Broken Bow council adopts ordinance reducing Planning Commission from nine to seven members

Broken Bow Mayor Rod Sonnichsen and the three-member City Council voted Tuesday to adopt Ordinance No. 1270, reducing the city Planning Commission from nine members to seven. Councilmembers David Baltz, Paul Holland and Russ Smith voted in favor; there were no dissenting votes.

The change was presented during a public hearing opened at 6:02 p.m. Mayor Sonnichsen told the council the reduction was intended to help the Planning Commission meet quorum requirements. After a brief hearing that included no public opposition, the council closed the hearing at 6:04 p.m.

Under council procedure, Councilmember Paul Holland moved to suspend the statutory rule requiring three different readings of an ordinance; Councilmember Russ Smith seconded. The council then voted to suspend the rules and proceeded to final consideration. Councilmember David Baltz moved for final passage, Councilmember Holland seconded, and the roll-call vote recorded ayes from Baltz, Holland and Smith. When asked, the Mayor stated, "Shall Ordinance No. 1270 be passed and adopted?" and, upon the affirmative roll call, declared the ordinance adopted.

The ordinance text cited amendment of Section 2-202 to change the number of Planning Commission members from nine to seven. The minutes record adoption by a majority of council members; the ordinance language in the minutes provides for an effective date but the minutes do not specify the exact effective date.

The council took the action as part of its regular meeting agenda; no formal amendments to the ordinance were recorded in the minutes. The council adjourned at 6:10 p.m.