Agenda - Council - 07/09/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Hardin commented that in light of some of the things that have happened recently, he was not sure that the commissions should be interviewing the applicants. He felt that staff should interview and score them and then bring the information back to the commissions. This way, only questions that should get asked will get asked and all the same questions will be asked. The information could then be shared with the commissions. All commissions will be handled the same. Ms. Waite Smith stated that she puts together a rating sheet from job descriptions but that does not exist for commissions. She stated she would like to develop a.job description to work from. Mayor Hardin suggested that you would not be really looking for specifics - it would be more general in nature. Ms. Waite Smith agreed and stated she would need the commissioners to establish this. Councilmember Beyer stated she is "torn" between letting the commissions handle it themselves but she could see where they may want to have a certain individual and, therefore, it would be a kind of"stacking" on the commission. For example, the Park Commission may not want a special interest group person on their board. Mayor Hardin stated that we want people we feel are best for the job. Councilmember Beyer stated that we want diversity. Ms. Waite Smith expressed a concern about how much guidance the commissions will accept. She met with the Park and Recreation Commission and they felt very strongly about this. Mayor Hardin suggested that the commissions want to have as much power as possible. We need to let them know we appreciate their work and time but it's up to us to make a decision. Ms. Waite Smith stated that's partly why she did not give them a copy of this report. She wanted the Personnel Committee's input and felt that this conversation should be held with-the entire Council. Councilmember Beyer stated this goes hand in hand with the term limits. She wondered how many good people have not applied because some people's terms seem to go on and on. Ms. Waite Smith stated she has talked to one person who felt that was intimidating. Councilmember Beyer felt that Ms. Wake Smith should definitely be involved in the recruitment process. Mayor Hardin suggested developing general guidelines for each commission, reviewing them and making a decision then. He added that when a term is up, that person should have to reapply. Ms. Waite Smith stated that if they are not re-appointed, her concern is, even though we say they have to reapply, it does not sit well with commissions and commissioners if they are not re- appointed. Councilmember Beyer suggested extending the two-year terms to three-year terms. Ms. Waite Smith stated that most cities allow three 3-year consecutive terms and then they are done. Personnel Committee/April 9, 1996 Page 2 of 3 I I I I' I I ! i I I I i I