Rules and Regulations Review Committee Meeting

Date: March 29, 2004

Item: III.B. -- Discuss MPWMD Board Meeting Rules 15 and 18 Regarding Consideration of Consent Calendar Items

Summary: Chair Edwards has expressed a concern that during monthly Board meetings, the public’s business is not handled in a timely manner due to the extended amount of time spent at the beginning of each meeting for discussion of pulled Consent Calendar items.

Chair Edwards proposes that the MPWMD meeting rules be revised to specify that only Directors may pull Consent Calendar items, and that such items should be deferred for consideration after all Public Hearing and Action items have been completed. This change would allow members of the public the opportunity to participate in the consideration of Public Hearing and Action items early in the meeting.

Recommendation: The Committee should review the proposed amendments to MPWMD Meeting Rules 15 and 18, attached as Exhibit III.B.1. The Committee should recommend that the Board approve the proposed changes, or suggest alternatives for amending the rules concerning pulled Consent Calendar items. The Committee recommendation will be presented to the Board at the April 19, 2004 Board meeting.

Background: Under the present rules, Directors and members of the public may request that a Consent Calendar item be pulled. Following approval of the remaining Consent Calendar items, the deferred items are considered. District staff can make a brief presentation on the pulled item, public comment is received, and Board discussion is conducted. The Chair may defer the item to the end of the meeting or to a future meeting.

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