easy terms?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:46:10
“Did you discuss this with them during all their conversation with you, with all their planning?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:46:28
“So am I hearing you're saying there's a pathway to this number? Should they decide to follow this pathway?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:46:47
“I didn't read it that way when I went through this, and I did not pick up on that, so I appreciate you clarifying it. I have to be honest with you. We're talking about their ask, so that's quite eye-opening. The last question I had was regarding the comp plan. We do have a mechanism to request changes in that, do we not?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:47:06
“Well, there's one of those I know the answer, but I'd like you to put it out there.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 1:47:21
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:22:24
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:26:54
“Very good. Counselor Gray? Counselor Champagne?”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:27:08
“Sure. I'd like to go around for the applicant here, and then we can bring anybody up we need, and we're going to squeeze a public comment in after that, Jesse.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:30:10
“They're going to have a lot of time during public comment, I'm sure.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:34:05
“Understood, and I appreciate that feedback. I pass. Very good. Thank you. We'll come back if you need. Councillor Schwan.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:35:15
“Thank you. Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Henry.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:44:25
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:46:08
“Thank you, Counselor. All right, gosh, I got a bunch of questions, thoughts, and statements, and I'll try to go quickly with them. First of all, I do agree that it's a problem that must be solved. If we don't, the Hilton gets old, it gets outdated, it reduces their rates, it becomes, for lack of a better term, a discount hotel, and nobody wants that. So not helping them solve their problem is not in the best interest of Marco, in my opinion. Responsible redevelopment, good stewardship of the community, private entity working with government, and I like that even though the Hilton is a…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:47:28
“Mary, please, if you had something to add.”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026
- Play at 2:47:46
“very good thank you for the clarity all right uh vice chair champaign uh i listened to your words yes i do understand what staff said i also understand the planning board passes counselor goaler like you that's why i asked am i allowed to take in the opinion of those who weren't there what they would have vote or do i have to go with the facts of what the vote was so here's the hierarchy to me right council is the ultimate decision planning board sits right below us and staff I don't mean it disrespectful. And sometimes that might be backwards, right? Because the staff may know more than the…”
City Council · Sep 22, 2026