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This change was intended to align better with advisory group work plans and improve outreach to potential applicants. Issue: Appointment and Membership In recent months, the council has raised questions about recommendations from advisory groups for appointments and requests for removal of members. Membership procedures are largely embedded in Eugene City Code, with additional protocols in bylaws adopted by the different boards and commissions. None of the standing advisory groups to the council has authority to appoint or remove members; however, several have procedures for reviewing applications or interviewing prospective members and offering recommendations to the Mayor and council. Board and commission members generally can be removed by council upon a member’s resignation or for non-attendance. Additionally, the Human Rights Commission has a unique City Code provision, adopted by the council in 1990, which allows a recommendation that the council remove a member upon concurring with the commission that a member has failed to properly represent the commission or otherwise damaged its work. The structure and processes for boards and commissions vary – from the number of members and term Attachment A lengths to the manner in which members are selected. provides an overview of these processes. Issue: Communications with Boards and Commissions The council and advisory group members (including boards, commissions and neighborhood associations) have all expressed a desire to strengthen communications. Annual report and work plan sessions currently occur for the Planning Commission, Civilian Review Board, Sustainability Commission, Human Rights Commission, and Police Commission. These groups also may check in on an occasional basis on specific topics. Regular work sessions are not planned for the Toxics Board and Budget Committee, although the council meets regularly with the latter during budget season. Formal communications to obtain updates and provide direction for Eugene’s members on intergovernmental committees are not established. Additional options include: -Advisory group members can testify on particular issues at public forums and public hearings, identifying themselves either as representing an adopted position of the group or presenting as individuals who incidentally are advisory group members. -Advisory groups can provide written testimony and other materials via email and/or the weekly council packet. -Advisory groups can communicate about events and actions through the weekly council newsletter, working with their support staff to submit articles. -Advisory groups can provide written progress reports to council -- quarterly or twice yearly. -Council liaisons to advisory groups can provide updates during the Committee Reports agenda item at council meetings. -Advisory groups can continue to request work sessions on particular topics when strategic and appropriate. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101020\S101020A.doc