Finance committee recommends advertising Ordinance 1068 to adjust commission memberships; accepts EAC resignation

The Finance Administration Committee on Jan. 13 recommended that Borough Council authorize advertisement of Ordinance 1068, a draft ordinance that would adjust membership for several advisory bodies.

Chair Jim Spear said the proposal reflects current practice by increasing the Planning Commission to seven members after it had been dropped to five in an earlier draft and by formally reducing the Environmental Advisory Council to five members. The ordinance also adds an alternate position for Parks and Recreation. Staff noted alternates for the Planning Commission can be created by resolution under the state enabling law (referred to in the meeting as the MPC), and that council had previously expressed interest in adding alternate positions.

Committee members confirmed the ordinance has not previously been advertised and that minor revisions were made after it was paused for further review. The committee voted 3 to 0 to recommend authorizing advertisement; staff said the Planning Commission will review the full draft in February and, if recommended, the ordinance would proceed to council with required advertisement and public-review steps.

The committee also moved to recommend accepting the resignation of Jesse Lyle from the Environmental Advisory Council. Members thanked Lyle for his service and noted the resignation brings the EAC membership in line with the proposed ordinance; the motion to accept the resignation passed 3 to 0.

Next steps identified by staff include forwarding the draft ordinance to Planning Commission in February, receiving any commission recommendations in March, and then following council procedures for advertisement and public comment before an anticipated April adoption.