Wasilla Planning Commission schedules Jan. 29 training with city attorney; clerk to provide Robert’s Rules later

The Wasilla Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 14 to schedule a training session with City Attorney Holly Wells on Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. and asked City Planner Wellman to coordinate a separate Robert’s Rules of Order session with the City Clerk in February.

Commissioner Simon Brown moved the scheduling motion, saying: “I move that, the Planning Commission will plan a training with the City Attorney on the 29th January at 5 PM to do general commission of training and that the City planner will get with the city clerk to plan Robert Ruhle's, parliamentary procedures sometime in February in accordance with the city clerk's schedule.” Commissioner Langille seconded the motion. The roll-call vote recorded Commissioner Brown, Chair Seals, Commissioner Langille and Commissioner Stafford voting yes; the motion passed unanimously.

City Attorney Holly Wells told the commission the session is intended to cover the commission’s two roles — its quasi‑judicial duties and its advisory/legislative duties — and recommended a four‑hour, interactive format covering drafting findings, ex parte communications and the planner’s role in quasi‑judicial proceedings. Wells said the four‑hour block is preferred but can be split into smaller sessions if needed.

Planner Wellman told the commission she will contact the city clerk about providing a separate, focused Robert’s Rules of Order session, noting the clerk already offers that training and could serve as the city’s parliamentarian for that topic. Commissioners discussed times and settled on Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. for the attorney-led training and asked Wellman to coordinate the clerk-led session for February.

Commissioners and staff discussed format and length. Wells said a four‑hour interactive session is best but offered to break the material into a two‑hour session plus follow‑ups if commission members prefer. Commissioner Brown suggested the general training on Jan. 29 with the clerk’s parliamentary session to follow.

The training motion and vote were recorded in the meeting minutes; no other formal direction or policy change was made at the meeting.

What’s next: The training is scheduled for Jan. 29; the clerk-led Robert’s Rules session will be scheduled for February depending on the clerk’s availability and the commission’s calendar.