The Board of Commissioners responded to the public, allegations, and disagreed on the appointment process during last night's Weekly Business Session.
The meeting commenced at 5:37 p.m. with a Public Hearing in the Matter of Library Annexations. Motions to pass both annexations were not seconded.
Topics brought to the board during public comment included 2 Guys 1 Truck, recusals and quorums, emails against fair fees, with some questioning Commissioner Ron Smith's reasoning for not voting on the vacancy and his responsibilities.
Other topics included wanting elected officials to work as a team, in-person voting, the homeless, a time capsule, appreciation for both Smith and Commissioner Chris Barnett, questioning Barnett for not seconding the Library Annexation motions, and a document brought by former Commissioner John West regarding Smith and alleged sexual harassment.
In response, Smith said West lied. Smith then defended his reasoning for not participating in the vacancy meetings. Barnett responded to each comment, bringing up Rogue Indivisible, the Library Lease, the recall, and alleged misinformation. He also had a citizen escorted out due to a lack of decorum.
A motion to approve the consent calendar carried 2-0. Barnett then wanted to correct the record, showing a document with meeting minutes claiming Smith voted former Commissioner Andreas Blech as the chair, which Smith denied.
Barnett went on to say there was a quorum of the board, and that there is no 30-day rule because of the quorum. Smith said Barnett has no authority and that he will be gone in two weeks, at which time Smith said the temporary board will appoint two Commissioners. In response before adjourning, Barnett said Smith hasn't done anything in the last year for the community.
