Agenda 10-01-19 Item 8-a - Minutes

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8 1 Commissioner McKee said there are 20-25 members of the public in attendance tonight, 2 and last Tuesday he asked to set some time aside, at the end of this work session, to allow for 3 public comment, despite public comment not typically being allowed at a work session. He said 4 he made a motion to this effect, which failed. 5 Commissioner McKee respectfully asked if the Board would set aside the policy, and 6 allow the public to speak at this work session. He said there may be some excellent ideas 7 contained in the public comments. 8 Commissioner Marcoplos said the Board should not make rules on the fly, and he does 9 not support this. He said the Board will conclude this issue at some point, and the public will 10 have ample time to speak on something specific. 11 Commissioner Greene agreed with Commissioner Marcoplos, as long as there is ample 12 opportunity for the public to speak on any proposals prior to the Board taking any votes. She 13 said she recommends have two public hearings. 14 Commissioner Marcoplos said there should be a wider discussion on public comment, 15 and the Board should not change the rules in mid-stream. 16 Commissioner Dorosin said he would not support having public comment at this time, as 17 people emailed about this meeting and were told there would not be public comment. 18 Commissioner Greene said she disagrees with Commissioner Marcoplos, and sometimes 19 there are topics that warrant greater public discourse than others. She said the Board is made 20 up of sensible people, and can be responsive to the community. 21 Commissioner Price agreed with Commissioner Greene, and said the Board can change 22 when it needs to change. She said she is open to speaking with the public individually, and 23 welcomes emails. 24 Chair Rich said it sounds like the topic of public comment should be a topic for an 25 upcoming work session. 26 Chair Rich said she does not think the lack of public comment at a work session is equal 27 to the Board silencing the public. She said it is just a policy, which can be reviewed and 28 changed, if necessary. 29 Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to have a broader conversation about whether 30 the towns have any future annexation or growth plans. He said some of these high-density 31 places are right on the borders of existing limits. He said some of these fringe areas will 32 experience suburban ization, and general regulations will need to be considered. 33 Commissioner McKee said he has chastised Commissioner Dorosin for making changes 34 on the fly in the past, which he does not regret. He said every meeting belongs to the BOCC and 35 it is able to make any changes it so chooses. He said he sees the rest of the Board does not 36 agree with him about allowing public comment at this time. 37 Chair Rich said it sounds like staff will have a lot of work to do prior to being able to have 38 another work session on this topic. 39 John Roberts said at least a month. 40 Chair Rich said probably 2-3 months, given that work session agendas are set in 41 advance. 42 Commissioner Greene said she thought the permit idea is a good one. 43 44 3. Adjournment 45 46 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner McKee to 47 adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m. 48 49 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 50 51 Penny Rich, Chair