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few agenda items. Also, unless a public hearing is attended by a large number of people, the requirement that people petition to speak is usually waived. • In response to a question from Councilmember Kuettel Jones said that the agenda is usually put together by staff, and there are several ways an item can be put on the agenda: • Application from a property owner for a variance or other zoning action • Request by the commissioners themselves following study of an issue, often as the result of citizen concern • Recommendation from the City Attorney • Items that come up elsewhere (the Council or another commission) that fall within the purview of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Anderson pointed out there is no mention of electronic media in the standing rules and felt some modernization is necessary in that direction, possibly with web URLs. She also asked for the Minnesota statute reference, which Commissioner Salzberg later provided from the policy document. Finally she inquired whether the code chapter would be provided. Jones explained that copies for the new commissioners will be provided when binders have been returned by the outgoing commissioners. In subsequent discussion, Commissioner Salzberg noted that the existing rules have no requirement that agendas be distributed to the public, only to the commissioners and other persons having responsibility. (They are, in fact, made available on the city website at the same time they are distributed to the commissioners.) Commissioner Rodich recommended • saying "the city website" where appropriate, as actual URLs are subject to change. Commissioner Rodich asked about the provision that requires members of the public to apply in writing to speak at a hearing. For variance hearing this has not usually been done because there are few people attending, but it has been done at large hearings, for example, for the major redevelopment at Snelling and Larpenteur. After some discussion, commissioners concluded that this could be made at the discretion of the Chair. The commission next discussed the unanimous consent procedure and the provision that no second is required for motions, also the mention of the "consent" agenda. Ms. Kuettel provided some clarification of the consent agenda as used by the Council. Jones said the approval of the minutes is generally the only consent-type item on the commission agenda. Commissioner Noble wanted to address the provision of a Vice Chair and said she thought it would be good to have a vice chair in case the chair is absent. Discussion followed. Anderson suggested a provision to choose an acting chair if the Chair is absent but not have a formal vice chair - in case both individuals should be absent Jones read back to the commissioners the items that had been brought up so far and asked if there were any additions. Commissioner Hasegawa asked why there is no secretary. Jones said some commissions have elected secretaries; for the planning commission the staff liaison usually serves as secretary but this might not always be the case. • Commissioner Salzberg asked how the Chair is elected, as it is not mentioned in the standing rules. It is in the policy document, Jones said, and comes from the city code. Commissioner City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of January 22, 2008 -Page 2 of 3