Loveland council adopts interim updates to boards and commissions handbook, asks staff to clarify conflicts

The Loveland City Council adopted Resolution R-6-2025 on an interim basis Thursday, approving updated language intended to clarify the interview committee process for filling boards and commissions while scheduling a more comprehensive review for a future retreat. The vote passed 7-1.

The resolution, introduced by Councilor Samson, updates who may serve on interview committees and instructs the city manager, in consultation with the city attorney, to prescribe an alternative process when multiple conflicts exist among chairs, vice chairs and council liaisons. "These once again these are your boards and commissions and you're entitled as a body to appoint them how you see fit," City Attorney Vince Jungless said as he summarized the proposed language.

Assistant City Clerk Lindsay Cochran told council the change is intended to be an immediate, narrow fix to allow staff to complete the next recruitment window (April 1–May 1) without disrupting longer-term work. "This change that we're bringing forward tonight is really just to give staff the ability to get through those recruitment windows and get through it effectively," Cochran said.

Councilors debated whether the city should hire an outside consultant, assign staff to lead an in-depth rewrite, or pause the project. City Manager Jim Thompson said he would lean toward a staff-led process given budget constraints and proposed a half-day retreat after the upcoming election to walk through a full set of changes. "We might be able to condense it down a bit," Thompson said, recommending further discussion at an April retreat.

Several councilors pressed for more precision in the handbook's conflict language. "I think abundantly clear is always, you know, beneficial to everyone," Councilor Samson said, urging specific examples of what constitutes a conflict. Councilor Black and others also urged incorporating volunteer input from current board chairs on orientation, training and the selection process.

The adopted update codifies that, for example, when the chairperson has a conflict the vice chair will participate in interviews and that where multiple conflicts occur the city manager and city attorney will propose a process for council consideration. The council asked staff to return with a clearer, written definition of conflict and related procedural language at the next iteration.

Councilors also discussed interview rubrics and transparency. Bob Massaro, a caller, urged a standardized scoring rubric so applicants understand why they were or were not selected; some councilors supported developing a rubric, while others cautioned that staff should have a scripted approach for communications to avoid legal risks.

The council approved the handbook update by roll call vote 7 yes, 1 no (Councilor Olson voted no). City Attorney Jungless told council he could draft clearer conflict language for the next meeting rather than rushing to amend the current motion on the spot.

After the vote, the council recessed into executive session to discuss two pending lawsuits and then reconvened and adjourned without taking further action.

The handbook adoption provides an interim framework for interviews and appointments; staff will return with tightened conflict definitions and a plan for a broader, more thorough review that may include consultant support, volunteer engagement and a retreat-based review.