The Homer City Council expanded the Homer Education and Recreation Complex Task Force Monday to include a member of the Parks, Art, Recreation and Culture Advisory Commission.
Several Homer residents took issue with the original list of seven members when Mayor Bryan Zak appointed them to the task force in May. Residents argued that a member from the advisory commission should be assigned to the task force because of the group’s past experience with the Homer Education and Recreation Complex, also known as the HERC.
The city council originally tasked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission with evaluating potential uses for the HERC and how much it will cost to bring it up to code among other questions. The commission later asked the council to create the task force.
Some council members have voiced concern about appointing an even number of members, which could be an issue if the task force splits a vote on an issue.
On Monday, there was no discussion or opposition to adding a Parks and Recreation Commission member to the task force.
The council did have a substitute resolution on the agenda that would have added both a Parks and Recreation and city council member to the task force in an advisory capacity, but it declined to consider that option.
Mayor Zak appointed Debora Lowney to the task force during Monday’s meeting. The group’s first meeting with all eight members will take place Tuesday afternoon.
The task force is due to give its recommendations on what to do with the HERC building to the council in November.
