Development Authority adopts agenda policy requiring member submissions by Monday 3 p.m., adds public-comment slot

The Forest Park Development Authority on Feb. 25 adopted an agenda policy intended to streamline how board items are proposed and to ensure agendas are posted with adequate public notice.

Under the policy adopted by the board, any board member who wishes to place an item on an upcoming meeting agenda must deliver the request and at least one copy of supporting materials to the secretary of the authority no later than 3 p.m. the Monday before the meeting. Once posted, the agenda can be amended only by a majority vote of a quorum at a duly called meeting.

Board members also successfully moved to add a standing agenda item for public comments; the amended policy was approved by voice vote. During discussion, the authority's attorney noted the legal background: "Georgia law under the open meeting act requires that the board makes available to the public an agenda of what's going to be on their meeting," and the policy aims to provide at least 24 hours' notice by posting the agenda on the city website.

Board members asked whether information-only items must appear on the agenda; the attorney clarified that only items the board will discuss or vote on must be on the agenda, while materials intended for information can be distributed by staff off the agenda. The board approved the policy as amended; staff will finalize date tweaks and post the schedule on the city website.

What happens next: staff will circulate the finalized schedule and begin enforcing the 3 p.m. Monday submission deadline; the board will follow the amended policy going forward.