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Residents say recent committee appointments lacked notice; callers urge more transparent process
Summary
Multiple residents used the citizens’ forum to criticize a recent midterm reappointment of committee members and to urge the council to restore transparency and respect for staff. Speakers alleged inadequate notice for LTAC and committee changes and called for clearer agenda procedures and apologies where appropriate.
Several residents at Tuesday’s Battle Ground council meeting criticized the council’s handling of committee appointments at a prior meeting and urged clearer public notice and respect for staff.
Public commenters repeatedly raised the same process concern: that the council had changed committee membership midterm without public notice. Reverend Kate Lohr said she was "here tonight to raise a concern about the lack of due process and transparency that occurred at the last council meeting" and that the reappointment of the legislative committee appeared premature and deprived the public of adequate notice. Multiple speakers echoed that there was no prior agenda item or meaningful public notice for the change and warned the action created the appearance of decisions coordinated outside public view.
Jessica Cole urged the council to treat staff with "professionalism and respect," saying staff are responsible for implementing council decisions and should not be publicly undermined or surprised by last‑minute challenges. Several speakers also asked the council to post committee openings publicly and allow an application window before appointing new members.
Council members and staff responded that the procedures will be reviewed and that the administration will post openings for the lodging tax advisory committee (LTAC) and set an application deadline ahead of the March 2 meeting. Deputy Mayor Vail said the intent of a prior motion was to allow time for research and to provide opportunity for businesses and residents to apply, and staff agreed to develop an application period and return candidates for review.
No formal legal finding was made at the meeting about compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act; speakers urged the council to recommit to transparent agenda practices and to correct any process lapses.
What happens next: Staff will prepare an application process and public posting for LTAC and other committee openings. Council requested more deliberate agenda setting and public notice on significant committee decisions.
