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Council approves two appointees to events/Alaris commissions but rejects adding a council member to Alaris board
Summary
Councilors unanimously approved two event/Alaris commission appointees but rejected placing an additional council member, Trisha Berg, on the Alaris Center commission in a 4–3 vote amid debate over bylaws and political stacking.
The Grand Forks City Council approved two appointments to the events/Alaris commission on June 1 but declined to add council member Trisha Berg to the Alaris Center commission after a contentious discussion about bylaws and council involvement.
Mayor Brandon Bochinsky described nominees Landon Ball and Mr. Graf as experienced professionals; the council approved Ball’s appointment unanimously and approved Graf’s appointment 6–1. When the mayor nominated Council member Trisha Berg for an additional seat, several council members objected to placing an elected official on a commission intended for members at large.
Council member Ossowski said she was concerned about "stacking" commissions with elected officials and opposed the nomination. City attorney Mr. Gostad explained the applicable ordinance, saying "The way the ordinance is described, it talks about 6, public at large members," and noted the council can adopt a resolution or change an ordinance if it wishes to alter membership rules. After roll-call voting the nomination failed 4–3 and the mayor said he would seek another appointee.
Council members who favored two council participants said an additional elected representative could improve communication; opponents said they wanted to keep commissions business‑oriented and avoid perceived political influence. The council recorded the vote and moved on to other business.
