Nominating committee slate for chair and vice chair tabled after questions over alternates' eligibility

At the October 2025 meeting the Fair Rent Commission's nominating committee presented a proposed leadership slate and the commission voted to table the nomination until the committee reconsiders and the city attorney is consulted about eligibility rules for alternates.

Hansen Guest read the minutes of the nominating committee and presented the slate: "Chair, Commissioner Jay Hansen Guest; Vice Chair, Commissioner Peter Holliday; and Commissioner Fran Collier Clemens," according to the committee minutes read into the record. Commissioners were then asked to open the floor for nominations.

Several commissioners raised questions about eligibility. A commissioner asked why Commissioner Sonia Oliver was not the permanent representative; another member raised that Guest had been described elsewhere in the record as an alternate and questioned whether an alternate could serve as chair or vice chair. Commissioners said their understanding from prior conversations was that alternates typically do not serve as chair or vice chair and that bylaws commonly require full members to hold leadership positions. Chairing and voting precedents were discussed but commissioners could not find a bylaw clause in the packet during the meeting.

After discussion Commissioner John (chair) moved to table the slate so the nominating committee could revisit the list and the commission could consult with the city attorney; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Commissioners asked the nominating committee to return with a revised slate and for staff to seek an opinion from the city attorney before the November meeting.

No new leaders were elected at the October session; the nominating committee's minutes were entered into the record and the issue was deferred for clarification of eligibility rules.