Hooper council amends planning-commission appointment language, approves two appointees

The Hooper City Council amended city ordinance language on Feb. 6 to say the mayor and city council "shall collectively identify and select potential members subject to a majority vote of the city council," then approved two planning-commission appointees and swore in three members.

Council members debated whether to finalize the appointment process immediately or refine a more detailed procedure later. Mayor Sherry Bingham said the change responds to a state law shifting final approval on many small residential subdivisions to planning commissions, a move she said increases the commission’s responsibilities and the need for a city-elected body to have input on appointments.

"The planning commission has a lot more responsibility than they've ever had before as given to them through the state legislature," Bingham said during council discussion of the ordinance language and related Title 10 changes.

Council member Bryce Wilcox moved the amendment to the existing ordinance (motion text: amend O-2025-01 to read that the mayor and city council shall collectively identify and select potential members subject to a majority vote of the city council). The motion was seconded by Councilmember Fowers. Roll-call votes recorded Fowers — aye; Veil — aye; Mayor Bingham — nay; Northrop — aye; Wilcox — aye; Maragoni — aye. The motion carried.

Council member Debbie Maragoni, who had urged more time to craft a fuller appointment process, argued against rushing the change. "I don't see a reason to have to change it tonight," she said during the meeting’s work-session debate, noting council members will not reappoint planning-commission members for about a year and could use that time to finalize procedures.

After the ordinance amendment passed, the council moved to appoint two planning-commission candidates. Councilmember Northrop made a motion to approve Sheldon Greener and Blake Severing; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council then swore in the two appointees along with a previously appointed deputy city recorder, Jamie Johnston.

The meeting also included a related public hearing and a separate Title 10 code update adopting changes required by the state for final approval of one- and two-family residential subdivisions; that code update was approved later in the meeting (see "Votes at a glance" below).

Why it matters: The ordinance change formalizes joint mayor–council participation in creating the pool of candidates for the planning commission. Council members said they want a clearer process (interview panels, ranking, or other procedures) but chose language that establishes a shared role now and allows the council to draft specific steps over the coming months.

Council members and staff said they will follow up by reviewing examples from other cities (council members cited Far West and Sunset as models that provide a more detailed selection process) and by returning to the ordinance if additional changes are needed.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment to planning-commission appointment language (amendment to ordinance O-2025-01/O-2025-02 as discussed): motion by Councilmember Bryce Wilcox; second by Councilmember Fowers. Roll-call: Fowers — yes; Veil — yes; Mayor Sherry Bingham — no; Northrop — yes; Wilcox — yes; Maragoni — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment: Sheldon Greener and Blake Severing to the Hooper City planning commission: motion by Councilmember Northrop; second by Councilmember Hill. Outcome: approved by voice vote; appointees sworn in.

- Appointment: Jamie Johnston as deputy city recorder: motion by Councilmember Kiel; second by Councilmember Northrop. Outcome: approved by voice vote and sworn in.

What the council discussed but did not finalize

Council members debated more detailed selection mechanics — whether the planning commission should interview candidates, whether the council should form a review panel of two council members plus the mayor, and whether to adopt a step-by-step ordinance similar to Far West's model. Several council members recommended delaying adoption until the group can draft clearer interview and appointment procedures, but the majority voted to amend the ordinance language now and refine process details later.

Meeting context and next steps

Council members repeatedly said the amendment is intended to create an initial framework and that they will return with more specific procedures (panel composition, interview questions, timing) over the next months. Staff were asked to collect sample ordinances and to bring back proposed interview processes for council consideration.

Quotes attributed in this article are from the meeting transcript of the Hooper City Council work session and regular meeting on Feb. 6, 2025.