Item 3: Ordinance on Boards and Commissions

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Concerning Boards, Commissions and Committees; Amending Section 2.013 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing for an Effective Date Meeting Date: September 21, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Central Services Staff Contacts: Beth Forrest www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5882 ISSUE STATEMENT The council is asked to consider adoption of an ordinance amending the section of the Eugene City Code dealing with terms for boards, commissions, and committees (BCC). BACKGROUND The City of Eugene has a number of standing boards, commissions and committees, including the Budget Committee, Human Rights Commission, Planning Commission, Historic Review Board, Police Commission, Civilian Review Board, Sustainability Commission, and Toxics Board. In addition, a number of ad hoc council committees and department advisory committees exist to inform policy- and decision-making. In 1993, the council adopted changes to the Boards, Commissions, and Committees structure, shifting from 28 standing committees with a hodgepodge of reporting links, membership and appointments to three types of committees: standing committees to the council; council ad hoc committees; and department advisory committees. In 2000, the council modified term expirations, with recruitment running from July until mid-September of each year; balloting, interviews, and appointments occurring in October; and terms starting November 1. For the Budget Committee, at least, this start date has turned out to be somewhat impractical. During a work session on Boards, Commissions, and Committees processes on June 8, 2009, the council discussed and expressed general support for a proposal by Councilor Jennifer Solomon to change the start date for Boards, Commissions, and Committees terms from November 1 to July 1, which would allow for an annual recruitment period that begins in January of each year. Adoption of the proposed ordinance would effectively change term start dates to July 1 and would extend the expiration date of current members from October 31 to June 30 to account for the change. In addition to changes to the term dates, challenges with the current application/interview process were discussed, and it was suggested that the council consider moving to a system similar to that used by School District 4J, which would allow each applicant three minutes during a regular council meeting to speak to their qualifications and convince the council of their suitability for the job. A poll was issued asking councilors whether they wished to continue using the current interview process or pursue the 4J model. The results of the poll indicated the majority of councilors prefer to continue using the current Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090928\S0909283.doc