HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/15/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 4.A. PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 15, 2012
Item 4 A - Selection Process for Measure J Commission
Comments and Recomendations
The Process must be Totally Transparent.
We need to convince the 40% who voted no on Measure I that
everything being done is above board.
The only way to accomplish this is with public meetings where the
panel of 100 candidates is being whittled down.
Some candidates present themselves better in writing and some
better in person. All should have the opportunity to be interviewed
I would recommend 2 council committees of 2 members each meet
to interview candidates. The 50 candidates for each committee
would be chosen at random by the City Clerk.
Each committee would then meet to decide the 7 most qualified
candidates to move forward. But these meetings and decisions must
be open, and perhaps televised and placed on the City's website.
The final 14 candidates would then appear at a special full council
meeting for a final interview. The final 7 would then be chosen in an
open discussion among all the council members.
I know this process will take a lot of time from our council's valuable
schedules. I am very sympathetic to that reality. But I would rather
have a little pain now for the gain in public confidence as we move
forward.
Steve Rosenberg
Palm Springs
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1FOR CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2012 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
SUBJECT: DETERMINE THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE MEASURE "J"
OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: James Thompson, City Clerk
SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss the selection process for the Measure "J" Oversight
Commission.
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff as appropriate.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
In October 2011, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1796, creating a Measure "J"
Oversight Commission, provided that Measure "J" was passed by the qualified
electorate at the November 8, 2011, General Municipal Election.
Ordinance No. 1796 establishes a seven (7) member Measure "J" Oversight
Commission, appointed by the City Council to review and make recommendations to
the City Council on the use of funds generated by the implementation of Measure "J," a
local one percent (1%) transactions, sales and use tax.
The City Clerk duly noticed pursuant to State Law, the availability to submit applications
for the Measure "J" Oversight Commission. The community overwhelmingly responded,
and 100 qualified applications were received.
Resolution No. 18804, adopted by the City Council in 1996, establishes general
guidelines for the City Council for the selection of commissioners and board members.
Generally, the City Council appoints two-member subcommittees to screen and
interview candidates and makes recommendations to the City Council for final
appointments.
ITEM NO.
City Council Staff Report
February 15, 2012-- Page 2
Measure"J"Oversight Commission
For a period of time, the City Council has determined that for high profile
Commissions/Boards the City Council, as a whole, shall conduct interviews in an open
and public meeting, and has followed this alternative process for both the Planning
Commission and the Historic Site Preservation Board.
Due to the number of applications received, staff recommends that the City Council
review the written materials received from applicants, and develop a process to create a
short list of approximately 20 to 25 applicants to interview. Below in the Alternatives
section of this report are some examples that the City Council may wish to consider to
develop the short list.
Should the City Council choose one of the methods below, or determine a process
through collective deliberation, the City Council is not bound to appoint only the
applicants on the short list. If after the short list applicant interviews, the City Council
may consider additional candidates to interview.
ALTERNATIVES:
Pursuant to State Law, the City Council has a great deal of discretion in the selection
process for local agency commissioners. The City Council may wish to consider the
following alternative motions/actions:
1. Direct each Councilmember to select five (5) applicants to determine the short-
list to interview and submit applicants to the City Clerk by [insert date]. The City Council
may also want to consider selecting one additional alternate, for potential interview, if
the City Council selections result in duplication to reach the 20 to 25 short list.
2. Appoint a two member City Council Subcommittee to review written materials
and select twenty (20) applicants and submit to the City Clerk to prepare a short list.
The City Clerk to distribute the short list to the three Councilmembers, not on the
Subcommittee, who shall each add two (2) applicants to the short list for interviews.
3. Direct each Councilmember to select fifteen (15) applicants and submit to the
City Clerk to prepare a short list and distribute to the City Council. Direct each
Councilmember to then select five (5) applicants from the short list for interviews.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
AMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK DAVID H. READY, td5PVfHIVAGER
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