Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Ethics Commission Application Process
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Marcelle Costello at the Feb. 7, 2018, Formal City Council meeting regarding the Ethics Commission Application Process (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
The petitioner requests the City Council provide information regarding the Ethics Commission application process, specifically regarding (1) oral or written public comment regarding Ethics Commission applicants' qualifications; (2) Ethics Commission applicant interviews taking place during public session; and (3) voting by the Judicial Selection Advisory Board (JSAB) on Ethics Commission applicants to select the nominees taking place during public session.
On June 28, 2017, the JSAB met in public session (Attachment B). During this meeting, the Commission Applicants were name screened by the JSAB. On Aug. 1, 2017, the JSAB met in public session (Attachment C) where the Board interviewed the Ethics Commission Applicants and voted whether to nominate each applicant to the City Council for consideration. A Call to the Public was provided during both meetings where any oral or written public comment regarding any applicant could be provided, and a mailing address to send written comment was provided on both agendas.
The next step would be for the Mayor to convene the City Council for the purpose of interviewing the recommended candidates. However, the process to date has not resulted in a sufficient number of eligible candidates. Therefore, staff recommends that the JSAB reopen the selection process to allow for additional candidates to apply. Candidates who already have applied will continue to be considered, if they so choose.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters.