TO: Mayor Collins and Town Council Members
FROM: Kevin Burke, Town Manager
Duncan Miller, Town Clerk
DATE: September 8, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager
Staff Contact
Duncan Miller, 480-348-3610
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AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Discussion of Ordinance Number 2016-05 Amending the Terms of Office for Committees and Commissions
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SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Proposed Ordinance Number 2016-05 provides a mechanism to extend the terms of office for most committees, commissions, and boards until such time as the Town Council votes to approve the appointments/reappointments.
Historically, the Mayor and Town Council made appointments to committees, commissions, and boards in September with the terms of office starting October 1st. This timeline was reasonable when Town elections were held in the spring. However, now that elections are held in the fall, appointments are made during the middle of an election cycle. Moreover, the public outreach and application process occurs during the summer when many residents are out of Town. Moving the appointment process to the spring with terms starting on April 1st would allow time for the newly elected Council to be seated in January and formulate their goals and priorities for the next two years. The Council could then consider applicants for appointment based on their ability to advance the Council’s goals.
Ordinance Number 2016-05 affords the Council the option to extend the terms of current committee members so that appointments may be considered and approved in March 2017. It is recommended that this apply to the following committees and committee members:
Arts Advisory Committee (staggered 3 year term)
Carol Brecker (2014)
Georgann Byrd (2010)
Louise McCall (2001)
Board of Adjustment (staggered 3 year term)
Robert Nagle (2010)
John Newman (2015)
Hope Ozer (1986)
Hillside Building Committee (staggered 2 year term for citizen appointees)
Scott McPherson (2015)
Historical Advisory Committee (staggered 3 year term)
John Wintersteen (2010)
Personnel Appeals Board (staggered 3 year term)
Richard Coulston (2015)
Planning Commission (staggered 3 year term)
Thomas G. Campbell (2000)
Richard Mahrle (2001)
Jeff Wincel (2013)
It is recommended that the Council not change the appointment cycle for Municipal Court Judges who are currently appointed in October of odd numbered years.
Similarly, members of the Mummy Mountain Preserve Trust and the Municipal Property Corporation will continue to be appointed in October because their terms of office are governed by their Articles of Incorporation. Joan Levinson’s term on the Mummy Mountain Preserve Trust and Phil Edlund’s and Larry Fink’s terms on the Municipal Property Corporation expire in October. They have each expressed interest in being reappointed. Their names will be submitted to Council for reappointment on September 22, 2016.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance Number 2016-05