Agenda - Council - 04/23/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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designated seat. The Commission felt that's not a good idea because it opens the way for other special interest groups to request a designated seat. Mr. Schroeder felt it made sense to have someone on the Commission with knowledge of youth but to not necessarily have a designated seat. The direction was to have the Administrative Services Manager review the current process. Some discussion took place about who will interview - there appears to be the option of having the Personnel Committee do the interviewing. Councilmember Beyer inquired how other cities handle this. Mr. Schroeder responded that in the other dries he has worked in, the Council appoints the Commissioner - the Commission itself is not involved. Administrative Services Manager Wake Smith offered to talk with other cities and also talk to the commissions about what qualifications are necessary to serve on their particular commission and how they feel about Council interviewing. Mr. Schroeder pointed out that nine versus seven members was also discussed. Councilmember Beyer noted that in the City Code it does not state how many commissioners are allowed - it says up to nine members. Mr. Schroeder suggested reviewing the advantages/disadvantages of nine versus seven members but maybe no changes should be made until tiffs particular interview process is done. There are currently three applications for the open commission seat (Reid Droegemueller, Margaret Connolly and Bev Swanson). He believed that Ron Hetland is interested in that seat, but he is not a formal candidate. Mr. Schroeder felt that Council should fill the existing vacancy. He added that during his tenure, staff has not made a recommendation to seat a particular candidate for a Commission seat. However, because of the process that has just occurred and the emotions involved, he felt this should be done. He recommended that Reid Droegemueller be appointed to the vacant seat. Mr. Droegemueller has been a long-term resident of the City and has been active in recreational programming for quite some time. The Commission does not currently have a commissioner with his unique experience. Mr. Droegemueller has also expressed an interest in a Commission seat in an on-going fashion since at least 1994 - perhaps 1993. He felt that Mr. Droegemueller can also assist in the ongoing effort to improve relationships between RYAA and the City of Ramsey better than anyone else can at this time. Councilmember Beahen suggested it makes good sense to bring closure to this and then have the process reviewed by Ms. Waite Smith, including the seven or nine members. Mayor Hardin agreed that this process does have to be looked at, which would include all the commissions. Councilmember Beyer also agreed that closure has to be brought to this issue; however, she felt a bit uncomfortable not going through the process of reviewing the three letters of intent. Motion by Councitmember Beahen and seconded by Mayor Hardin to direct staff to review the appointment process for City commissions. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Beahen and Beyer. Voting No: None. Motion by Councilmember Beahen and seconded by Mayor Hardin to recommend fRling the vacancy in the Park and Recreation Commission with Reid Droegemueller. Personnel Committee/February 13, 1996 Page 4 of 5 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I