Workshop - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
Title
Board/Commission Appointment Process Review
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Background
After the 2021 board/commission appointments occurred, Council requested that staff review and make recommendations on ways to better streamline the process including a review of current boards’/commissions’ purpose/focus. Councilmember Jeppson offered to assist in the review as she had some suggestions, as outlined below:
- Currently the process is labor intensive that produces the same results by interviewing incumbents who most likely are reappointed
o Suggest incumbents don’t “reapply” for their seat or interview
o Amend the policy to establish that appointments are for three (3) 2-year terms for a total of 6 years of service
§ Incumbents are still asked if they wish to continue to serve at the end of each term
§ Provide some the potential to serve an additional 1-year for a maximum years of service 7 years
§ Establishes potential maximum term for all members
§ Council could consider three (3) 3-year terms for a total of 9 years, if desired
§ Staff will have to work to ensure that staggering of terms is still in place should terms change
- Appointments by ward
§ At times ward boundaries can limit the appointment of an applicant who would be a good fit but the ward requirements have already been met
§ Goal is to have representation from each ward, but is a goal and “want to” rather than a “have to”
§ With the upcoming redistricting, adherence to wards may be problematic so this flexibility may prove to be helpful for that reason as well
§ Important to consider how to involve candidates not appointed in other ways
• task forces/work groups/etc.
- Options for interview process
§ With the recommendation not to interview incumbents it is highly likely the number of interviews will decrease
§ Suggestions on interview panels include
• Full Council
• Subset/committee of Council
§ Staff/board/commission chairs/Council subset
§ In-person (ideal)
§ Recorded (allows for all panel members to view the interview but may be less comfortable for some applicants)
Staff Recommendation
Staff is requesting Council input on the proposed board/commission appointment process. Once direction is provided, an amended policy will be presented for approval if necessary.
Attachment List
2021 Board/Commission Directory
Board/Commission Appointment Process Policy