The Rules Subcommittee voted to approve the following (see the report and watch the meeting video (downloadable MP4 video):
- Changing the start time for City Council meetings when there is an address from the Mayor (4-0) The proposal was to move the start time to 7:00 PM for meetings featuring presentations from the Mayor or City Administration Staff. The 7:45 pm start time limits the ability of the Council to debate items after a presentation. The Subcommittee members revised this to allow adjustments at the president’s discretion, due to previous mayors calling meetings without docketing items. The Committee replaced “City Staff” with “Administration Staff” and the revised language was unanimously approved.
The Rules Subcommittee voted to reject the following:
- Reviewing referral of a rezone petition when it accompanies a special permit: The proposal aimed to separate the referral processes for rezoning petitions in special permit applications by sending them to both the Zoning & Planning Committee and the Land Use Committee. Concerns were raised about increased administrative costs, difficulties for the public in tracking two separate processes, and potential complications if a project changes significantly during the process. The Subcommittee unanimously voted against changing the current referral process, preferring to keep both items within the Land Use Committee and maintain current practices of inviting the Zoning & Planning Committee as best practice without formal rule changes.
Development of policy to honor long-serving Councilors: for departing or deceased Councilors within the Council Rules. The consensus was that such honors should not be codified in the Council Rules but could be managed through a separate policy. Members supported creating a policy to provide discretionary honors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining flexibility in deciding whom to honor.
Present: Councilors Oliver (Chair), Krintzman, Humphrey, and Baker
Also Present: Councilors Lucas, Malakie, and Block
City Staff: Jaclyn Norton, Committee Clerk