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Mounds View Planning Commission August 4, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 8 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Zwirn indicated he was availing himself of the opportunity to address issues not on the agenda and there is nothing restricting ones ability to make statements and since this Commission is part of, or reports to, the City Council that, in his opinion, is having some problems and struggles with running the City properly he felt he could make the comments. Chair Stevenson asked if Commissioner Zwirn understood that if comments he wished to make did not pertain to planning and zoning matters then this would be not the appropriate venue. Commissioner Zwirn indicated there is nothing that restricts him from that at this point. Chair Stevenson stated that, as Chair of the Planning Commission, he is restricting further comments on items not related to planning and zoning matters or business of the Commission. Commissioner Hegland said he agrees that if it is not Commission business then there are better venues for it and, it is Chair Stevenson’s responsibility to manage the meeting so if having something in the Bylaws makes that easier for the Chair to do so, he would agree. He then said that he felt this was something that was understood by Commissioners. Commissioner Miller suggested stating under Item 4 on the Agenda that the comment period is for items related to planning business of the City. Director Ericson indicated that Staff could do that. He then said that Commissioner Zwirn is right in that there is nothing currently that would restrict the comments and that is why he feels it is appropriate to bring this before the Commission for a possible amendment to the Bylaws to help regulate the types of public comments heard at the previous meeting. Mr. Werner said he liked the emphasis on freedoms in the Staff’s memo on the matter. He then asked who drafted the Bylaws for the Planning Commission. Chair Stevenson indicated that there have been Bylaws since the original Commission was established and the Commission reviews them annually for any necessary changes. Mr. Werner indicated that the Chair should have the authority to limit comments that are not appropriate to the discussions. Chair Stevenson indicated he would feel better doing so if there was something in the Bylaws that stated he was allowed to do so. Commissioner Hegland indicated he felt the Bylaws should state what the purpose of the Commission is and that the Commission is to stick to the business of the Commission. Chair Stevenson asked Staff to review the bylaws to determine whether it clearly states the purpose and duties of the Commission.