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Committee discusses updated attendance and remote-participation rules; item requires second reading
Summary
Members reviewed recently proposed committee rules that limit remote participation and impose removal after consecutive absences. The proposal had its first reading; committee members said a second reading is required and staff will provide the rule text and calendar changes.
Committee members reviewed proposed changes to committee rules that were under consideration by the Town Council and discussed how those changes would affect attendance, remote participation and commissions' membership.
The changes under discussion would restrict remote participation (the committee discussed a limit of two remote calls per year) and clarify removal for members with three consecutive unexcused absences. Staff and committee members said the proposed rules had completed a first reading at Council and that a second reading was required; they also noted the rules include provisions for recording reasons such as illness or other valid excuses.
Committee members sought clarification on how absences and excused absences are counted and asked staff to provide the official template and the finalized rule language. Several members said they saw the value of better attendance tracking but expressed concern about how the rule would operate when members have legitimate scheduling conflicts. Staff said a template and attendance-tracking form exist and will be shared to reduce administrative burden.
The committee took no final vote on the rule changes itself; members asked staff to circulate the draft and to report back after the Council's second reading so the committee can adopt any required administrative steps to comply with new rules.
