Committee seeks contact after longtime volunteer Doug stops responding; obituary appears to confirm passing

Committee members raised concern that a regular volunteer, Doug, had stopped responding to outreach and had not attended recent meetings; later in the meeting members said they located what appears to be an obituary and discussed follow‑up steps.

Kelly told the group she had tried to reach Doug and had not received a response; staff reminded members that Doug’s last meeting attendance had been in December and that the committee had sent notice asking him to contact staff or face vacating the seat. “If you don't, we're gonna vacate your position and start advertising to fill that position,” a staff member said during prior outreach attempts.

Later in the meeting several members reported discovering an obituary that would explain the absence. Committee members expressed sadness and said they would try to contact next of kin or coordinate outreach through staff. “That's so sad,” one member said after the obituary was shared in the group chat; another suggested Annie Clark and Jose be asked to confirm arrangements and whether the committee should formally post the vacancy.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the seat during the meeting. Staff said the next steps would include confirming the volunteer’s status with family or emergency contacts, notifying the council liaison if a vacancy is confirmed, and beginning the city’s normal advertising process for an open committee seat if needed.

Members asked to be informed by staff about any confirmed next steps and offered to assist with outreach or to prepare any necessary public notices.