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Coos Bay councils back 10-member fact-finding panel to study bike and pedestrian projects
Summary
The Parks Commission recommended and the joint session signaled support to create a 10-member fact-finding committee to gather information on bicycle and pedestrian facilities, aiming to reduce staff burden while preserving public input; council will oversee appointments and a formal recommendation will return to council.
Coos Bay councilors and Parks Commissioners signaled support for forming a 10-member fact-finding committee to study bicycle and pedestrian facilities and return findings to the Parks Commission for consideration.
City staff told the joint meeting that the panel would be comprised of two Parks Commissioners and eight community members, would collect information rather than make formal recommendations, and would not be subject to public-meeting rules designed for advisory bodies. "The fact finding committee would meet to discuss bicycle and pedestrian facilities, not be subject to public meeting laws, and present their findings, not recommendations, to the Parks Commission," a staff member said during the presentation.
Supporters said the panel would relieve staff time and allow technical and community input. "It really is just gonna help our meeting move a lot more efficiently ... and for us to be able to make recommendations to the city council," Councilor Carmen Matthews said, expressing support for the idea. Commissioner Coco Sutton said the subcommittee could gather specialized information — on grant readiness, environmental permits and maintenance costs — that the Parks Commission lacks the time or technical expertise to assemble.
Several commissioners and councilors also emphasized transparency and urged the committee to engage the public even if it is not formally governed by public-meeting statutes. One commissioner recommended including members with differing viewpoints to function as a "devil's advocate" during fact-finding.
The Parks Commission asked staff to create an application and appointment process; the commission will recommend community members to council, and the council will make final appointments under council rules. No formal vote was recorded at the work session; the group left the item with broad agreement to proceed and with a plan for staff to return with the appointment process for council confirmation.
Next steps include staff advertising the committee openings, drafting application materials, and returning candidates to the Parks Commission and then to the council for confirmation.
