Council reshuffles Planning Commission seats, debates alternate rules

Mayor Richard L. Sorensen led discussion on filling two expiring Planning Commission seats. Council members noted the ordinance did not explicitly say whether an alternate should automatically succeed to a regular seat.

Clerk Beckki Endicott displayed the ordinance and explained: "It did not specify whether an alternate was automatically moved to the regular commission. It did not say that a person needed to apply for the position." That prompted debate about whether the town should require applicants or simply promote alternates.

After discussion the Council voted to move John Henderson from alternate to regular member and to make Brent Ahlstrom an alternate temporarily until January; the minutes show the motion passed (recorded as 4-1 in the minutes) and later include a motion to appoint Brent Ahlstrom as an alternate (also recorded as 4-1). The council also motioned to appoint Will Vander Toolen as an alternate in January when Brent Ahlstrom moves to a regular slot.

Councilmembers asked staff to consider clarifying ordinance language on alternates so succession rules are explicit. Clerk Endicott warned that prior ordinance revisions took significant time and asked the council to be mindful of the administrative workload.

The council did not change the ordinance at the meeting; it approved appointments consistent with the existing rules and directed staff to return with recommendations on clarifying the alternate process.