Item Coversheet
ALAMOSA CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

Subject/Title:
Appointment of Board/Commission Members
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that Council consider making Board appointments for those positions for which there are no more candidates than openings by motion to appoint all such candidates (assuming Council considers them qualified and appropriate, and appointing the two applicants to the two terms expiring in 2026 on the HPAC board, leaving the term expiring in 2024 open, and the one applicant to the Tree Board to the term expiring in 2026, leaving the term expiring in 2023 open), and employ its usual manner of voting by written ballot for the one position (Recreation Advisory Board) for which there are more candidates than openings.
Background:

Council has received notice from citizens wishing to be appointed to various boards for the June 2022 appointment cycle. 

 

The following positions are available current positions for each board along with the currently seated board members requesting reappointment and those new applicants interested.

 

Council interviewed all applicants at work sessions on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 and Wednesday, May 18, 2022. 

 

Historic Preservation Advisory Committee: Three positions available with one term expiring 6/1/2024, and two terms expiring 6/1/2026.

 

  • Requesting reappointment:
    • Don Thompson
    • Andrea Bachman
  • No new applications received.

 

Homeless Coalition: One position available: Community Representative. Term expires 6/1/2023.

 

  • New Applicants:
    • James Slovak (Community Representative)

 

Main Street Advisory Committee: Three vacancies: Property Owner, Hospitality Industry, and Retail Industry all with 2 year terms expiring 06/1/2024. 

 

  • Requesting Reappointment:
    •  Mark Martinez (Hospitality Industry)
  • No new applications received

 

Planning Commission: One position available, Alternate Position a with term expiration of 6/1/2026.

 

  • No new applications received.  

 

Recreation Advisory Board: One position available with a term expiring 6/1/2025. 

 

  • Requesting reappointment: 
    • Jon Brownell

     

  • New Applicants:
    • James Slovak

 

Tree Board: Three vacancies, two regular positions, one alternate. Terms expire 6/1/2023 and 6/1/2026. 

 

  • Requesting Reappointment:
    • Megan Dudley
  • No new applications received.

 

Personnel Board: Two vacancies, with terms expiring 6/1/2028.

 

  • Requesting Reappointment:
    • Kindra Lambert
  • No new applications received.

 

Council will appoint Board Members by way of a vote. Established by Resolution No. 12-2011, adopted on May 18, 2011, the City Council outlined the policy of how the appointment process to its various advisory boards would be conducted. According to the policy, appointments to a City Advisory Board shall be by ballot and shall only be effective when appointed by a majority of Council present at a meeting for which a quorum has been declared. In no circumstances will a board member be seated who has had less than three councilors vote for their appointment. All ballots shall include a “none of the above” option for the Council. The candidates and the none of the above line shall be referenced as “council options” below.

 

Once all ballots have been counted, Council will affirm those votes by a voice motion ratifying the selection done by ballot.

Issue Before the Council:
Does Council wish to make appointments for those who are interested in serving on the boards? Ballots have been provided for each board needing an appointment as indicated in the policy above. 
Alternatives:
  1. As suggested under staff recommendation, conduct a ballot vote for appointment to the Recreation Advisory Board, and make a motion to approve appointments for which there are no more applicants that open positions as follows:

 

Historic Preservation Advisory Committee: Don Thompson and Andrea Bachman to terms expiring 6/1/2026.

 

Homeless Coalition: James Slovak (Community Representative) to term expiring 6/1/2023.

 

Main Street Advisory Committee: Mark Martinez (Hospitality Industry) to term expiring 06/1/2024. 

 

Tree Board: Megan Dudley to term expiring 6/1/2026. 

 

Personnel Board:  Kindra Lambert to term expiring 6/1/2028.

 

  2. Employ written ballots for every opening.

 

  3. Make fewer or no appointments and further direct staff

 



Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Legal Opinion:
The City Attorney will be available at the meeting for any questions. 
Conclusion:
Advisory boards play an important role in providing advice and direction to Council and staff. If the proposed applicants meet Council's expectations, then it would be appropriate to make appointments to these positions. It is also appropriate for Council to direct staff to continue recruitment if these applicants do not meet Council's expectations.