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Forest Hills council approves four-month trial letting committee chairs open or close three-member advisory meetings
Summary
After weeks of debate over transparency and safety, the Forest Hills Borough Council voted to approve a four-month probationary committee-meeting policy that lets the chair decide whether a three-member advisory committee meets publicly or privately while requiring notice, signups and limited public-comment procedures.
Forest Hills Borough Council voted to adopt a new committee-meeting policy on a four-month probationary basis, directing staff to publish the policy for public comment and implement notice and conduct parameters for three-member advisory bodies.
The council president called the motion after a lengthy agenda-setting discussion about balancing resident access with member safety and meeting efficiency. Mr. Lawrence, who presented the proposed nine-point policy, said it clarifies that three-member advisory committees "have no authority to bind the borough" and can be held publicly or privately "on a meeting-by-meeting basis" at the chair's discretion.
Supporters said the policy gives needed flexibility for small committees working in cramped spaces, while opponents argued it could limit residents' opportunities to speak. "Governance is a public sport," Miss Lewis said, arguing the policy did not go far enough to preserve meaningful resident engagement. Mr. Cross and others emphasized recent safety concerns for council members meeting in small conference rooms.
Council members agreed on a compromise: approve the policy for a four-month trial, direct staff to post the policy and create a web form for resident feedback, and return for review in October. The council asked the borough manager to ensure the nine parameters'including four-business-day public notice, a 24-hour speaker signup, five-minute public-comment limits, and recording rules'are implemented and that the policy language be tweaked to allow limited discussion when the chair deems it appropriate.
The council approved the measure by roll call and instructed staff to bring minor technical amendments to the public-comment language to the business meeting for final approval. The president said the trial and public comment period will inform any permanent changes.
What happens next: The policy will be posted on the borough website and open for resident comment during the four-month probationary period. Council will review feedback and vote on a final policy at a later meeting.
