Commissioners approve filling public land surveyor slot and set Jan. 13 planning hearing

The board recessed for a 10-minute executive session on the performance of a public employee and returned with no decisions rendered. Human Resources Director Jessica Warren then presented a staffing request from Public Works to fill the public land surveyor position at salary grade 560. Warren said there is an internal applicant who qualifies and that the department would leave the applicant’s current position unfilled if the appointment proceeds. The three commissioners indicated approval during the meeting; no formal motion, roll-call vote or written mover/second was recorded in the transcript.

Warren and staff also briefed the commissioners on a planning commission reappointment. Staff recommended reappointing the current planning commission chair, identified in the discussion only as "Mark," noting his long tenure (more than 20 years) and his role in guiding newer members. Commissioners expressed support for continuity on the commission given ongoing work on the comprehensive plan and a critical areas ordinance update.

Separately, staff set a closed-record hearing on Jan. 13 for a short plat submitted by a developer (Chilton). The planning commission had unanimously approved the short plat and staff asked the board to set a time for a closed-record hearing to consider the subdivision (the item adds one lot, similar to a recent approval). Staff characterized it as a standard short-plat hearing and said it will be a closed-record matter.

Next steps: Human Resources will proceed with recruitment or appointment paperwork to fill the surveyor position as approved, and planning staff will place the Jan. 13 closed-record hearing on the commission’s calendar.