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Willow Park council standardizes commission rules, removes alternates for boards
Summary
Council approved an ordinance to amend Chapter 14 (zoning) to eliminate alternate seats on boards and commissions, aligning commission rules with council practice and adding procedures for special meetings when a quorum cannot be met.
The Willow Park City Council voted Jan. 13 to amend the city’s zoning code to clarify appointments, duties and procedures for boards and commissions and to remove alternate positions on advisory boards, including the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Mayor Pro Tim Nathan and staff said the change was intended to create a uniform process across boards: without alternates, staff and boards would call special meetings when needed rather than seating ad hoc alternates. Council members who opposed the change said removing alternates reduces bench strength and questioned the timing, noting the change followed recent home-rule commission activity and some appointments made without complete applications on file.
Staff told council that in at least one instance the city packet had included a name (Katherine Davis) because staff had only one completed application on file; the mayor later substituted two alternates, which prompted public questions about application completeness and process. Staff indicated it is developing clearer application and appointment procedures.
Council approved the ordinance after discussion and a motion to adopt the amendment to Chapter 14 was seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was provided in the meeting record.
