Review the Updated Policy for the Recruitment, Application, and Interview Process of Appointing City Board and Commission Members

The purpose of this discussion is to review the updated policy, make any final revisions now that the recent process is complete, and direct staff to bring the policy forward to the City Council at the next regular meeting for adoption.

The recent process, appointing and re-appointing members to terms beginning April 1, 2014, was conducted based on the City Council's direction at the November 26, 2013, work-session.  The minutes from that discussion are attached.  There are two revised policies attached:  1)  The revised policy as discussed previously, and 2) an alternative revised policy -- with the only difference being the exclusion of the Charter Commission language.

In both cases, the updated policies primarily revise the process of considering incumbent members for reappointment.  Hence, it may be of interest to know, as part of the 2013 strategic planning process, members of the Boards and Commissions were asked, via Survey Monkey, "How fair and transparent is the current appointing process of commission members?"  Three of the nine comments were specifically in favor of simplifying the incumbent appointment process.  

Lastly, as the City Council is aware, the City provides members with a per meeting stipend.  Staff would like to provide the City Council with information regarding the "behind the scenes"  work processes involved with issuing stipends and some of the feedback that staff has received over the years from new members regarding the stipend.

This discussion  is estimated to take 5-15 minutes.   At this time, it is planned that the policy will be adopted at the April 22, 2014, City Council meeting as a consent item. 

There is no funding needed.

Colleen Lasher

To achieve an updated, less cumbersome policy for the the recruitment, application, and interview process of appointing City Board and Commission Members; a policy that speaks to the City's three-year working mission statement:  To work together to responsibly grow our community, and to provide quality, cost-effective, and efficient government services.