Boards, Committees, and Commission Appointments

[Robert Owen]

Creating this thread to spark discussion on methodologies for Boards, Committees, and Commissions appointments and if the Charter should direct the method for some or all bodies. Some possible options include:

• Council Liaison appoints a panel as we do today with approval (rubberstamp) by the full council for the panel.
• Amend current process to Liaisons appoint individuals and each individual is voted on separately.
• Mayor makes all appointments, with concurrence by council, similar to presidential or governor appointments. Typically larger cities with full time mayors.
• Each councilor appoints an individual to each body, and those appointments approved individually or by panel by full council.
• Subcommittee of three councilors interview and propose appointments to all bodies. Example: The City of Burleson method linked here.
• Others?

Other items of Note (links):
The City of Buda has a well done manual for members of bodies.
The City of Watuga has well structured and documented SOPs for city staff.

 

[Robert Owen]

City of Denton:

Appointments Each City Council member is responsible for making nominations for board and commission places assigned to him or her, which corresponds to the City Council member’s place. Individual City Council members make nominations to the full City Council for the governing body’s approval or disapproval. Council members will consider interested persons on a citywide basis and review an individual’s qualifications, willingness to serve, application information in selecting nominations for service, and any prior board service/attendance, as applicable. The City Council will make an effort to be inclusive of all segments of the community and will consider ethnicity, gender, socio-economic levels, and other factors to ensure a diverse representation of citizens. In an effort to ensure maximum citizen participation, council members will continue the practice of nominating new citizens to replace board members who have served the maximum terms established by the Denton Code of Ordinances.​

 

[Gene Harris]

City of Denton:

Appointments Each City Council member is responsible for making nominations for board and commission places assigned to him or her, which corresponds to the City Council member’s place. Individual City Council members make nominations to the full City Council for the governing body’s approval or disapproval. Council members will consider interested persons on a citywide basis and review an individual’s qualifications, willingness to serve, application information in selecting nominations for service, and any prior board service/attendance, as applicable. The City Council will make an effort to be inclusive of all segments of the community and will consider ethnicity, gender, socio-economic levels, and other factors to ensure a diverse representation of citizens. In an effort to ensure maximum citizen participation, council members will continue the practice of nominating new citizens to replace board members who have served the maximum terms established by the Denton Code of Ordinances.​

Do not like the reference to DEI in second to last sentence. Why not simply, "the city council will make an effort to include all segments of the community and other factors to ensure a broad representation of citizens". The wording "other factors" is pretty broad and subjective, does it need to be more detailed to include I don't know what?