Agenda - Council - 05/13/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I '1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The second question in the survey was whether the current term length of two years for commissions other than the Charter Commission are adequate. Two respondents thought two- year terms were adequate. The other six thought four-year terms make more sense, or even five years in the case of Park & Recreation Commissioner, given the amount of time it takes new members to learn the processes and issues. One respondent explained that four year terms allow better staggering of appointments so that a commission never loses more than two members per year. With four-year terms, two commissioners can be replaced each of the first three years and one is replaced the fourth year. The third questions concerned how to implement term limits in a way that balances newcomers with more experienced members who provide institutional memory and continuity. All respondents advised against having any commission lose too many commissioners at one time. One idea was to rotate half the commission every two years, assuming terms of office remain two years long. Another was to allow long-time commissioners a "grace" year after term limits are implemented. Finally, one respondent suggested returning to the four-year terms with two people rotating out in each of the first three years and one being replaced the fourth year. One respondent mentioned that each commission might need to be examined separately and a rotation schedule established to deal with the specific composition of the commission. In 1992 the City Council adopted an ordinance making terms on ail City Boards and Commissions two years, except for Charter, which is specified by Minnesota Statute 410.05 subd. 2. Another ordinance would be required to change the length or terms or adopt term limits. Given this feedback, staff recommends that the commission appointment policy be amended to include term limits as follows: 1) Terms of office for members of City Boards and Commissions will be four years in length. 2) Individuals serving on City Boards and Commissions shall be limited to two consecutive four-year terms of service on a commission. 3) Individuals may apply to a different commission immediately upon reaching the term limit on one commission. 4) Individuals may reapply to the original commission only after being off the commission for at least one four-year tenn. 5) Two members of each commission will stand for reappointment in each of the first three years and one members of each commission will stand for reappointment the fourth year. 6) Term limits will be phased in for each commission in a manner determined jointly by the chair and vice chair of the commission, two members of the City Council and the Administrative Services Manager.