Council delays appointments to comprehensive‑plan advisory committee after concerns about selection process and diversity

Planning Director Trish Reynolds told the council the comprehensive plan process requires broad community input and proposed a 26‑person advisory committee to serve as community ambassadors and provide iterative feedback to the consultant.

"The comprehensive plan is built on community input," Reynolds said, describing the advisory committee’s role in outreach and synthesis. She explained that the group is intended to meet multiple times during the plan development and function as ambassadors for public engagement.

Multiple councilors objected to how the list was assembled and urged a more transparent, application‑and‑interview process. Councilor Smythe raised concerns about missing subject‑matter representation and under‑representation in categories such as green and open space. Another councilor noted the lack of people of color on the proposed list and said that omission needs correction so the advisory body does not marginalize key constituencies.

Several members suggested expanding the proposed list rather than starting over, and others recommended leveraging existing boards and commissions to assist outreach while a formal panel is assembled. Trish Reynolds said staff is willing to adopt a council‑directed process and that existing public outreach channels would continue. After discussion, Councilor Smythe moved to continue the appointments to allow a public application and interview process; the motion carried.

Next steps: staff will work with council leadership to design a public application and interview process and will return with a revised roster or a new process for appointing the advisory committee.