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Copperton council advances plan for parks master‑planning committee; staff to bring resolution next meeting
Summary
Council discussed creating a time‑limited parks master‑planning committee to steer a town park master plan, debated committee size and Open and Public Meetings Act implications, and authorized staff to prepare a resolution for the next meeting.
The Copperton Town Council discussed forming a parks master‑planning committee and authorized staff to draft a resolution for consideration at the next meeting. Lydia Benigna, a long‑range planner with the MSD, told the council she and MSD staff had drafted options and recommended a small committee to shepherd a parks master plan and carry out community outreach. “We would like to get this into motion so that ... we can appoint people,” Benigna said, explaining staff proposes a membership of five to seven people with two council members and a cap to keep work manageable.
Council members and staff debated whether the committee should be an official, voting municipal body subject to the Open and Public Meetings Act or a temporary, sunsetting advisory group. Nathan (staff member) urged clarity in charters and code language, noting committee charters should specify membership, term length, removal procedures and whether the body triggers open‑meeting requirements. “If it’s an official body, it’s in your ordinance or it’s in a policy, and they’re doing work on your behalf,” Nathan said, warning that increased formality can create additional cost and resources to comply with meeting laws.
Members queried how many council members should sit on the committee and whether staff should be voting members. Council members favored a small body to avoid quorum burdens in a small town; suggestions ranged from three to five members with one or two council liaisons serving as nonvoting chairs or liaisons. Chair (speaker 2) said staff should draft a resolution and bring it back: staff will prepare a charter that addresses purpose, membership, term limits, and a potential sunset date, and return with a resolution for formal appointment at the next meeting.
The council did not take final action on appointments or charter language during the discussion; the item was a workshop‑style discussion and staff will return with a formal resolution and recommended code or charter language for subsequent approval.
