Discuss Updating the Policy for the Recruitment, Application, and Interview Process of Appointing City Board and Commission Members

The purpose of this discussion is to seek feedback from the City Council regarding improvements to the Boards and Commission Recruitment, Application, and Interview Process of Appointing City Board and Commission Members.   

The City Council may choose to remove, add, or revise policy language.  There are three draft policies attached to this case.  Two of them attempt to streamline the incumbent process with the new applicant process.  One of the drafts completely removes the incumbent process and combines that process with new applicants.  
            
Summary of attached Drafts:

A1:   Cleans up language, adds more details regarding the advertising process to include exactly when the application period would be open and closed, and states that incumbents would be considered in one collective process, concurrent with new applicants, plus other refinements.

B1: Cleans up language, adds more details regarding the advertising process to include exactly when the application period would be open and closed, and states that incumbents would be considered in one collective process, concurrent with new applicants, plus other refinements. This version also provides for the opportunity to expand the recruitment to a continuous process which would be in addition to the regular annual recruitment in an effort to increase the applicant pool. As background, the annual Board and Commission interview process was held Tuesday, March 15th.   There were four interviews for four openings.  All four boards were advertised (EDA, EPB, Park and Rec. and Planning) in the City newsletter, the Anoka County Union, on QCTV, the city website, Facebook and the community sign.  A better turn out of applicants would be beneficial.   

C1: Removes the incumbent reappointment process and combines it with annual recruitment for new members, plus other refinements.  

Based on City Council direction each draft policy can be revised, added to, or reduced.  However, from an administrative perspective, staff would be more effective if incumbents are considered in one concurrent process.   
 
For ease of discussion, the following considerations were not included in the draft policies, but can be added with City Council direction.  1) draft policies  that include language with regard to earlier discussions of revising the incumbent reappointment policy (even/odd terms discussion); and 2) language that considers incumbent applicants separately from new applicants.  With that said, staff will be happy to draft an updated policy for adoption based on the City Council's direction. 

 

This discussion is estimated to take 30 minutes.  

There is no funding needed.

Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Director

To develop an updated and detailed, recruitment, application, and interview process of appointing City Board and Commission Members.