Council moves to fill planning commission vacancies after several resignations

Council members announced multiple departures from the planning commission and moved to restore the panel’s ability to meet.

A council speaker stated that “Jay Shaw and Brian McFarland both resigned,” and that “Bruce Wallace … sent his letter of resignation,” while the transcript records that Cody Longbottom’s contract was terminated while on administrative leave. The departures left the planning commission short of members, council members said, preventing it from meeting on Monday night.

The clerk reported that only two people had expressed interest in the open seat(s): Mike Holtkamp and Michael Kemp (the transcript uses alternate spellings later; see clarifying details). The clerk proposed appointing Michael Kemp to the commission, saying the appointment “would give us a quorum and give us the authority to hold these” meetings to consider zoning and other time-sensitive matters.

Council members discussed how the planning commission fits into the land-use process. One council member said the commission “makes recommendations that they either send to tax map, and then it comes to council, or they make decisions that come to council,” and emphasized that a council override of a written recommendation would require a substantial majority — discussed in the meeting as 5 of 6 votes.

To enable the appointment, a council member moved that the council give Mayor Ogden the authority to appoint the nominee. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; members identified in the roll call as Anna, Eric, Carl and John voted in favor.

The council also noted additional vacancies for a data center committee seat and another planning commission position and said the openings had been posted. Council members indicated they would continue recruiting to restore full membership so the planning commission can resume its role in zoning and recommendations to council.

The council did not discuss nor adopt any ordinance or code change in this meeting; the actions taken were appointment-related and procedural. The mayor’s eventual appointment and any subsequent recommendation from the planning commission would be sent to council for further action.