Council continues two policy resolutions — public‑hearing guidelines and facility‑use policy — to Feb. 9

Council debated two related policy resolutions Jan. 26 and chose to continue both to Feb. 9 to allow additional staff work and member review.

Resolution 1234‑26 combines the city’s public‑hearing procedures (land‑use hearings) with a newly adopted ‘‘alcohol points’’ due‑process section used when the city prosecutes repeated liquor violations. New council member Carver Herbert asked for time to review definitions (de novo vs. non‑de novo review), notice timing, neighborhood meeting rules and standing for appeals; staff and city attorney said many questions stem from code sections pending an administrative ordinance now at second reading in planning and zoning. Council directed staff to meet with the new member and return with clarifications and suggested changes; the council voted to continue the resolution to Feb. 9.

Resolution 1235‑26 establishes a policy for use of the council chambers and other meeting rooms, designating the chamber a limited public forum with permitted users (city commissions, certain nonprofits, HOAs and other entities with a nexus to the city) and making city business a priority in scheduling. Library programs currently operate under a separate library policy; council asked staff and the library director to reconcile conflicting priorities and to add more specific language about priority and cancellations for city business. Council voted to continue Resolution 1235‑26 to Feb. 9 to allow staff, library leadership and council members to fine‑tune the language.

Next steps: staff will meet with Council member Carver Herbert and other council members, incorporate suggested clarifications (including notice timing and standing), and prepare updated drafts for the Feb. 9 meeting.