2017.03.28 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Jacobsen explained that approximately 2/3 of the Public Safety Commission would be changed out in April. Mayor Johnson stated she had considered this but believed the proposed appointees would give this group a fresh start. Councilmember Jacobsen requested further information on why three incumbents within Public Safety should be replaced. Councilmember Strub commented each have served and been active participants. He explained the Council has discussed incumbency not being a guaranteed return. The Council had to take into consideration the benefit of experience versus the potential of a new candidate. He stated he had not demerits against any of the other incumbents. Councilmember Bauman believed the City has never had an issue filling the Public Safety Commission. She questioned why the City Council set a three-year tern on a Commission seat if the Council was now going to reevaluate each Commission position on a yearly basis. She feared the Council would be setting a precedent by taking this action. She believed that the Council's action to replace incumbents would lead people to not want to serve the City. Mayor Johnson stated every decision she made was with the best interests of the City in mind. She explained her suggestions were being made with this information in mind. She commented that Commission positions were appointed and not elected. She believed the City had a list of candidates that were more qualified than those currently serving and for this reason, she encouraged the Council to reconsider the Commission positions. Councilmember Strub believed there has been a shift in the paradigm and he supported the Council reevaluating the City's Commissions on a yearly basis in order to ensure the people serving were the best and most qualified. Councilmember Bauman stated she would like to see Tonya, Drew and Nasreen on Public Safety. She explained she would remove William Cook. She provided further comment on her recommendations for the Commission appointments and suggested Todd be placed on the EDC and Emily be placed on the Planning Commission. Councilmember Jacobsen stated he also would like to see Drew on the Public Safety Commission. He commented further on Drew's work experience. Councilmember Strub explained that William Cook lived in his neighborhood which meant he may be biased. He believed that William would be an outstanding contributor to the City and had deep ties to the community. Councilmember Jacobsen believed Rachel should be placed on the Planning Commission. Councilmember Burg stated these decisions were so tough because of the number of great candidates that came out this year. Mayor Johnson suggested the appointments move forward as she recommended and that Drew be contacted to `� serve on a Youth Commission.