Tampa City Council discussed public concerns about Planning Commission appointments and the commission’s recent decisions, and directed staff to improve transparency about board and commission vacancies.

Councilmembers said members of the public had expressed frustration about Planning Commission actions and asked how appointment and removal processes work. Martin Shelby, city council attorney, summarized applicable state law and the procedural requirements: suspension or removal of appointed local board members is governed by Florida Statutes §112.501 when the enabling legislation is silent on removal; removal for cause (including malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence or permanent inability to perform duties) requires written notice of allegations, a resolution and a hearing to ensure due process.

Councilwoman Hertek moved, and Councilman Carlson seconded, a direction to the city clerk and administration to make current and upcoming board vacancies clearly visible both on the city’s website and on council agendas; council approved the motion. Clerk staff indicated the board and commissions web pages list current vacancies and that a full agenda notice process is in progress; staff said they expect updated agendas to show vacancies by August.

Council also asked for a status update on a previously requested follow‑up about the Bridal Reconciliation Committee (an unrelated item) and directed staff to ask the outside facilitators for a written schedule and plan for additional meetings; council set a deadline of Aug. 7 for that written response. The city council attorney said any suspension or removal of appointed commission members must follow the cause‑and‑due‑process steps mentioned and cannot be done for political reasons alone.