Tumwater’s planning commission mulls training for new, old members

The Tumwater Planning Commission ironed out their plan to help orient new planning commissioners and provide continuing education for incumbent commissioners. 

Planning Manager Brad Medrud discussed the training opportunity memorandum with the Commission on their Tuesday, Feb. 22, meeting.

"While there would be a different emphasis for training new commissioners compared to continuing education for current commissioners, the general topics of the training would likely remain the same," Medrud explained.

Training topics include legal basis for planning, the Commission's organization and its relationship to the City Government, and the City's long-range planning work program.

Newly appointed planning commissioners would also undergo training on meeting management rules and the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), including records training. Incumbent commissioners must undergo OPMA training every four years as part of their continuing education.

The Commission also reached out to the cities of Lacey and Olympia to find out what they currently do for planning commissioner training. 

Tumwater's Planning Commission currently consists of nine members who serve four-year terms. With the City Council's approval, the Mayor appoints the commissioners who are considered as unpaid volunteers based on state law.