Planning commission directs staff to research end-of-meeting public forum and thanks outgoing assistant city attorney

Commissioners discussed adding an open public forum at the end of future planning commission agendas similar to city council practice. Proponents said an end-of-meeting forum would give residents a chance to speak after formal agenda items; others urged clear limits to avoid procedural confusion.

Several commissioners supported the idea, and one suggested a five-minute per-speaker limit mirroring city council rules. City staff said recent legislation addresses how public bodies handle forums and advised consulting the legal department to determine which commissions are bound by that legislation and what rules must be followed. The chair directed staff to add the public-forum item to the January agenda and to brief the commission on any legal requirements and recommended procedures before the first forum is held.

Separately, commissioners and staff thanked Assistant City Attorney Corbin Dickerson, who announced he has accepted another position. Commissioners praised his work and invited him to offer any final legal guidance before his departure.

No formal vote was required to direct staff to research the forum; the chair used his authority to add the item to a future agenda.