Planning commission moves to electronic agenda packets; amendment to supply iPads fails

The City of Saginaw Planning Commission voted to move to electronic distribution of meeting packets, eliminating mailed paper packets and relying on emailed agenda packets with printed copies available upon request.

A motion to amend the item to provide iPads for commissioners and to guarantee printed copies for non-city employees was debated and put to roll call; the amendment failed. Commissioners cited mail reliability issues and personal preferences for printed materials, and staff confirmed printed copies would still be available on request or provided at the meeting for those who need them.

Commissioner (speaker 3) framed the change as an effort to modernize: "move into the 21st century," he said while making the motion; the amendment proposing iPads did not pass on the recorded roll-call and the commission then approved the original electronic-transmission motion by voice vote. Staff confirmed that packets will be emailed prior to meetings, that members may request printed copies to pick up at city offices, and that the City Council had gone paperless previously.

The commission recorded votes for the amendment and then for the original motion in the minutes; staff will implement electronic distribution and coordinate procedures for members who need printed materials.