ALPINE — Changes could be coming to the way Alpine city boards and commissions work after City Councilmember Rick Stephens suggested quorum requirements be dropped for most and reductions in the number of members for those where quorums are required by state law.
Stephens suggested the changes during the February 18 City Council meeting. “We are not getting business done due to a lack of quorums,” said Stephens, pointing out that these boards and commissions make recommendations to council, not decisions for the city.
Stephens’ recommendations were supported by Mayor Catherine Eaves and other council members, who agreed that most boards and commissions should still be able to meet without a quorum to discuss issues
City Attorney Cynthia Trevino advised council that while they can remove majority requirements for most boards and commissions, two — Building & Standards and Planning & Zoning — are regulated by state law requiring quorums.
Replying to a question from Stephens, Trevino advised that the number of commission members for Planning & Zoning and Building & Standards could be lowered to five (down from seven) with multiple alternate members to facilitate business by making it easier to achieve a quorum. She added that other cities that have made similar changes have held public hearings in efforts to be transparent.
Discussion ended with the council agreeing that Stephens would work with Trevino and City Secretary Geo Calderon to develop recommendations regarding possible changes.
City commissions and boards include the Animal Advisory Board, Building & Standards Commission, Hotel Occupancy Tax Commission, Music Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning & Zoning Commission.