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Council directs staff to use ranked-choice process for planning commission appointments
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Summary
Council directed staff to proceed with "Option 2," a ranked-choice / preference-based method for selecting seven planning commissioners; Councilmember Simons moved the direction after staff presented four options and described the council-driven appointment approach.
The council provided direction to staff on how to appoint members to a newly reconstituted planning commission.
Community Development Director Rebecca Deming reviewed four options for filling seven seats: (1) each council member recommends a commissioner for a specified seat; (2) a ranked-choice style selection where councilmembers submit preferences and the top candidates are selected; (3) creation of a subcommittee to screen applicants; and (4) individual nominations and full-council vote per seat. Deming said city ordinance requires the council to make appointments rather than mayoral appointment with confirmation.
After discussion about pre-scoring and the logistics of reviewing applications, Councilmember Simons moved and the council—after discussion and clarifying questions—directed staff to proceed with Option 2, the ranked-choice style approach. Councilmembers emphasized the need for the applications to be provided sufficiently in advance so members can prepare individual preference rankings; staff indicated applications would be available well in advance of the selection meeting (application period open through Jan. 31 as stated in the packet).
The direction to staff passed by unanimous council vote and will be the basis for the appointment process when applications are compiled and considered.
