Council tables several commission nominations amid process concerns; motion to carry over nominations passes

Nominations and appointments to city boards and commissions drew extended discussion at the Jan. 7 council meeting, and the council voted to carry unfinished business and table nominations to allow broader outreach.

Clerk’s office staff read a set of pending appointments including a Tree Board nomination and several positions on the Social Status of African American Males Commission. Council members discussed whether to vote immediately or allow additional time for applicants to resubmit expired forms; several council members and the city attorney cited ordinance procedures and recommended broader notice before final appointments.

After discussion the council voted to table unfinished business and carry those nominations to the next council meeting. The roll call recorded the motion to table and carry over as passing with nine in favor and none opposed.

Later in the discussion the council considered two appointments to the Revolving Loan Fund committee. Councilman Don Przybylinski advocated for immediate appointment of Sherry Wilson, who had submitted an application; other members sought to give additional time for incumbents or other applicants to file. A motion to table the nominations for the Revolving Loan Fund until the next meeting passed on a roll call recorded as 8 in favor and 1 opposed.

City Attorney Snow and council members noted that the code contains a schedule and deadlines for boards and commissions and that the mayor’s office planned a citywide notice urging applicants to resubmit forms. The mayor said a press release would go out before the next meeting to notify potential applicants.