Parks and Greenways advisory committee approves procedural updates and names vice chair

The Parks and Greenways Advisory Committee voted to recommend several changes to its rules of procedure and elected a vice chair at its meeting.

Committee members approved a motion to recommend edits to the rules of procedure that update membership and residency language. The proposed changes include increasing the committee size from seven to nine members, raising the number of members who must reside in Woodfin (or work in/own a business in Woodfin) from four to five, updating references from "board of commissioners" to "town council," and removing a prior requirement for alternate members. Committee member Coral Darby moved the recommendation; another member seconded the motion and the chair called for a voice vote. "All in favor? Aye," the transcript records, and the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee also appointed Eric Barsotti as vice chair. A motion was made to appoint Barsotti, was seconded and carried by voice vote. Committee leadership said the vice chair will run meetings when the chair is unavailable.

The committee discussed renaming itself to reflect a broader scope (suggestions included variations on "enrichment," "public improvement" and "community engagement") and agreed to solicit name suggestions by email to the chair, then compile and vote on options at the next meeting. Staff reminded members that public bodies should avoid deliberating by email and suggested members reply only to the chair so the discussion remains one-way outside meetings.

The transcript records the motions and unanimous voice votes for the rules recommendation and the vice chair appointment; the meeting also recorded routine approvals of the meeting agenda and minutes by voice vote at the start of the session.