pages: CityCouncil/2012-02-07.pdf, 10
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2012-02-07 | 10 | Councilmember Johnson stated perhaps the Youth Commission could be reduced to nine members; five members would constitute a quorum. The City Manager stated two organizational questions are at stake; staff believes that there are too many members and too many meetings; each individual meeting becomes less important by having too many members and too many meetings; people become discouraged from showing up when a quorum becomes an issue. Councilmember Johnson stated reducing the number of meetings might solve the attendance issue. The City Manager stated the issue has been addressed by Council for over a year; that he does not object to waiting another six months if Council chooses; the matter needs to be brought to closure. Vice Mayor Bonta stated that he agrees that Council needs to move quickly and efficiently but also needs to move in the right way; a public engagement process is important; direction has been given to do a survey; public workshops have been discussed and should happen; a four-month extension is reasonable to ensure that things are done correctly. Councilmember deHaan stated the Youth Commission problems are two-year terms and reaching a quorum; that he thinks the Public Art Commission should be pushed back under the right area and the Film Commission should be put back under the Economic Development Commission. Councilmember Tam stated having Boards and Commissions is the City's way of dealing with public participation and engagement; that she would suggest folding the matter into the public participation policy with appropriate workshops and provide the time necessary to do things right in accordance with Vice Mayor Bonta's comments. The City Manager stated as long as there are problems with quorums, Boards and Commissions cannot function in the important matter intended which is to provide advice to Council; Boards and Commissions provide a very important function; staff is not trying to limit participation but is trying to make participation effective. Mayor Gilmore inquired when the public engagement policy would becoming to Council. The Deputy City Manager responded meetings are scheduled for March 12th and March 25th; stated staff would be coming back to Council in April. Councilmember Johnson stated that her preference would be to leave the Recreation and Park Commission at seven members because a full balance of perspectives is needed; fixing frequency of meetings would help solve the quorum issue. Mayor Gilmore stated the request [reducing membership to five] came from the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 10 February 7, 2012 | CityCouncil/2012-02-07.pdf |