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Board turnout and voting rules draw scrutiny as COA seeks to balance representation and effectiveness
Summary
Committee questioned COA about board size, attendance and whether ex officio members should vote; COA said the 21-member board often meets with 12'15 people and is using equity coaches and governance work to improve participation and culture.
Councilmembers asked whether COA's 21-member board was too large and whether ex officio seats from the same department create imbalance. COA executive director Kimberly Resnick explained that although the board has 21 seats, "on average, we have between 12 and 15 people who are there when we have meetings" and that scheduling and turnover have driven attendance variability.
Members discussed options including shrinking the board, changing voting privileges for ex officio members, or designating specific positions (e.g., director, designee) rather than departments. Councilmember Lukey and others urged staff to return with consolidated recommendations and to consider statutory modifications only if necessary. COA said governance improvements are underway, including equity coaches and a governance committee and that the board expects to hold elections this fall for executive roles.
The committee did not make changes but instructed staff and COA to refine proposals on board composition, clarify the role of ex officio members, and return with recommended statutory and procedural changes at a follow-up work session.
