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Council weighs and amends rules for advisory boards; tree board ordinance tabled, traffic and safety changes advance
Summary
Council discussed multiple ordinance amendments to change how advisory board members are appointed. The tree board item was tabled for more work; the traffic and safety commission ordinance passed with a change to add the ADA committee chair as a member and to allow councilmembers to appoint ward representatives.
The Midwest City Council considered ordinances to amend city code governing how members are chosen for advisory boards and commissions on April 20.
Council discussed an ordinance to amend Chapter 43 to change the tree board nomination process so each council member would nominate a representative from their ward; if a councilmember does not nominate within a set period the mayor would make the appointment. The ordinance also proposed requiring minutes for each tree board meeting and adding a city liaison to ensure minutes are taken. After detailed questions about term lengths, removal language and enumerated powers for the tree board, a majority of council members asked for more time and moved to take no action on the tree board amendment; the item will return for further revision.
Separately, the council approved amendments to Chapter 2 that change appointment procedures for the Traffic and Safety Commission so that each councilmember appoints a ward representative and the mayor appoints an at‑large member. Council added an amendment during the meeting: the mayor’s appointment will include the chair of the city’s ADA committee as the mayor’s representative on the Traffic and Safety Commission. The ordinance sets three‑year terms, requires a city liaison and includes a sunset review date for the commission.
Council members discussed practical details: whether newly elected councilmembers should have 90 days (rather than 60) to make initial appointments, whether the mayor should attempt to appoint a ward representative if a councilmember does not, and whether powers and duties should be further enumerated. Staff agreed to return revised language addressing the concerns for the tree board item.
The traffic and safety ordinance passed after a motion and voice vote; the tree board amendment was tabled for additional drafting.
