Planning commissioners debate absenteeism rule; consider recommending ordinance to city council

The St. Helens Planning Commission discussed changing its attendance policy, with several commissioners saying three unexcused absences should trigger removal or review and that absences need not be consecutive.

Brady Preheim, a member of the public who addressed topics from the floor, said, “If you miss 3 meetings, you should be removed.” Commissioners debated whether an absence policy should require consecutive missed meetings and whether the commission needed an internal mechanism to remove a commissioner for misconduct or nonperformance.

Commissioners compared the city’s options with Portland’s approach and discussed establishing definitions for an “excused” absence (for example, requiring 48 hours’ notice when possible). They noted the commission lacks an internal removal mechanism and would need to ask the City Council to adopt an ordinance to create removal procedures or clearer rules.

The commission agreed it could draft an ordinance under the city’s municipal code chapters already in use (chapter 2 and chapter 17 were mentioned as the procedural route) and that one commissioner would produce a draft to circulate BCC (blind carbon copy) to avoid violating public meeting restrictions. Commissioners emphasized the need to balance volunteer members’ circumstances with ensuring quorum and consistent participation.

Why it matters: Clear attendance rules affect the commission’s ability to reach quorums and make decisions on time‑sensitive land‑use matters, including the waterfront project discussed at the meeting.

The commission directed a volunteer to draft proposed language for an ordinance recommending changes to the City Council; commissioners said they will refine wording at public meetings rather than by email discussion that could create a public‑meeting violation.