Agenda - Council - 08/26/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

PC CASE Discussion Regarding Amending the Process for Appointing Board and Commission Members Givonna Reed, Human Resources Manager Background: On August 5, 2003, Michael Reeve submitted a letter ofresi~kmation from the Planning Commission with an irmnediate effective date. As a result of Mr. Reeve's resi~m~ation, there was one vacancy on the Planning Commission. At the August 12, 2003 Personnel Committee meeting staff sought authorization to begin the recruitment process for a replacement. The City Council authorized staff to advertise the vacancy but asked that responses be provided to the following questions in the inter/m: · Can the policy for appointing board and commission members be amended to allow the Personnel Committee to fill a vacancy with someone who has been interviewed within the previous 12 months without conducting a second interview? · Can the City appoint alternates to serve and vote, in the event that a Planning Commissioner is unable to attend a meeting? Staff has researched these issues and would like to provide the Committee with the following infon~nati on: Can the policy for appointing board and commission members be amended to allow the Personnel Committee to fill a vacancy with someone who has been interViewed within the previous 1.2 months without conducting a second interview? Section 2.2 of the City Charter, Boards and Commissions, states that "Notice of initial formation and all vacancies shall be published in the city newsletter and in the legal newspaper;" therefore, this action would require an amendment to the City's,charter. ° The City's Policy for Appointi~,g Members to City Boards and Commissions could be amended to allow for this policy change. If it is the Committee's desire to implement these changes, the interview committee may want to rank applicants during the first interview so that everyone is clear about who will be appointed if a seat becomes vacant over the next 12 months. Can the City appoint alternates to serve and vote in the event that a Planning Commissioner is unable to attend a meeting? At the June 10, 2003 City Council meeting, the Council discussed the attendance of Planning Commissioners and the possibility of appointing alternates as a way to deal with quorum issues. The consensus was that a letter would be sent to each member stressing the importance of attendance at each meeting and asking Commissioners to contact staff if they are unable to meet the time commitment. That letter has been sent to all Commissioners. If it is the Committee's desire to implement this change, it does not appear that there is a legal reason why the change could not take place. G:\Adminislration\14umanResources~Comnfissions\Plamfing~2003\follow up from 08-14-03 CC m~eting.do¢ -341-