City Board and Commission Interviews

The City conducts annual board and commission interviews every March for seats that are vacant and for terms that are set to expire on March 31, with new terms beginning on April 1. This recruitment process includes the Economic Development Authority (EDA), Environmental Policy Board (EPB), the Park and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission.  Per policy, the  annual recruitment process also provides for the possibility of maintaining a file of candidates in the event of an unexpected vacancy later in the year and the following year's recruitment. 

The boards and commissions were advertised in the Ramsey Resident, the City's official newspaper, on the Community Sign, on Facebook, on the City's board and commission website page, as a Spotlight on the City's website homepage and on QCTV. 

New Applicants
At this time, there are 5 new applicants for 4 vacant positions.   Open seats include:
 

• Full 6 year term on the EDA
• Partial 4 year term on the EDA
• Partial 3 year term on the EPB
• Partial 3 year term on the Planning Commission

Incumbents
Five current board and commission members are requesting reappointment.  All 5 have been recommended for reappointment by the respective Chair. 

Policy / Possible Policy Changes
It may be the City Council's desire to update to the Recruitment, Application, and Interview Process of Appointing City Board and Commission Members.  The City Council discussed revising the incumbent reappointment policy at the February 8, 2022 work session. However, this revision has not been formally adopted by the City Council at the time of this writing.  Additionally, at the March 9, 2022 City Council meeting, it was discussed  that additional policy changes may be desired.  If the City Council is in agreement, staff will schedule this item on a future work session agenda, including review of the incumbent application process, their reappointment and how the board and commission seats for the EDA, EPB, Park and Recreation Commission and the EPB are advertised.  In order to effectively administer filling unexpected vacancies through out the year, staff suggests the policy discussion include advertising for all four board and commissions, regardless of whether a vacancy currently exists or not.

For purposes of tonight's interviews, the City Council will interview the new applicants and consider reappointing incumbent members. 

Per Minnesota Statue 469.095 (attached), the Mayor appoints members to the Economic Development Authority with approval from the Council.  The City Council will receive a separate packet with specific non-public applicant information at the beginning of the special work session.
 

Approximately one and a half hours.

N/A

Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Director

Outcome:
1) To select board and commission members, to be appointed at the March 22, 2022 regular City Council meeting, for terms beginning April 1, 2022.
2) Schedule a future work session to consider draft policy language for the Policy for Recruitment, Application, and Interview Process of Appointing City Board and Commission Members