Council unanimously advances ordinance to create General Plan resident advisory committee

Council member Orlando moved and Council member Poston seconded the introduction and tentative adoption of Ordinance 51-18 to establish a General Plan resident advisory committee; the measure passed unanimously. The motion, introduced during a special council meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, carried with all members voting yes.

The committee is intended to serve as a resident advisory group for matters related to the city’s General Plan. Council member Orlando said, “I move that we approve introduction and tentative adoption of ordinance 51 18, establishing a general plan resident advisory committee.” Council member Poston seconded the motion. Mayor Kevin Hartke, Vice Mayor Christine Ellis, Council members Encinas, Poston, Orlando, Harris and Hawkins voted yes.

Officials said the move is procedural and will allow the council to appoint and tentatively ratify committee membership at a later meeting. The council indicated the ordinance is part of an effort to engage residents in plan implementation and scheduling: if approved formally at the next meeting, the committee would be seated according to the ordinance’s terms.

No substantive amendments were recorded during the motion and vote in the special meeting’s record. The council did not record further debate in the portion of the transcript provided; the tentative adoption was carried unanimously and will return for final action and appointment votes at a subsequent public meeting.

The council convened the special meeting solely to consider this item and ratify committee names in a follow-up session, according to remarks at the start of the meeting.