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Chairperson Arkin preferred a flagpole no higher than the height of the house, non- illuminated, a 6 inch diameter, and a nylon or other silent hoist- Commissioner Maas did not wish the Commission to micromanage this issue- ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Commissioners Maas, Kan-ieny, and Sedlak NOES: Commissioner Arkin, Roberts ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Sullivan The motion carried- 7_ MATTERS INITIATED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Roberts inquired about the ability of Commissions to take a political stand, and noted that the City Council decided that was allowable- She noted that this issue concerned her, and believed it would be disastrous for the Commission. She would like this issue to be agendized_ Commissioner Roberts read her statement into the record= "We of the Planning Commission respectfully disagree with your decision to allow City Commissions, as an entire body, to endorse or oppose ballot measures, initiatives, or individual candidates for the following reasons: We believe we function in order to recommend our vote to you, and to fulfill certain codified legal obligations. Endorsing political measures would make us a mere advocacy group- Since any one of us has the right and the democratic obligation to individually, or as a member of an advocacy group, oppose or endorse measures or candidates either by expressing our views or voting accordi~zgly, we are not relinquishing any free speech right As a Commission, we do not always agree -many of our votes are 3-2. Though we may disagree, we function because we respectfully disagree. A political endorsement by this Commission as a whole could jeopardize this working arrangement. Furthermore, we believe chat it would not benefit the City to appoint only Commissioners who would be likely to agree with or promote a particular political viewpoint." Commissioner Roberts noted that she was very disturbed by this issue. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 12, 2003 Page 18