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 employ its usual manner of voting by written ballot for the positions for which there are more candidates than openings (Alamosa Housing Authority and Personnel Board).
Background:

Council has received notice from citizens wishing to be appointed to various boards. 

 

The following positions are available current positions for each board and those new applicants interested.

 

Council interviewed all applicants at work sessions on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 and Wednesday, September 14, 2022. 

 

Alamosa Housing Authority: One position available. Term expires 6/1/2026.

  • New Applicants:
    • Elizabeth Lujan
    • Lisa Lucero

 

Homeless Coalition: Two positions available: Community Representative. Term expires 6/1/2023. and Homeless/Near Homeless Representative. Term expires 6/1/2025.

 

  • New Applicants:
    • Trina DeHerrera (Community Representative)

 

Library Board: Two positions available. Terms expire 06/1/2023.

 

  • New Applicants:
    •  Jaymi Gile
    • Vashti Siemering

 

Main Street Advisory Committee: One position available: Retail Industry Representative. Term expires 06/1/2024. 

 

  • New Applicants:
    • Jania Arnoldi

 

Personnel Board: One position available, with terms expiring 6/1/2028.

 

  • New Applicants:
    • Judy Egbert
    • Jania Arnoldi
 

 

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 Personnel and Housing Authority Boards, and make a motion to approve appointments for which there are no more applicants that open positions as follows:

 

Homeless Coalition: Trina DeHerrera (Community Representative) to term expiring 6/1/2023.

 

Library Board: Jaymi Gile and Vashti Siemering to terms expiring 6/1/2023.

 

Main Street Advisory Committee: Jania Arnoldi (Retail Industry) to term expiring 06/1/2024. 

 

Personnel Board and Alamosa Housing Authority Board: 

 

  1. Employ written ballots for every opening.

 

  2. 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.