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Roseville City Council Page 2 of 6 We found that the size of citizen commissions varies considerably, from as few as three members up to fifteen. As for term length, most commissioners served terms of three years, but one was for one year, some were for two years, and in one instance the commissioners served six year terms. Term limits, where they exist, vary greatly. However, most cities do not have term limits for their citizen advisory commissions. In all instances, citizen commission applicants completed an application. In most cities, appli- cants are interviewed, individually, by the Council, the Mayor, the Commission Chair andlor staff. In most instances, the Council appoints commissioners; but in Blaine, Champlin and Edina the Mayor appoints subject to Council approval. In six cities eligible Commissioners are automatically reappointed. In four cities Commissioners reapply and reinterview if they wish to be reappointed. Some Options RE: term lengths, term limits, commission size, appointment & reappoint- ment process 1. Standardize term len�ths and term limits — suggest two 3-year terms. Members would still be appointed in staggered terms so that historical knowledge remains within each Commission. Reasons: Currentlywe see considerableturnover among commission members. In the Human Rights Commission, 7 of the 10 commissioners filled mid-term vacancies; in Parks and Recrea- tion Commission 2 of 7; in Planning Commission 4 of 7; and on the Police Commission 2 of 3 commissioners filled mid-term vacancies. Perhaps shorter terms of three-years each, and term limits of two terms, would serve to attract and help retain citizens not intending to make volun- teer service to a city commission become an unduly long pursuit and impossible time cornmit- ment. Shorter terms in conjunction with term limits also serves to create opportunities for fresh ideas and more citizen involvement without jeopardizing the ability of commissioner members still to develop and use the specialized knowledge they gain through continuous service and ex- perience on a commission. 2. Reevaluate the Size of Commissions. Currently commissions range in size of voting mem- bers from 3 on the Police Civic Service Commission to 10 (plus 1 non-voting student) on the Human Rights Commission (HRC). The HRC often h a. problems keeping a full slate of inem- bers. Staff suggests standardizing the size of standing citizen advisory commissions at 7 mem- bers. We further suggest allowing attrition to reduce the size of commissions larger than 7 members (i.e., the Human Rights Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission). Reasons: Seven members on each commission seems to be a large enough number to provide citizens with a good opportunity to serve their community, yet not be so large as to be unwieldy, or to dilute the value of each member's views, or to suggest that some commissions are more important than others because they have more members.