§ 14.180. Boards, commissions, committees, task forces or similar organizations: Creation and appointment process.  


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  • (a) Principles: The city shall create and support organizations that enhance community engagement in the city's decision-making process.

    The city shall have a clear and easily accessible appointment system, available to all interested parties, and a recruitment process that ensures diversity of representation and ideas and takes into consideration the city's commitment to civil rights, affirmative action and geographic distribution wherever possible.

    (b)

    Responsibilities:

    (1)

    The city council shall determine whether to use the city's open appointment process or make direct appointments.

    (2)

    The mayor and city council, as the appointing authorities, are responsible for oversight of the recruiting and screening of applicants, and evaluation and recognition of accomplishments.

    (3)

    The city clerk shall administer the open appointments process, develop procedures and standards and assist departments with the creation of organizations and processing of appointments.

    (4)

    Departments shall support organizations under their jurisdiction according to the standards established by the city clerk. Support includes recruiting and coordinating appointments, staffing meetings, evaluating accomplishments and keeping records.

    (c)

    Creation of city boards, commissions, committees, task forces or similar organizations: Council actions creating such organizations shall state:

    Organization

    (1)

    The name, purpose and total number and type of members of the organization.

    (2)

    The city department or division that will assist the organization.

    (3)

    Resource requirements including budget for the organization, if any.

    (4)

    Reporting requirements and a date when a final report, if any, will be due.

    (5)

    When the organization will cease to exist (sunset provision) if applicable.

    (6)

    How the chairperson and other officers will be selected.

    Membership

    (1)

    Who appoints or designates original and succeeding members.

    (2)

    What special membership qualifications are necessary or desirable.

    (3)

    Whether residency is required.

    (4)

    If a public hearing is required for prospective appointees.

    (5)

    The term length of each member, number of term limits (if applicable), and whether terms are staggered or not.

    (6)

    Whether members will receive compensation or privileges.

    (7)

    Any meeting attendance requirements to retain membership.

    (8)

    Limitations on reappointment, if any.

    (d)

    Open appointments process for city boards, commissions, committees, task forces or similar organization:

    Appointment cycles: The City of Minneapolis shall use twice yearly appointment cycles unless otherwise specified. Interim appointments shall be made as needed.

    Application process:

    (1)

    A minimum of three (3) weeks time shall be allowed for the filing of applications and a reasonable time for the consideration of any applications. The application period may be shortened by mutual consent of the board staff and the appointing authority.

    (2)

    Citizens may nominate themselves or other persons, as candidates.

    (3)

    Incumbents seeking reappointment must fully complete a re-application form.

    (4)

    Incumbents maintain their member status until a successor is appointed unless specifically precluded by the bylaws of the organization or city council action.

    (5)

    If there are additional vacancies within twelve (12) months after closing the original application process, the appointing authority(s) may fill the vacancies from among the original applicants without reopening the process.

    Selection process:

    (1)

    Applicants wishing to withdraw from consideration during the selection process must submit a letter to the city clerk.

    (2)

    Appointments must have council approval unless otherwise specified in the originating city council action.

    (3)

    Upon appointment, before assuming full member rights and responsibilities, all members are required to sign an oath of office administered by the city clerk per the City Charter, Chapter 2, Section 18 and Minnesota Statutes 358.05.

    Extension of the selection process:

    (1)

    If necessary to achieve greater geographical or protected class representation, the appointing authority may extend the application period or re-advertise vacancies.

    (2)

    If the appointing authority determines there are an insufficient number of qualified applicants for a vacancy, it may either reopen the process or suggest applicants who must file an application form prior to action by the city council.

    Residency requirements and exemptions for the open appointments process: All appointments made under the open appointments process shall be made from persons who are residents of the City of Minneapolis. Continuing residence within the corporate limits of the City of Minneapolis shall be a condition of all appointees under this process to hold the office or position to which they were appointed. No appointment of a nonresident under the open appointments process will become effective unless a waiver of residency has been approved by a majority vote of the city council. The residency requirement may be waived when:

    (1)

    The appointment is by law or by practice and custom made by another organization or unit of government; or

    (2)

    The person otherwise eligible for appointment is an officer or director of a business or organization that pays property taxes to the City of Minneapolis; or

    (3)

    The appointment relates to a person whose knowledge or expertise provides a unique or special benefit to the board, commission, committee, task force or similar organization, if residency is waived by the city council. (76-Or-182, § 1, 10-29-76; 77-Or-051, § 1, 3-25-77; 79-Or-001, § 1, 1-12-79; 81-Or-210, § 1, 8-14-81; 83-Or-037, § 1, 2-25-83; 83-Or-263, § 1, 10-28-83; 89-Or-130, § 3, 7-14-89; 93-Or-139, § 1, 9-17-93; Ord. No. 94-Or-066, § 1, 5-27-94; 2005-Or-098, §§ 1, 2, 10-21-05; 2008-Or-019, § 1, 2-29-08; 2010-Or-019, § 1, 4-16-10)