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Water and Sewer Board tables discussion of chair/vice-chair term recommendations
Summary
Board members debated a proposed recommendation that future boards confirm chair and vice-chair roles every two years; after debate the board voted to table the discussion until council provides further direction.
The Water and Sewer Board discussed a proposed recommendation about chair and vice-chair terms and voted to table the item until the City Council completes broader discussions about board leadership terms.
Chair Moore introduced a motion recommending that future boards confirm chair and vice-chair decisions generally every two years after seating of new members, without imposing specific term limits. The proposal was offered as a recommendation rather than an ordinance or bylaw and prompted objections from some board members who preferred a requirement or bylaws to ensure periodic leadership rotation.
John (Board member) spoke in favor of no term limits for the leadership role, citing institutional continuity. Other members expressed concern that a lack of term limits could concentrate power and that flexibility should rest with the board and potentially be codified in bylaws or municipal code if desired. Council members and staff present noted that City Council was also discussing a city-wide approach to board leadership lengths and that some boards are recommended to have two-year leadership terms; council indicated the Water and Sewer Board's charter status could affect whether a uniform rule would apply.
Following discussion, a motion to table further discussion until council provides additional guidance was moved and seconded and the board voted to table the recommendation. The board will revisit the issue after council clarifies whether it will adopt a citywide ordinance or leave boards to set their own bylaws.
