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Public commenter raises concerns about public‑records responses and Historic Preservation Board voting rules
Summary
A resident told the governing body that she received incorrect material in response to public‑records requests and questioned the Historic Preservation Board's vote interpretation; the comments asked the city to follow the written language of a resolution for quorum and voting.
A member of the public, Stephanie Benonato, used the petitions portion of the Feb. 12 meeting to report problems she said she encountered when requesting city records and to raise a concern about how the Historic Preservation Board applied voting and quorum rules.
Benonato told the governing body she had requested staff reports and other documents related to Recreation Department matters and maintenance of fitness equipment; she said the records produced did not match the requests and in at least one case she regarded the response as "fraudulent." She asked the city to correct its records handling and public‑records responses.
Benonato also raised a procedural concern about the Historic Preservation Board's handling of an appeal she referenced. She quoted language from a 2019 resolution that she said requires a majority of members present to decide a question when a quorum exists. She told the council that when only two board members voted on a matter despite a quorum being present, that result was inconsistent with the resolution's written voting instruction. Benonato said the correct reading of the resolution requires the majority of members present to decide an item and described the apparent practice as a problem that frustrates the public.
The council did not take action in response to the public comment during the meeting. Staff did say they were continuing work to correct public‑records and constituent‑service processes at the clerk's office and other departments and that procedural questions about boards and commissions can be taken up with the city attorney and staff for clarification.
Ending: The city had no immediate response on the record to Benonato's specific allegations; the comment is expected to prompt follow‑up from the clerk's office and the city attorney's office on public‑records responses and board‑voting procedures.
