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Council declines to confirm Michael Breeden to zoning appeals board after neighborhood dispute is raised
Summary
Council debated the appointment of Michael Breeden to the Board of Zoning Appeals amid disclosure of a neighborhood dispute involving Councilmember Morris; after discussion and a failed motion to table, the resolution to confirm Breeden failed on a roll-call vote.
Council considered Resolution 2026‑R21, which would have confirmed Michael Breeden’s appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals, but the measure failed after debate over a disclosed neighborhood dispute and a contested roll-call vote.
The item drew attention when a council member reminded the body of “an ongoing neighbor spat between Mr. Morris and the candidate whose approval we are considering” and suggested that Mr. Morris consider recusing himself from discussion and voting. Councilmember Miss W. had earlier raised concerns about whether prior minutes correctly recorded votes, arguing that “there are only four affirmative votes and it requires five to pass,” a line of questioning that framed members’ attention on voting accuracy and conflicts of interest.
A motion to table the appointment until the next meeting was moved but failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Bner then moved for passage, seconded by Mrs. Thompson, and the council took a roll-call vote. The motion for confirmation failed and the appointment did not proceed; the council president announced that the motion failed and the resolution did not pass. Miss W. and other members cited the unresolved neighborhood concerns and an administrative review the mover said had raised questions during an executive-session review.
The debate included members noting background checks and court searches performed as part of the vetting process; one council member said he had “looked in the courts to see what their history is” and described finding information that concerned him, which he had raised in executive session. A proposal to table the appointment was presented as an option to gather more detail but did not receive a second and therefore did not advance.
Next steps: Council did not confirm the appointment; the agenda does not record any immediate motion to renominate or continue the matter. Councilmembers indicated the topic could be revisited if additional information is produced or if the applicant or interested parties request reconsideration.
