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Lead commission tables revision to city code of conduct after procedural challenge
Summary
A Planning/N Z member alleged substantive changes between first and second readings of Ordinance 11‑02‑24; the commission agreed to table the second reading and refer the matter to the city attorney for review of process and state‑law notice requirements.
A contested second reading of Ordinance 11‑02‑24 (amending Title 3, Chapter 33) ended with the Lead City Commission voting July 15 to table the item and ask staff and the city attorney to review whether proper procedure was followed.
PNC member Gordon Phillips told the commission he believed the second‑reading draft materially differed from the first reading and cited state law requiring additional public notice if a second reading substantially alters the original text. Phillips urged an independent investigation, saying the revised document presented to the commission contained changes that had not been approved in public by the governing body.
The commission debated whether the changes were procedural (moving code‑of‑conduct language into city personnel policy) or substantive. After extended discussion about process and transparency — and requests from multiple commissioners for further legal review and input from advisory bodies — a motion was made and seconded to table the ordinance and direct staff to consult with the city attorney before bringing the item back to the commission.
Why it matters: several commissioners and advisory‑board members said the proposed changes would affect multiple boards and commissions. Community members and PNC representatives asked for clarity on notification, the text differences between readings, and whether staff or outside parties had altered a version of the ordinance before a public vote.
What was decided: the commission tabled Ordinance 11‑02‑24 and asked the city attorney to advise on any state‑law notice requirements and the proper process for amending an ordinance between readings. Staff will report back with recommendations.
Next steps: staff will provide the city attorney’s guidance and circulate the version history to commissioners and relevant advisory boards before any subsequent vote.
