Council holds public hearing on text amendment to add nonvoting city-council liaison to Historic Commission

Middletown City Council held a public hearing Tuesday on a staff-proposed text amendment to the Middletown Development Code to add one nonvoting city council member as a liaison to the Historic Commission.

Claire Fetters (staff) presented the proposal, which would revise Chapter 12‑26‑01 — review and decision‑making authorities — to add one nonvoting council member designated by majority vote of City Council as an additional member of the Historic Commission. The change would mirror existing practice for other boards and commissions, such as the planning commission, where council liaisons have a seat but do not vote.

No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public‑comment portion of the hearing. During council deliberations, Councilmember Horn said the proposal was initiated at the request of a Historic Commission member who wanted a council liaison; Horn emphasized the liaison role is nonvoting and described it as a way to improve reporting and coordination between commissions and council. The council conducted a straw vote on approval of the amendment; councilmembers participating indicated support in the straw vote.

At the meeting the staff presentation and straw vote advanced the amendment for further action; the transcript records a straw vote in favor but does not record a final ordinance adoption that evening. The item will proceed through the council’s regular legislative process for final readings and any formal vote needed to amend the code.