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Arts commission moved under economic development; members discuss bylaws, officer roles and attendance rules
Summary
At a Manchester Arts Commission meeting, Jody Nuzaka, the city's director of economic development, outlined an ordinance change moving the commission under Economic Development, reviewed new membership and officer roles, and members discussed creating bylaws and a process for handling absentee members.
At a Manchester Arts Commission meeting, Jody Nuzaka, director of economic development for the City of Manchester, said the board of mayor and aldermen voted earlier this year to place the commission under the Economic Development Office, and the office will provide more regular staff presence.
The move follows an ordinance update that, Nuzaka said, changes the commission's composition to seven full members, two alternates and three ex officio seats "for the economic development director or their designee, the director of fine arts from the Manchester School District, and" a third ex officio seat the commission will confirm later. She added the office expects to have a new staff hire in April who will act as an ex officio member.
Commissioners said the ordinance sets the legal framework but lacks operational detail. Nuzaka recommended creating bylaws to spell out quorum and meeting procedures, and to formalize roles including a required vice chair and an optional treasurer. "The vice chair will . . . run the meetings, help you with agenda setting," she said. The treasurer role was described as a practical measure for tracking the commission's funds; Nuzaka said finance staff can assist but recommended a board member retain responsibility for financial updates.
Members raised attendance and appointment problems. Several commissioners noted that two regular members, identified in discussion as Michael and Randall, have missed multiple meetings. Commissioners said the usual remedy is to request a formal resignation; Nuzaka said she will ask the city clerk to confirm the process for handling nonresponsive appointees and will collect contact information and confirm term dates for the roster.
The commission discussed using bylaws to set voting procedures, quorum thresholds and a clearer application process for funding requests. Nuzaka said the Economic Development Office will act as a liaison and help with administrative and permitting questions, but that the office is small and cannot run events for the commission.
The meeting concluded with procedural business and a motion to adjourn that was seconded and carried.
