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Commission backs concept to publish board and commission applicant pools; counsel to draft rules and timing
Summary
The commission agreed in principle to a proposal requiring public reporting of applicants for boards and commissions and to publish applicant information when the mayor formally nominates a candidate; counsel will draft specific language and timing rules, including reasonable notice for council consideration.
The Charter Vision Commission approved, in concept, a proposal to increase transparency around mayoral appointments to boards and commissions. Under the concept commissioners supported, the mayor’s office would maintain a public applicant pool and periodically publish who applied for which openings; when the mayor formally nominates an applicant the nominee’s basic application details would be disclosed unless the applicant specifically requested confidentiality.
Commission counsel said he will draft the specific wording to preserve confidentiality where appropriate, establish a publication cadence (the council discussed 14 days as a reasonable advance notice when practicable) and create limited exceptions for urgent appointments. Commissioners asked that the council retain the ability to adopt rules to expedite consideration in special circumstances. The commission unanimously approved the concept subject to counsel’s drafting for review at the next meeting.
Decision vs. discussion: the commission’s decision was conceptual approval of greater transparency; specific text for where in the charter and the timing of disclosure will be drafted by counsel and returned to the commission for final approval.
Ending: Counsel will circulate draft language implementing a public applicant pool and notice rules; the commission will review the draft before forwarding final recommendations to the Common Council.
