Council members used candidate interviews on Dec. 4 to scrutinize attendance at the Planning & Zoning Commission and to request staff follow-up on recordkeeping. One council member reported that an incumbent missed nine of 19 P&Z meetings (48%), and other members said the commission’s recent 2–1 decisions reflected a troubling lack of participation.

The council’s concerns were procedural rather than policy-driven: members asked staff to verify how excused absences had been recorded and to clarify the handbook rules for removal and reapplication. The chair said the city attorney will be asked to provide refresher training for commissioners on voting obligations and conflict-of-interest rules. No formal discipline or removals occurred at the Dec. 4 meeting; instead, members chose to bring recommended appointments back for a Dec. 16 vote after staff reconciles attendance records.

Several applicants addressed attendance directly during their interviews. Laura Weiss, who applied to remain on P&Z, said she had struggled with attendance last year but attributed absences to work and health and promised to be more consistent if reappointed: “I’ve been making the commitment to be more consistent going forward.” Councilmembers emphasized that alternates should be prepared and that staff should improve advance notice to alternates when regular members expect to miss meetings.

Next steps: staff will reconcile the attendance spreadsheet, clarify excused-absence procedures with chairs and the city attorney, and prepare a resolution containing appointment recommendations for the council’s Dec. 16 meeting.