Commissioner proposes rule to let single commissioners request workshop items; staff to draft resolution

At the same City of Parkland workshop on Feb. 18, a commissioner proposed amending procedures so an individual commissioner could request that an item be placed on a workshop agenda for discussion without first bringing it to a regularly noticed commission meeting.

The commissioner argued the change would provide a middle ground between informal staff requests and the formal motion process used at regular meetings, allowing commissioners to discuss issues in a workshop setting before directing staff to prepare ordinances or resolutions. "My motion would be that any individual commissioner can add an item for discussion at a future workshop," the commissioner said.

Other commissioners and staff debated the existing practice and interpretation of section 3(b) (the rule allowing two commissioners to direct the city manager to place items on a future agenda). Staff and several commissioners said the current language references agendas at duly noticed meetings but does not explicitly include workshops; the proposal would codify workshop inclusion.

The discussion grew heated at times as one commissioner raised concerns about past handling of items and perceived blocking of subjects. Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized that formal changes require a written resolution: staff said they would prepare a resolution updating the relevant rule for a future commission meeting so the body could vote on any amendment.

Outcome and next steps: staff will draft a resolution reflecting the proposed change (adding workshops to the practice described in section 3(b)) and place it on a future commission meeting agenda for formal action. No formal vote was taken on the proposal during the workshop.

The workshop adjourned after staff confirmed the plan to draft the resolution.