Minutes 02-16-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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21 Commissioner Rich asked Commissioner Jacobs if there is a layout or plan that he had in mind. Commissioner Jacobs said the only item that is a bit difficult to sort is the consent agenda, as it is a hodge podge. Chair Dorosin asked the Clerk if there must be a formal structure to the agenda. Donna Baker said there is a policy and procedures book, and any time there is structural change, this book is updated. She said standardization of agendas is good, as it helps the public follow along, and to know what to expect. Greg Wilder, Manager's Office, said in some cases it may be easy to determine external versus internal items, but sometimes it may not. Chair Dorosin asked if there could be a policy for the order of business that said high priority, high interest items will be put at top of agenda, with internal reports pushed towards the end of the agenda. Commissioner Jacobs referred to the consent agenda for the February 21st meeting, noting there is only one item that would interest the public. He said it is unclear to him why these items would be before the regular agenda, in which the public may be interested. He said the way it has been done, up to this point, was to be respectful of staff time at the price of the public, and noted that staff is paid to be present. He said he thought it may be worth trying for flexibility. Chair Dorosin said if having an order is important, then the Board should look at how the order can be rearranged to make more sense. Commissioner McKee said line staff could be sitting for hours, if the consent agenda is moved down. Bonnie Hammersley said she could answer most questions that may come up in a consent agenda, and anything that she could not answer could be brought back at a later time. She is always willing to cover for staff if necessary. Commissioner McKee said he is good with that. Chair Dorosin said the Board has been good about flagging things through emails prior to meetings. Commissioner Marcoplos said to do a trial run, and then reevaluate. Commissioner Burroughs said on another elected board, on which she served, the agenda was changed all the time, and she is in favor of giving the Chair/Vice Chair the flexibility to make a call if needed. Commissioner Jacobs said it would solve a problem of what belongs on consent or not. He said if there was a consent item of particular interest to the public, the Chair/Vice Chair could move it to the regular agenda. Commissioner Rich said additions and changes to the agenda would give the option of changing the agenda. Chair Dorosin said he is convinced that there should be structure, but with retained flexibility. Commissioner Rich said to move the regular agenda (item 7) before the consent agenda (item 6). Chair Dorosin said petitions could be moved to the end, move announcements to the beginning and petitions to the end. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an opportunity to discuss responses to petitions at meetings. He said this information is typically only sent in a letter, and there is no discussion. He said he liked having petitions at the beginning, as it allows concerns to be raised while people's attention is fresh. He said sometimes this is just posturing, but sometimes items of great concern are shared. He said if comments are wasted at the end of the meeting, due to no one listening, then petitions would be wasted there as well.