Keizer staff outlines plan to run criminal background checks for volunteer nominees; committee raises privacy, timing and resource concerns

City staff told the Keizer Volunteer Coordinating Committee on May 8 that the city intends to implement criminal history background checks for volunteer committee nominees and provided details on timing, process and next steps, prompting committee members to raise privacy and logistical concerns.

“Yeah. So, the city's code, indicates that the city manager has the authority to implement a criminal history background process on the volunteers,” Don, a city staff member, told the committee. Don said the city has drafted a policy, will provide candidates with a release form after interview, and expects the checks to be conducted by the police department. He said unsuccessful background checks…