11-15-21-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 15,2021 10 Mayor Grant noted the language applies only to full serving members and not alternates. He stated he would like to understand how many terms each member had served, for those that have served more than three. City Administrator Perrault commented he did not have this information in front of him. Mayor Grant indicated he supported the City enforcing this language as well. City Clerk Hanson stated Commission members may question why they were being asked to step down after having been appointed to a three-year term. City Administrator Perrault stated it can be explained that any Commission member can be removed from a Commission by City Council vote. Councilmember Holmes indicated if this language were enforced, there would be only one member of the FPAC that remains in place. Councilmember Holden commented FPAC was a unique group that should possible be turned into something else instead of being a Committee or Commission because they were project driven and the group does not meet routinely. Councilmember Scott stated all of the Commission members were volunteers willing to serve on behalf of the community. He supported the City Council removing the term limit language in order to all these individuals to serve the City with the understanding the Council could remove anyone by vote. Councilmember McClung supported the City having the term limits in place because this would allow other people the opportunity to serve. Councilmember Holden agreed with Councilmember McClung. She believed nine years was enough time for an individual to serve. She noted there was nothing stopping the individuals that would be asked to step down from still attending the public meetings. Councilmember Holmes stated she believed it made sense to follow the language that was in place and to only allow Commission members to serve for nine years. She reported she did support turning FPAC into something else because this group did not meet often. Mayor Grant stated agreed that FPAC was more of a task force type of group, and that the City can address this particular group's function at a future meeting. Mayor Grant explained the majority of the Council supported the language being enforced, which meant the nine-year term limit would have to be enforced and some difficult conversations would have to be held. He requested the Council to deliver this message to their respective Commissions. He stated Steven Jones and Clayton Zimmerman could continue to serve as alternates to the Planning Commission.