CC_Minutes_2015_0713 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 13, 2015 Page 25 ber Laliberte noted the care taken in creating the CEC in being clear that it was advisory on policy and process versus "doing," and reiterating the exception with the HRC. When working on a revised scope for the HRC, Councilmember Laliberte noted the need to be aware of that distinction or history. Councilmember Etten stated his discomfort in seating three new commissioners on the HRC if it remained up in the air; but expressed his preference in making it work short-term with those current commissioners having an understanding of the HRC and new people having a learning curve. Councilmember Etten spoke in support of deferring the joint meeting the HRC to October and look at a new pro- cess in January of 2016. Councilmember Willmus agreed with Councilmember Etten, opining that the City Council needed to take time to identify any changes to the HRC's charge, which would be difficult for new commissioners coming on board without having a clear direction for their role at this point. Mayor Roe sought clarification of a technical point with City Attorney Gaughan regarding code language stating that the HRC had seven members and the current reduced level and what constituted a quorum, 3 or 4. City Attorney Gaughan responded that it depended on the actual code language; but opined that the City Council had a mandate to fill any vacancies within a rea- sonable timeframe; and typically a quorum was based on the actual number of members. After further review of the code, City Attorney Gaughan noted the HRC "shall" consist of seven members, and the City Council was therefore man- dated to appoint seven members. Further discussion included vacancy timeframes and expirations of terms, with City Manager Trudgeon advising terms expired respectively in 2016, 2017 and 2018; with the result that vacancies did not need to be filled at this time if a quor- um was available. Mayor Roe opined that it made sense to not appoint new commissioners for the short-term and continue to work with those available. Additional discussion included the historical perspective of commissioners versus those newly appointed; potential amendment of the code specific to the HRC to accommodate any quorum issues in the interim for adoption at the next meeting; and further review of specific issues by the remaining four members of the HRC at their next meeting and before the next discussion by the City Council. Councilmember Laliberte asked the HRC to advise City Manager Trudgeon of their discussion and preferences for dissemination to the City Council.