City manager proposes folding appointive committees under Citizens Advisory Committee as subcommittees

Summary

At a Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, City Manager Catherine outlined a proposal to reorganize several appointive committees into subcommittees under the Citizens Advisory Committee to address uneven workloads and staff shortages; members broadly supported liaison and autonomy models and asked staff to return with details.

Catherine, the Des Moines City manager, told the Citizens Advisory Committee on Wednesday that the city is proposing to reorganize several appointive committees into subcommittees under the Citizens Advisory Committee so those smaller groups can retain their specialties while reducing staff overhead.

Catherine said the change would address two problems the city has encountered: committees that are “very active for two or three months and then nothing for the rest of the year,” and the recent loss of staff who supported multiple committees. “This is just an idea, don't take it as a mandate,” she said, asking the committee for feedback before taking any final steps to the City Council.

The suggestion grew from a March 6 council discussion. Catherine told the committee there are nine appointive committees in total after the council recently authorized a Planning Commission and an Airport Committee; she said the city…

City manager proposes folding appointive committees under Citizens Advisory Committee as subcommittees

Summary

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