Carlisle council approves committee assignments, extends citizen terms and dissolves Recreation and Events committee

The Carlisle City Council on Jan. 14 approved a reorganization of council committees and citizen board appointments, adopted changes to appointment terms for resident members and voted to dissolve the Recreation and Events committee.

Council confirmed committee chairs and member assignments discussed at length during the meeting. Among the assignments read into the record: Tim Humphreys as chair of Economic Development; Jason Faulkner as chair of Finance; Debbie Kemper as chair of Lanes and Streets; Mayor Randy Winkler listed as chair for Utility Committee with Chris Stivers and Michael Kilpatrick as members. Staff also confirmed representatives and alternates for several regional bodies and advisory boards, including Elena Garys and John Coffey on regional planning commissions.

During the discussion councilors asked staff to standardize appointment terms so citizen members have a consistent expiration date to allow adequate time for reappointments. The council directed that resident (non-elected) terms be extended to Jan. 31 of the year following the date shown on the appointment lists so reappointments and interviews can occur before terms lapse. Councilors noted this change is intended to avoid gaps in citizen-board membership and to allow newly seated council members to take part in appointment decisions.

Council also moved to dissolve the Recreation and Events committee (also described in the packet as the Recreation and Events special committee or "special events committee"). The motion to eliminate the Recreation and Events committee was made and seconded in open session and adopted by roll call; the record shows an affirmative vote. Council members said the parks and recreation board now handles the functions previously covered by the ad hoc committee and that two resident members of the committee were no longer able to participate.

The council took a final vote to adopt the set of appointments and committee assignments with the edits described above. Staff said it will update the published appointment list to reflect Jan. 31 expirations for resident terms and to note the Recreation and Events committee is dissolved. The updated appointments and committee roster will be posted to the municipal record and used for scheduling future meetings with external bodies.

The councilalso reviewed numerous board and commission rosters during the item; staff and council confirmed representatives for regional bodies including the Warren County Regional Planning Commission, Mountain Valley Regional Planning Commission executive board, the Warren County Health District advisory committee and other advisory panels. Several council members volunteered to remain on boards and others agreed to serve as alternates.

The committee and appointment changes take effect immediately and staff was directed to publish the revised rosters and to contact external boards with updated member information.