Minutes 05-12-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Bonnie Hammersley said she liked this idea and it would not be a burden as she keeps notes throughout the meetings of all these requests. She said she often already has staff working on many of the requests prior to the Chair/Vice Chair agenda review. She said there are sometimes items that require the authority of the Board, and she cannot act without further communication with the Board. She said the outcome of all requests, whether true petitions or just request for information, will always be presented with full responses to the Board. Chair McKee said Bonnie Hammersley often takes the lead on petition responses during the agenda review. Bonnie Hammersley said some petitions are complicated and will take more time but she will make every effort to keep the petitioner updated from here forward. Commissioner Rich said it is important to know that a petition is not lost, but is being worked on, and for the Board to be updated. Chair McKee said Board members do not have to wait until a meeting to make a petition or information request. He said there is always the option of sending an email to the Manager and copying the Board, but not engaging in conversation with the Board members. He suggested adding John Roberts to the Board's single email address, to ensure that the Board is following the open meetings law at all times. Bonnie Hammersley said she is open to receiving phone calls as well. Commissioner Jacobs said he hoped this tweak will cause less work for the Chair. He said the Manager is knowledgeable and competent enough to navigate what she can handle, and what may need to follow a different route. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a way for the Board to act expeditiously on certain petitions that are time sensitive. He said he is in favor of establishing a process. He said he would support authorizing the Chair to act on the Board's behalf in those types of situations. John Roberts said a sentence could be included on all abstracts/agendas that, though decisions are not usually made at work sessions, a decision (s) may be made in special circumstances. Commissioner Dorosin concurs with John Roberts. He said making decisions at public meetings, that have been properly noticed, should be allowed. He said not doing so unnecessarily hamstrings the Board. He said there are times when special circumstances or emergencies arise. He said the high standards of transparency are not compromised by making decisions at work sessions, as they are not secret meetings. Commissioner Dorosin said he would also like for the Board to be able to act by consensus by email as long as the open meetings law is not violated. Commissioner Price agreed with Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Dorosin. She said the Board can vote to suspend any existing rules at any time. Commissioner Dorosin said the Board stands too much on ceremony and process. He said he favors action in a timely fashion. He said there may not always be consensus and that is alright. Chair McKee said there is a place for policies and procedures. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price to adjourn the meeting at 10:56 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Earl McKee, Chair