Council debates reinstatement of Planning Commission member, agrees to wait for police screening

A letter circulated to council members asking for the immediate reinstatement of Planning Commission member Amanda Prince met resistance Thursday as Hooper City Council members said they would follow a police screening and the city's procedures before taking action.

The letter, read at the council work meeting, said the mayor's decision to place Prince on administrative leave was improper and asked council members to sign a document reinstating her. The mayor and multiple council members said a police investigation prompted administrative leave and that the council lacks authority to unilaterally reverse a law-enforcement-directed action while the case is being screened.

City officials said they received a complaint and were directed by the Royce City Police Department to place the planning commissioner on leave while the department screens the case. One council member said that when allegations are under investigation, the city must follow rules and that reinstating someone before screening would be inappropriate. Another council member said the city's standard of "innocent until proven guilty" concerns them and urged caution about acting before the screening finishes.

Council members agreed they would not call an emergency meeting and planned to follow up after the police screening. If charges are filed, the council said it would hold a closed executive session to discuss the matter and then open to a public vote if removal were pursued; a council member said the removal process would include a hearing and a vote.

The meeting record shows no formal vote or reinstatement occurred at the work meeting. Councilmembers asked staff to confirm details with the Royce City Police Department and to report back at a subsequent public meeting. One speaker offered to provide a case number to staff after the meeting.

The dispute also renewed a broader discussion about who controls Planning Commission agendas and whether the commission needs clearer written terms. Council members said planning agendas are set by planning staff and the commission, but acknowledged the commission lacks some formal operating rules and asked city staff to prepare a ballot or terms for the council to adopt at its next regular meeting.

The council scheduled follow-up items: staff will confirm the police screening status, prepare proposed Planning Commission terms for a March meeting, and provide guidance on agenda submission deadlines for council members and commissioners.

No formal disciplinary or reinstatement action was taken at the work meeting; the council recorded the matter as pending law-enforcement screening and potential future discussion.