CRA chairman wins approval for virtual, nonvoting workshops; June 11 session set pending legal check

The CRA board voted to hold virtual, nonvoting workshops to accelerate collaboration and early-stage idea development; the board approved a pilot session for June 11 at 4 p.m. and asked staff to check legal and noticing requirements.

The change matters because the chairman said virtual workshops would let board members shape proposals earlier and gather feedback before items reach formal agendas, but staff and legal cautioned that workshop procedures and public-record rules must be observed.

Chairman Branch proposed short, frequent virtual meetings with limited staff participation so board members could discuss ideas and provide early direction. “I’d like frequent, virtual non voting workshop meetings with limited staff, just for us to collaborate on ideas faster,” Branch said. Members supported hybrid options for those with limited IT access and suggested evenings or after-work hours for convenience.

City attorneys and staff cautioned that workshops differ from formal meetings and must follow state law and CRA notice rules when appropriate. Legal staff said workshops can be held without formal action if no votes or expenditures occur, but the meetings should be noticed, recorded and made available for public viewing; staff said they would confirm CRA-specific noticing timelines.

Board member Granger moved to schedule a virtual workshop on June 11 at 4 p.m.; the motion passed on a roll call vote with direction that the city attorney verify legal requirements and that staff circulate topics in advance when possible.

Ending: The CRA will hold a pilot virtual workshop on June 11 at 4 p.m.; staff will handle noticing and legal review and will inform the board if any adjustments are needed to comply with CRA notice rules.