Committee recommends two reappointments to Human Services Commission; interviews postponed

At its Sept. 11 meeting, the Community Vitality and Safety Committee voted to recommend the three-year reappointments of Christie Coyne and Nikki Singh to the Human Services Commission and postponed interviews for remaining vacancies until a later date.

The reappointments were approved by voice vote after brief remarks from candidates and commission leadership. A motion to recommend Coyne's reappointment for a term effective Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2028, passed; a separate motion to recommend Singh for the same term also passed. Committee members signified approval by saying "aye." Both motions were recorded as approved.

City Clerk Nicole Emery told the committee members they would interview nine applicants overall and that six positions are available on the Human Services Commission, including one youth seat. "My name is Nicole Emery, your city clerk," she said while outlining the interview format. Christie Coyne, who introduced herself at the meeting, said she has "served on the Human Services Commission for 3 years and currently chair[s] the Commission," and described the commission as "a dedicated group of volunteers that support the funding process for neighborhood and community services."

The committee and staff also agreed to use a small shortlist of applicants who are not immediately appointed as a standing pool for the commission's future work on funding reviews. Vicky McLaurin, interim director for Neighborhood and Community Services, said the department plans to begin a competitive funding process in 2026 and expects to draw on the shortlist to lighten the workload for commissioners reviewing dozens of applications. "In 2026, we will start our competitive process," McLaurin said.

Because most applicants had not yet connected to the meeting, the committee recessed and later decided to postpone the scheduled interviews. Chair Rumba said staff recommended holding the interviews together at a later date; the committee agreed to wait two weeks to reschedule. The committee did not set a firm calendar date at the meeting; staff and the city clerk will notify applicants of the new schedule.

During the meeting a member of the committee shared a brief, non-agenda note: Council Member Walker said she attended a drug court graduation and encouraged members to observe the program when possible. That remark did not affect commission staffing or appointment actions.

The committee's recommendations will go to the full city council for final appointment on the Human Services Commission. The reappointed terms are scheduled to begin Oct. 1, 2025.