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<br />4) Review Policy for Appointing Board and Commission Members <br /> <br />Assistant City Administrator Nelson stated that there is a staff report included in the packet that <br />. reviews the current process for appointing Board and Commission member. She stated that there <br />were a number of vacancies at the end of 2008. She explained that the current process is that <br />letters go out to members whose terms were expiring asking them to submit a letter if they <br />wanted to be reappointed. She stated that there has been discussion about the process and would <br />like feedback on how the Council would like to proceed. She stated that they have let members <br />know that they should continue to participate, but they would not be able to vote and kept them <br />informed that there may be changes to this process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he and Councilmember Jeffrey have had opposing views on <br />this topic, but he just went through an election where there was an incumbent designation on the <br />ballot. He stated that he feels this gives an advantage to that person. He stated that if the <br />incumbents are considered alongside the incoming applicants he thinks that would be. a good <br />thing. He stated that he does not agree that people should be reappointed, just because. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that the process has morphed over the last few years. He stated <br />that in September there was a meeting with Chairs and Vice-Chairs to see if incumbent people <br />should be considered for reappointment, based on past performance. He stated that there was a <br />discussion that certain names would be moved forward to the Personnel Committee. He stated <br />that he thinks there should be discussion with the Chair and Vice-Chair before these move <br />forward. He stated that he does not disagree that the City should look at everybody, but the <br />Council needs to talk to the Chair and Vice-Chair and get their input. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that he opposes the incumbency process because, as good as some of these <br />people are, there may be better people out there. He asked what the problems are if there is a <br />commission member to be removed. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that they could be removed for various reasons, except on the <br />EDA. He stated that there was a problem with a Planning Commissioner who was removed <br />mid-term, which ended up going to court and was settled. He noted that, in general, to remove a <br />person, j~st for political whims, is not good. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGlone asked if there were criteria in place for a board member who is suing <br />the City and his time is coming due. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that at the end of the term, it could be done quite easily. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he is also opposed to incumbency protection. He stated that out <br />of fairness to the community, if they have interest in serving, they should be able to apply and be <br />considered like everyone else. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGlone stated that he attended the Environmental Protection Board (EPB) <br />meeting and Joe McDilda was there in a non-voting capacity. He stated that one of the issues <br />that came up was when they do their events, they find the most people coming in that want to get <br /> <br />City Council Work Session /January 6, 2009 <br />Page 5 of 16 <br />