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7. MATTERS INITIATED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS Rules of Debate Commissioner Blank disclosed that he had conversations with Ms. Harryman regarding this particular issue. He noted that page 41 of the Commissioner’s Handbook, under “Rules of Debate,” read: “The presiding officer shall request a motion. The motion is made and seconded, and all Commissioners will have an opportunity to state an opinion on the motion. Once the Commissioners who wish to be heard on the motion have spoken, the presiding officer shall call for the question. The Commissioners, including the presiding officer, may make second debate motions.” He noted that in discussions with Ms. Harryman, he noted that the presiding officer should not originate a motion unless no motion is forthcoming from the Commissioners. Podcasts of Planning Commission Meetings Commissioner Blank wished to renew his statement that podcasts of the Planning Commission meetings would be very valuable in making the details of controversial items freely available to both the public and the Commissioners. He wished to renew his request that the audio of the Planning Commission meetings be podcast on the City’s website, which would serve the public and would give greater visibility to the Commission proceedings. He noted that considerable time and money is invested in projects and that a great deal of time and money has been spent in debating what has been said. Ms. Decker noted that she would follow up on Commissioner Blank’s request and noted that preliminary discussions had been undertaken. Staff has been looking to make the processes as transparent as possible, and webcasting the City Council meetings was the first step in testing the concept. Commissioner Blank complimented staff on the quality and worth of the webcast. Statement of “No Confidence” in Chairperson Fox Commissioner Olson read his written statement into the record: “I wish to read the following statement for the record to be followed by a motion. “Having served on the Planning Commission for just over a year, I have had ample time to watch the operation of the Commission under what I would consider the ‘questionable leadership’ of our current Chairwoman Anne Fox. A pattern has developed that I believe is not in the best interests of the effective functioning of this Commission, and in maintaining a positive view of the Commission by the community at large. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 11, 2007 Page 19 of 27