Commission debates rules-of-procedure changes and continues resolution to March 16

The Treasure Island City Commission extensively reviewed proposed amendments to its rules of procedure (Resolution H-3) at the March 3 meeting and agreed to continue the resolution to the March 16 meeting after several changes were proposed.

Concerns focused on Section 14, which would limit commissioners from directing the city attorney to undertake legal research or draft opinions without majority authorization. Several commissioners said routine, informal questions to the city attorney have been useful in vetting issues before they reach the dais. One commissioner said the provision "doesn't sit well" because it could impede daily work. The city attorney responded that staff can set appropriate limits and offered to remove or reword the section.

Another contested change was in public-comment language. The draft removed the phrase "on each agenda item," which several commissioners said could be read to limit speakers to one comment per meeting rather than one comment per agenda item. The commission agreed to restore the prior wording to allow one comment per agenda item.

Commissioners also debated how many agenda items a single commissioner can propose for a meeting. After discussion, the group agreed to allow up to two commissioner-proposed items per meeting to avoid overloaded agendas while preserving flexibility.

A motion was made to continue the resolution so staff and counsel could prepare a revised draft reflecting these changes; the commission voted to continue the item to the March 16 meeting.

Next steps: the attorney will prepare a revised draft removing or clarifying Section 14, restoring public-comment language to allow one comment per agenda item, and noting the two-item limit for commissioner proposals; the item will return to the commission on March 16 for final consideration.