Council fails to appoint member to planning commission, again

For the second straight month, the Guthrie City Council failed to make an appointment to the Guthrie Planning Commission board. Two citizens requested to be placed on the board, but failed to even make it to a council vote despite being recommended by the Mayor.

The planning commission is a five member board with each member serving a three-year term. Each applicant is appointed by the mayor and selected by the council with a unanimous vote. All boards and commissions are a recommending body to the council.

The planning commission reviews land use and long-range planning issues, along with ensuring that the requirements defined in the Guthrie Comprehensive Plan are executed when reviewing applications for rezoning, platting and special use applications.

Guthrie residents Kay Wade and Darryl Gellenbeck each filled applications to serve on the volunteer board.

Mayor Steven Gentling nominated Wade for the position on Sept. 6. However, a motion was not made by a council member and failed. On Oct. 4, Gentling nominated Gellenbeck and did receive a motion to the item from council member Brian Bothroyd, but a second was not made and the motion failed.

In council comments afterwards, Councilwoman Sharyl Padgett told Gellenbeck her decision was not personal.

“One thing that is important is that Ward III (the member’s district which is primarily on the west side of town) does not have any representation (on the planning commission) and we don’t have anyone with planning knowledge,” Padgett said. “Therefore, that’s why I made my decision. I do hope you apply for other boards,”

Despite not taking action on both applicants, council member John Wood says volunteers are much-needed and offered to have a workshop meeting to further talks about city boards.

“This City cannot run without these boards. We need to make sure to have as many people as possible know about them. We need diversity,” Wood said. “You can’t blame us if people don’t apply, but you can blame us if we don’t put a good faith effort in making sure everyone knows about them.”

In recent meetings, the council has appointed Phil Nichols to the Citizen’s Rate and Fee Advisory Commission. Mike Monahan, Jason Smedley and H.C. Patel were appointed to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Also, L. Davis and J. McClin were reappointed to the Guthrie Housing Authority board.

Along with the planning commission, the City is searching for volunteers for the Board of Adjustment, which reviews appeals in the enforcement of zoning ordinances and makes recommendations to the City Council. To submit an application visit the City’s website.