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University Park trustees spar over appointments; mayor pro-tem nomination fails
Summary
Trustees debated restoring appointment authority to the mayor, activation of the education advisory committee, and several liaison and mayor pro-tem appointments; a motion to appoint Trustee Karen Lewis as mayor pro tem failed on a 3–3 vote, while some committee liaison appointments advanced and other items were tabled for workshop review.
The Village of University Park Board of Trustees spent significant time debating appointment authority, committee activation and liaison assignments, culminating in a tied vote on a mayor pro‑tem appointment. Trustees clashed over process, seniority and fairness as residents and trustees urged clearer procedures for committee appointments.
Trustee Jenkins moved to table an ordinance restoring appointment authority to the mayor so the item could be workshopped; the board also debated whether newly proposed appointments should be handled on the consent agenda or considered separately. Trustee Jenkins and others argued a workshop would let trustees and residents provide input, while the mayor and supporters said some items should move forward to ensure programs and events could proceed on schedule.
The board considered a motion to appoint Trustee Karen Lewis as mayor pro tem in the mayor’s absence. The nomination drew an extended exchange about past practice and trust between members; after roll call the motion failed on a three-to-three vote. Later the board approved liaison assignments for several trustees, including a motion confirming Trustee Sonia Jenkins as liaison to the finance committee after roll call.
Other governance items included a motion to authorize the immediate dismissal of outside legislative counsel (Montana and Welsh LLC) that failed for lack of a second and several consent‑agenda items that were tabled for workshop review. Trustees repeatedly asked staff to update application and vetting processes for committees that work with children; background checks and clearer volunteer application routing were discussed as conditions trustees wished to add.
What’s next: Several contested items were tabled for further workshop discussion; staff will circulate proposed changes to committee appointment forms and return with revised materials. The mayor pro‑tem question remains unresolved until a future motion or different nominee is brought forward.
