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Commissioner urges caution on phones, highlights traffic-safety committee recruiting
Summary
A commissioner reminded colleagues that phone use at meetings can create FOIA exposure under the Open Meetings Act and said she will distribute a written opinion; commissioners also noted the traffic-safety committee is recruiting members and exploring partnerships with public-safety agencies.
At the start of a separate item at the June work session, a commissioner warned colleagues to be careful about using phones during meetings because open meetings rules and Freedom of Information Act requests can result in the production of phone records and messages.
"You just get faced with a lot of difficult and sometimes uncomfortable things when you have to turn over your phones to the public," the commissioner said, explaining she will circulate a written opinion for commissioners to review.
Separately, a commissioner reported that the traffic-safety committee is seeking new members and exploring a possible refocus toward public-safety work in coordination with the sheriff's office and fire department. The speaker said she will email commissioners examples from other communities that have successfully retooled similar committees.
The commission also heard a brief mention that the sheriff's office has issued a media notice about vehicle break-ins; the information was presented as local context for the traffic-safety discussion. The work session did not produce formal action on either the phones guidance or the committee change; staff will distribute the opinion on phone use and circulate further information on committee recruitment.
