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Sustainability board to ask council to allow council‑approved additional terms for members
Summary
After extended discussion about recruitment and continuity, the Environmental Sustainability Board voted to forward recommendations that would let council grant an additional full term to board members at its discretion and to modify interview/rehire processes when vacancies limit applicants.
Board members spent a sizable portion of the Nov. 20 meeting discussing recruitment challenges and potential changes to board and commission term limits. The topic was raised after a B&C (boards and commissions) luncheon sought feedback about whether existing limits hinder recruitment and continuity.
The board reviewed the existing code language that restricts service to two consecutive two‑year terms and then requires a break before reapplying. Members weighed several options, including allowing council discretion to grant additional service, shortening the reapplication gap, creating an "emeritus" or bullpen pool of prior members, or holding recruitment events and outreach to build a candidate pipeline.
Members expressed competing priorities: preserving turnover and fresh perspectives while retaining institutional knowledge and experienced volunteers. As one member put it, providing a path for experienced volunteers to remain available "can capture enthusiasm as you have it" while also keeping recruitment processes open to new applicants.
The board coalesced around a draft recommendation — to ask county council to permit council‑approved extensions so a person could serve an additional full term at council's discretion (effectively allowing a third term when council deems it appropriate), and to permit streamlined written reappointment where there are no competing applicants. The board also recommended continuing active recruitment efforts (open houses, informational materials) and keeping the application process transparent.
A motion to forward the ESB recommendations on board limits and term policies to county council for evaluation and consideration was moved by Joe Chandler and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion was carried. Staff will include the board’s attachment and recommendations when transmitting the referral to council.
Next steps: staff will compile board comments into the draft attachment and submit feedback to council staff (Jackie Salazar) ahead of council review; the ESB expects to review a revised work plan in December and finalize language for council.
