WORKSHOP ITEM Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
2020 BOARD/COMMISSION/FIRE BOARD APPOINTMENT PROCESS
Background
Council requested staff bring forward for review the 2020 Board and Commission appointment process, particularly for the upcoming vacancies on the SBM Fire Board. Below is the current list of directors for the Fire Board:
|
2019 Board of Directors |
Representation |
Term(s) |
|
Harley Wells |
Blaine |
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
|
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Joe Flaherty |
Mounds View |
2018, 2019, 2020 |
|
|
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|
|
Andy Westerberg |
Blaine |
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff Baker |
Fire Department |
2019, 2020, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Coyle |
Spring Lake Park |
2018, 2019, 2020 |
|
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|
|
|
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Carol Donahoe |
Blaine |
2019, 2020, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tom Stepaniak |
Fire Department |
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
With the two upcoming vacancies next year, Council requested an opportunity to discuss the recruitment and interview process for the Fire Board, including timing of interviews, as there was a desire to have individuals identified prior to the incumbents’ term expiration. Directors are appointed for a three-year term and are eligible for a second consecutive term of three years. As outlined in the bylaws below, after appointment by City Council the current Board has to vote to confirm the new Board members at the annual meeting. The annual meeting usually takes place in March so the new Directors are in place by the April meeting:
Section 8.4 Each City shall designate members to the Fire Board in accordance to their practices, and shall forward their designee(s) to fill expired term vacancies to the currently seated Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will vote to confirm the appointees at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. Community Directors will be confirmed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
The appointment process for the Natural Resources Conservation Board, Park Advisory Board, Planning Commission and Traffic Commission includes interviews of all applicants, including incumbents, by the full Council with Mayoral appointment at the first meeting in March with Council confirmation at the second meeting in March. Should Council wish to amend that process options for applicant review could include:
• Interviews by a subcommittee of Council of new applicants and/or incumbents
• Application review by Board/Commission members, staff, or a combination with recommendation to Council
Recommendation
Council direction is requested on the appointment process for both SBM Fire Board and other City Boards and Commissions.