Agency members propose expanding board membership and adding city representation; staff to research peers and ordinance changes

Agency members discussed whether to expand the Land Use and Preservation Agency's membership to include an elected official or city administration representative to improve coordination with City Council and city staff.

Board members said peer agencies had mayoral and city management representation, and that adding an ex officio council member or city-manager seat could reduce coordination gaps. One board member noted that changing membership requirements would likely require amending the agency's ordinance because current bylaws set requirements for who may serve and residency requirements; staff said they would circulate the relevant bylaws excerpt and could draft proposal options for a possible expansion.

The discussion named Charleston as an example of a peer agency that places the mayor and city manager on its board; members suggested staff review Charleston and other active land reuse agencies to identify promising governance models. No ordinance language change was proposed or adopted at the meeting; staff committed to preparing a comparison and potential options for the board to review at a later meeting.