Resident raises ethics concerns, cites social-media comment and past conviction attributed to a commissioner

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, resident and small-business owner Anthony Ator addressed the commission about conduct standards for elected officials, alleging a social-media comment attributed to “city commissioner Bryce Birge” that he said undermined impartiality in matters involving schools. He also said he had independently uncovered an arrest record and related conviction involving the official and asked the commission to ensure transparent review procedures.

Ator called on the commission to reaffirm impartiality and courtesy, to ensure discussions related to school funding and safe-routes projects are fact based, and to provide a timely and transparent review of conduct concerns. "The city charter and code of conduct require officials to act with neutrality," Ator told commissioners, and he urged the commission to follow established procedures through the city manager and city attorney.

Following Ator’s remarks, a commissioner responded that they did not want to participate in a commission decision about the matter and that due process should run through the established channels. The chair reminded members that public comment is not a forum for back-and-forth and moved on to adjourn.

The transcript records the allegation and the request for an impartial review process; it does not show a formal complaint filed or an investigatory action taken at the meeting.