Minutes 03-07-2019 Regular Meeting

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27 Chair Rich made reference to Commissioner McKee's petition earlier this evening about adding public comment to the BOCC work session on March 12t", and asked if John Roberts would respond. John Roberts said the Board can notify the public that it will be allowed to speak, if that is how the Board chooses to proceed. Commissioner McKee said he does not know that voting to allow public comment is necessary. He said he wants to allow anyone to have the opportunity to speak, should one so choose. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the comment period could be limited to 45 minutes. Commissioner Dorosin said if the Board chooses to allow public comment, then the public needs to be notified. Chair Rich said her concern is that 30 people will come to speak, but it is a work session and she does not want to hear repetitive comments. She said the Board does not yet even know that which will be discussed about light rail. Commissioner McKee said his own comments will be repetitive, and Chair Rich is right that most of the public comments will be repetitive; however, because this is a divisive discussion, it is important to insure that everyone has a chance to be heard. He said if there are a large number of people, then a time limit can be imposed. Commissioner Marcoplos said the Board is likely to make a decision on this issue in the next week or two, and the public will hear new information at the work session and could make public comment at the next regular meeting. He said the Board should hold the work session, and let the public speak at the next meeting where the issue is addressed. Commissioner Price asked if there is a sequence in place after the work session occurs. Commissioner Marcoplos said he is not sure, and there is no way to predict at this time. Commissioner Price said Commissioner Marcoplos said the issue would be addressed at a later meeting, and wondered if that meeting date is known, or a process set in place already. Commissioner Marcoplos said the public can always come to the next regular meeting and speak to the item under"public comments on items not on the agenda." Travis Myren said staff will not have an updated financial model for March 12t", and the work session is just an opportunity to catch the Board up on recent information. He said the updated financial model will be available no earlier than March 19th, with the soonest vote being needed by April 2nd, at the earliest. Chair Rich said the reason GoTriangle is coming on March 12t", is that it was the closest meeting available, and the fact that it fell on a work session was unintentional. She said the information that will be presented is all public knowledge. She said it would be nice to have open conversation at the work session. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to allow public comment after the GoTriangle presentation on the Light Rail March 12t" Commissioner Dorosin said given what Travis Myren said he would be in favor of not having public comment on the 12t", but wait until the 19t" Commissioner Greene agreed with Commissioner Dorosin and asked if Chair Rich has the discretion to limit the length of time the public can speak. Chair Rich said this has been a previous discussions about this, but the Board has always kept the 3 minute rule.