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Council debates standardizing attendance rules for boards and commissions
Summary
Councilors discussed differences in absence rules across planning commission, Park & Rec and EDA and asked staff to review city code, EDA bylaws and state statute before proposing ordinance amendments; no immediate action taken.
Councilors raised concerns about inconsistent absence rules across boards and commissions and whether persistent nonattendance should create vacancies.
Staff read chapter 8 language for planning commission and Park & Rec Board: for planning commission, ‘‘absence from any 3 meetings in a 12 month period unless excused in advance by the chair constitutes a vacancy;’’ Park & Rec language reads no more than three absences of any kind in a 12‑month period. One councilor said the difference is unfair and asked that the rules be made consistent so seats are not occupied by individuals who rarely attend. Another councilor cautioned that the council could not change city code tonight and that an ordinance amendment would be required.
Councilors asked staff to pull state statute language and EDA bylaws for comparison and directed staff to place the item on a future Committee of the Whole agenda for detailed review. Several members emphasized giving fair notice to any commissioner before declaring a vacancy and voiced interest in consistent rules across boards.
Next steps: staff will research city code, EDA bylaws and applicable state statutes and return with proposed language and recommendations for possible ordinance amendments.
