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Commissioners discuss moving 'call to public' to start of meetings; staff to add item to study session
Summary
Commissioner Best proposed moving the meeting 'call to the public' to the beginning of Planning and Zoning meetings. Chair Burton and staff said the chair can direct staff to change the agenda order and will add the topic to the next study session for further discussion.
Commissioner Best proposed that the Planning and Zoning Commission move its “call to the public” for items not on the agenda from the end of meetings to the start, saying it would allow speakers to address the commission earlier and ensure more members of the public are heard.
Best said placing the call to the public at the start of meetings would let people make a three‑minute statement at a known time rather than waiting through the agenda. Chair Burton and other commissioners expressed support for further discussion. Staff advised that the chair can direct staff to change the order of future agendas and that the commission could add the matter to a study session for a fuller discussion of options.
In the hearing record Commissioner Best framed the proposal as a way to “make sure everyone who comes before us feels that they were listened to,” and Vice Chair Wilson said his prior experience showed value in offering public comment at both the beginning and end of meetings. Community Development staff (Jess McNeely) said staff will check the bylaws and work with county IT and meeting staff as needed, and that the item would be added to the next study session for further consideration.
No formal action or vote was taken on a change to the agenda order during the Jan. 8 meeting; the transcript records a direction to add the issue to a future study session so the commission can discuss it in more detail.
