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Council moves to add 10‑year lifetime term limit for volunteers, exempts Planning Commission
Summary
After public comment urging recruitment and onboarding improvements, council introduced an ordinance adding term limits across several city committees and commissions with a 10‑year lifetime cap (planning commission exempted); first reading passed unanimously.
The City Council on May 20 introduced and conducted first reading of an ordinance establishing term limits for several city commissions and committees while exempting the Planning Commission. The ordinance as moved added codified two‑year appointment terms but limited total service across city commissions and committees to a 10‑year lifetime cap, with council discretion to waive the limit for cause (for example, lack of qualified applicants).
Public commenters and commission members urged the council to pair term limits with an education/onboarding program so new appointees understand commission responsibilities and the governing documents they will implement. Several residents who currently serve on commissions described the value of continuity but supported improved orientation for new commissioners.
Council approved the ordinance with a friendly amendment to explicitly exempt the Planning Commission from the lifetime cap; the motion to introduce the ordinance and to add section language passed 5–0. Staff will return with the ordinance for final adoption at a subsequent meeting.
