Bradenton officials want better public input during hearings

Director of Planning and Community Development Catherine Hartley said the city has not been doing anything wrong during quasijudicial public hearings, but it can do better to maximize public involvement.

Hartley is formalizing city procedures based on her early observations. For example, she said during a Bradenton City Council meeting Tuesday, it was “odd that staff didn’t present first so we could provide the council with more information up front.”

She said there should be staff presentations and applicant presentations, and the public should have the right to not only offer opinions during public comment, but also “cross-examine” presenters.

A more formalized procedure “allows for interested bystanders to understand what you are deliberating on,” said City Administrator Carl Callahan.

City attorney Bill Lisch said it’s not a big change and he supports it.

“It just formalizes the procedure,” Lisch said.

Ward 3 Councilman Patrick Roff agreed.

“We should do as much as we can to be up front with the public and this is a nice example of how to do that,” Roff said.

The procedural change only applies to quasijudicial hearings that include expert opinions. Legislative issues will remain the same with public comment available prior to the council taking up an agenda item.

Other business

City officials also debated the ban on using shell rock for parking areas. Shell rock is allowed for landscaping, but was disallowed for use for parking because the materials eventually flow into storm drains and can be difficult to walk on.

However, the city does allow people to park excess vehicles on grass yards, something officials hope to bring to an end by reconsidering the use of shell rock.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 2:07 PM with the headline "Bradenton officials want better public input during hearings."