7.A.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 02/20/2018
- From:
- Stacy Saltzburg, Deputy City Clerk
Information
TITLE:
Consideration of Removal and Appointments: Commission on Diversity Awareness
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Remove Commission Members Marian Bitzui and Elizabeth Foley from the Commission on Diversity Awareness.
2) Make two appointments to terms expiring September 2018.
3) Make one appointment to a term expiring September 2019.
2) Make two appointments to terms expiring September 2018.
3) Make one appointment to a term expiring September 2019.
Executive Summary:
The Commission on Diversity Awareness consists of seven citizens who represent the diverse population of Flagstaff. The mission of the Commission includes, but is not limited to, fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, respect, and awareness among all citizens; recognizing the different economic, cultural, social, racial, religious, and ethnic groups within the City; cooperating in the development of educational programs dedicated to improving community relations; and enlisting the support of various groups to foster diversity awareness.
There is currently one vacant seat available. In addition to the one vacancy, there are two commission members who have not been attending meetings and the Commission on Diversity Awareness is recommending their removal from the Commission. If removed, there will be two additional vacancies to be filled.
Commissioners Marian Bitsui and Elizabeth Foley have not been attending meetings as required and oftentimes the commission meetings have had to be canceled due to lack of quorum. Three of the six meetings in 2017 were canceled for lack of quorum and one meeting in 2018 has already been canceled. Of the last three meetings of the commission, both Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley were absent.
The Board and Commission Members' Rules and Operations Manual states: "...a board or commission may recommend to the City Council the dismissal of any citizen member who is absent for more than two consecutive regular meetings without prior notification. This same rule applies if a commission member is absent for more than thirty percent (30%) of all meetings during a twelve-month period."
Human Resources staff and Chairman Durham have attempted to contact Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley on numerous occasions through email and phone calls, those efforts have been met with little to no communication back.
Should the Council wish to make appointments, there are three applications on file for consideration:
There is currently one vacant seat available. In addition to the one vacancy, there are two commission members who have not been attending meetings and the Commission on Diversity Awareness is recommending their removal from the Commission. If removed, there will be two additional vacancies to be filled.
Commissioners Marian Bitsui and Elizabeth Foley have not been attending meetings as required and oftentimes the commission meetings have had to be canceled due to lack of quorum. Three of the six meetings in 2017 were canceled for lack of quorum and one meeting in 2018 has already been canceled. Of the last three meetings of the commission, both Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley were absent.
The Board and Commission Members' Rules and Operations Manual states: "...a board or commission may recommend to the City Council the dismissal of any citizen member who is absent for more than two consecutive regular meetings without prior notification. This same rule applies if a commission member is absent for more than thirty percent (30%) of all meetings during a twelve-month period."
Human Resources staff and Chairman Durham have attempted to contact Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley on numerous occasions through email and phone calls, those efforts have been met with little to no communication back.
Should the Council wish to make appointments, there are three applications on file for consideration:
Emily Davalos (new applicant)
Jean Toner (new applicant)
DeAnn Wegwert (new applicant)
COUNCIL APPOINTMENT ASSIGNMENT: Mayor Evans and if Council removes Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley, Councilmember Overton and Councilmember Odegaard.Jean Toner (new applicant)
DeAnn Wegwert (new applicant)
Financial Impact:
These are voluntary positions and there is no budgetary impact to the City of Flagstaff.
Policy Impact:
Not applicable.
Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:
There is no Council goal that specifically addresses appointments to boards and commissions; however, boards and commissions provide input and recommendations based on City Council goals that may pertain to the board or commission work plan.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
None.
Options and Alternatives:
1) Remove Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley from the Commission and make two appointments.
2) Allow Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley to remain on the Commission and make one appointment.
3) Postpone the action to allow for further discussion, expand the list of candidates or other Council direction.
2) Allow Ms. Bitsui and Ms. Foley to remain on the Commission and make one appointment.
3) Postpone the action to allow for further discussion, expand the list of candidates or other Council direction.
Community Involvement:
The City's boards, commissions, and committees were created to foster public participation and input and to encourage Flagstaff citizens to take an active role in City government.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
INFORM: The vacancies are posted on the City's website and individual recruitment and mention of the openings by Board members and City staff have occurred, informing others of these vacancies through word of mouth.