Council members press mayor’s office for full application packets as reappointment process draws criticism
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Summary
Council members at the Jan. 12 deliberative meeting complained that applications and resumes for board appointments were not shared before the agenda, and sought a formal reappointment process and access to applicant materials before votes.
Chester — A central point of contention at the Jan. 12 deliberative meeting was how the city handles board appointments and reappointments. Several council members told the mayor’s office they had not received applicant résumés and urged that applications be shared in advance so council can review nominees before voting.
Multiple council members said they were unfamiliar with some names listed for appointment or reappointment and requested bios or résumés. Mayoral staff apologized for the late packet and said they would send applications and background materials that afternoon. “I do apologize to counsel that you haven't already received that packet. I'll this afternoon send you the packet that has the applications and bios or resumes of all the applicants on here,” a staff member said.
Council members objected that the timing excluded their ability to ask questions about nominees or to place alternative names on the agenda. One councilmember suggested tabling R8 — the planning commission appointment involving Leola Williams and applicant Dave Collins — until applications could be reviewed; legal counsel explained that the subject matter of an advertised appointment may have substituted names but that new agenda items cannot be added without 24‑hour public notice.
Staff and the mayor’s office said some boards requested earlier organization meetings, which prompted moving items onto the agenda. The mayor’s office also said it had contacted incumbent members and offered application forms; some incumbents did not respond or declined to reapply, according to staff.
The transcript records the exchange and promises to provide materials; it does not contain recorded roll‑call votes on the appointments during the deliberative session.
Next steps: mayoral staff committed to delivering application packets that afternoon; council members asked that moving forward the established appointment process be followed and that a formal reappointment procedure be finalized.