Committee/Boards/Commissions

The Official Unofficial Minutes
WL BOA
2 June

Appointments by Organization, they were discussed and voted on by organization.

• Board of Zoning Adjustment- Linda Winter moved up from alternate. Linda Eckerle, nominated by Mary Hoy, is added.
• Park Board- Lisa Moratz reappointed, Heather Shafe'.
• Planning- Jerry Hannah reappointed, Mike Henderson added to fill term expiring in 2011.
• Historical- Glenda Negrilli, Karen Skinner (2010) added. The discussion was a bit muddled so I can't tell if Bob Pease had a reappointment or not, he is on the Committee. Jerry mentioned his nomination of Cathy Bossert, wife of alderman Ed Bossert. Alderman Finn asked City attorney Scott if there were any issues of Ed voting on a his wife's nomination. Scott felt there weren't any problems because she would be an unpaid volunteer. Jerry deferred the nomination until next BOA for further inquiry. (Interesting because when I was an alderman my wife's term for Park Board was up for reappointment. The issue was vetted prior to discussion with City Attorney, she was nominated and approved.)
• Plans Review- Jim O'Laughlin reappointed
• Code Enforcement- No appointments, George and Burt are active members. Apparently Gene Brown had decidec not to seek reappointment. During the discussion Jerry mentioned they were going to focus on "empty houses".
• Jerry mentioned the Liason roles he had assigned to the Aldermen upon taking office was a "dumb idea on my part". He encourages aldermen to attend the various committes/boards/commissions.
• There are no terms assigned for Audit or Airport Noise (Info) committees.
• Speaking of Audit, Jerry mentioned he has not found a firm to do the 2008 audit for the City. "I've asked many firms...they are not doing municipal audits" Jerry said the liability issues in doing municipal audits is an issue. Rather odd, there were no shortage of firms in the past who were willing to do the audit. Some had fees that were over the top, but firms were found. Interesting coming from the campaign (Bos) who fed the rumors/innuendos about financial problems in the City is now foot dragging on doing the audit of the first year of his administration. Go figure.
• Vic brought discussion regarding reappointment's. He feels the Mayor is in the best position to make recommendations. He feels there should be not automatic appointments. He wants the chairs of the various committees/boards/commissions to elect chairs/presidents after new members are seated. Vic made a motion (motion carried) for a letter to be sent by the Mayor to the committees/boards/commissions to this effect. During the discussion of the motion Jerry said he believed in term limits, including the Mayor. For a City that can't even get someone to run for alderman (East side) that is pretty funny. It isn't like we have an unending supply of volunteers. Marvin Springer just finished a 17 year run on the Park Board (thanks, Marvin). Term limits? To me, the best form of term limits is an informed electorate/Mayor/BOA...now that is a challenge here at WL that has no limits.