Administration - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
2022 Board and Commission Mayoral Appointments
Executive Summary
Council is asked to appoint the 2022 Board and Commission members.
Background
The board and commission appointment process was amended in 2020 by removing the process from city code and establishing a council policy to allow for flexibility in the future. Since then, Council has evaluated the policy and concluded further revisions could be made, including reducing the number of members on the Natural Resources Conservation Board from 11 to 9 as two members are not renewing for 2022 and amending terms from three 2-year terms to a maximum of two 3-year terms. These changes have been included in the amended council policy and will be incorporated by resolution as needed.
The Mayor reviewed applications from 11 outstanding candidates for Board and Commission vacancies and, after much consideration, will announce the following appointments for Council confirmation:
Natural Resources Conservation Board
Gene Rafferty 3/25 Ward 1 (reappointment)
Carolyn Panning 3/25 Ward 3 (reappointment)*
Park Advisory Board
VACANCY 3/25 At Large (Chair Bird)
Jeff Lester 3/25 Ward 2 (reappointment)*
Kristofer Paulseth 3/25 Ward 3 (reappointment)*
Tonya Lizakowski 3/25 Ward 3 (reappointment)
Planning Commission
VACANCY 3/25 At Large (Chair Ouellette)
VACANCY 3/23 Ward 1 (Commissioner Villella)
Lauren Patrin Deonauth 3/25 Ward 1 (reappointment)*
Terri Homan 3/25 Ward 1 (reappointment)
Jason Halpern 3/25 Ward 2 (reappointment)
Alan Goracke 3/25 Ward 3 (reappointment)
Traffic Commission
VACANCY 3/25 Ward 3 (Commissioner Skarich)
Todd Haas, Chair 3/25 At Large (reappointment)
Terry Wold, Vice Chair 3/25 Ward 2 (reappointment)*
Loren Hill 3/25 Ward 2 (reappointment)
Mark Wifler 3/25 Ward 3 (reappointment)
Senior Advisory Board - 2-year terms to expire 1/31/23
Diane Haugen (new member)
Jane Conley (new member)
Adjunct Members - no specified term expiration
Isabel Hobot (reappointment)
*As mentioned during the redistricting discussions, based on the newly adopted ward boundaries some current member ward assignments have changed:
NRCB - Carolyn Panning - Ward 2 to Ward 3
Park Board - Jeff Lester - Ward 1 to Ward 2
Park Board - Kris Paulseth - Ward 2 to Ward 3
Planning - Lauren Patrin Deonauth - Ward 2 to Ward 1
Traffic - Terry Wold - Ward 1 to Ward 2
Staff recommends reappointment of these members for another term after which ward appointments can be reviewed again and addressed.
Strategic Plan Relationship
As advisory bodies, board and commission members relate to all facets of the city’s strategic plan as their work is an integral part to decision-making by the city council.
Board/Commission Review
N/A
Financial Impact
Financial impacts include a small stipend for meeting attendance by members and staff time as liaisons supporting each board or commission.
Public Outreach/Input
Advertisements for vacant positions was published in the official newspaper and posted on the city’s website and all social media channels.
Staff Recommendation
Mayor to announce board/commission appointments for 2022-2023, including chair designations, after which council, by motion, should confirm. The city extends its thanks to all board and commission members, past and present, for their service to the residents of Blaine.
Attachment List
None