Auburn’s Planning Commission studies land-use issues and then makes yes or no recommendations about them to the City Council.

It does not make final decisions, it does not amend or revoke rules – that’s the council’s job.

But it appears that even without such power, as of late things have gotten a bit more “interesting” at the meetings than commissioners had hoped. And the occasional parties who come to the meetings hot under the collar, combustible and seemingly ready to go off, are starting to give commissioners the willies.

“One issue that has come up a couple times in the past year is security,” Chairman Judy Roland said Monday, delivering the commission’s annual reviews of rules and procedures to the City Council. “And … if we have a contentious issue, we would like to have police or security there.”

Roland said she and City Attorney Dan Heid have had to handle a few warm moments at meetings over the last year, “and it’s just rather uncomfortable being the chair and having to take care of an issue at the back of the room that continues on and on.”

“I think that makes perfect sense,” Deputy Mayor Largo Wales said of Roland’s request.

“I would just feel better because sometimes it’s a large crowd, and you never know what’s going to happen,” Roland added.

Mayor Nancy Backus said she will work with City staff to ensure that, “we have security for everyone.”

Police are already present at all regular City Council meetings.

Roland said there also seems to be confusion about what the commission actually does.

“Some people seem to think that because we are a planning commission and we are advising the council that we are the ones telling you folks what to do and what issues you need to have on your agenda. So I think there’s a little bit of uncertainty with the public,” Roland said.

So, for the sake of clarity, here is what the City’s website has to say about what the commission is and what it does:

The commission’s seven members, each selected for an initial three-year term, conduct first review and hold public hearings on comprehensive plan and text amendments, area-wide zoning and rezoning, and zoning text amendments.

Commissioners forward their recommendations to the City Council for review and a final decision.

Regular meetings are at 7 p.m., each Tuesday after the first Monday of each month in the Council Chambers on the first floor of Auburn City Hall at 25 W. Main St. The commission meets in study session from 6:30 to 7 p.m. before each regular meeting.