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PC# ~ <br /> <br /> Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance <br />Amending Section 2.03, Boards and Commissions <br /> <br />By: Givonna Reed, Human Resources Manager <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Since August 12, 2003 the Personnel Committee has had several discussions regarding <br />the length of time it takes to fill vacancies on the City's boards and commissions, as well <br />as the lack of attendance at board and commission meetings. <br /> <br />At its September 9, 2003 meeting, the City Council tabled the discussion regarding <br />options for minimizing the amount of time it takes to fill vacancies on the City's various <br />boards and commissions. In response to attendance issues, the Council directed staff to <br />draft an attendance policy that would allow the City Council to remove a board or <br />commission member from his or her seat after three absences in a six month period, <br />regardless of the reasons for the absences. <br /> <br />The proposed language is as follows: <br /> <br />Attendance Policy <br /> <br />A Board or Commission member having three or more absences from <br />regular or special meetings of its board or commission within any six <br />(6) month period shall be cause for removal of that member from his <br />or her seat on the board or commission. It shall be within the <br />authority of the City Council to remove said board or commission <br />members. <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />The Personnel Committee discussed the pros and cons of having the City Council review <br />a member's status on a board or commission after two absences, as opposed to removing <br />a commissioner after three absences regardless of the reasons for the absences. Staff <br />expressed concern that this approach forced the Council to judge the validity or necessity <br />of commissioners' absences which could subject the Council to claims of discrimination <br />or favoritism. Staff suggested that after three absences in a six month period, Council <br />Members might believe it more appropriate or reasonable to remove members who are <br />not able to make more than 50% of the meetings regardless of the reasons for the <br />absences. <br /> <br />Also, understanding that there is an expectation that board and commission members <br />attend all regular and special meetings, staff added language to the draft ordinance that <br />indicates that missed special meetings will count toward the three absences for which a <br /> <br /> <br />