DATE:
November 7, 2023
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
April Richardson, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Community Advisory Committees Appointments
Recommendation
Staff has no recommendation. Appointments to Community Advisory Committees are made at the City Council’s discretion. A separate Resolution will be approved for each set of Committee appointments.
Background
The City Council appoints community members to serve on the City’s various Community Advisory Committees (“Committees”). Committees are an opportunity for community members to have input on specific programs and initiatives of the City. All Committee meetings are publicly noticed, and the public is encouraged to attend. Actions taken by Committees are forwarded to the full City Council for consideration and possible action, with the exception of the Planning Commission and Housing Advisory and Appeals Board, which have some independent authority, with some of their decisions subject to City Council review or appeal.
The Committees consist of a wide range of community members representing specific demographics. Below are definitions of the various existing committee positions. It is not uncommon to receive an application from a candidate that fulfills the qualifications for multiple committee positions. When that occurs, the applicants are listed in all relevant categories for consideration per Committee.
Business Representative
Person representing a business in Emeryville of any size.
City Labor Representative
Person representing a labor union with members represented in Emeryville.
Community Member
Person residing or working in Emeryville.
Large Business Representative
Person representing a business in Emeryville with over 56 employees.
Non-Profit Workforce Development Organization Representative Person representing a local non-profit workforce development organization.
Resident
Person residing in Emeryville.
Resident (94608)
Person residing within the Emeryville-Oakland 94608 zip code.
Small Business Representative
Person representing a business in Emeryville with 55 or fewer employees.
Discussion
On July 5, 2023, the City Council made annual appointments to the City’s various Committees; however, there were vacancies that were not filled on several of these Committees. Subsequently, the City Clerk’s Office received several notices of resignations from various members. The City Clerk’s Office opened a new recruitment on September 1, 2023, with an application deadline of October 16, 2023. The Public Notice of Vacancies was later amended on October 10, 2023, to include more resignations.
Notice of the vacancies was posted on the City’s three bulletin boards. In addition, the City Clerk’s Office included noticing of the vacancies on the City’s website, social media sites, ETV Cable Channel 27, and made announcements at City Council meetings. Committee secretaries were also encouraged to distribute the Notice of Vacancies to their committee members and members of the public, and to include the recruitment on their meeting agendas. Staff reached out to all qualified active applicants to ask if they would still like to be considered for appointment.
The City Clerk’s Office received several applications for the various vacancies from interested community members. Staff has also encouraged applicants to attend the November 7, 2023, special City Council meeting where they will be able to introduce themselves and answer any questions the City Council might have. Information on how to attend the meeting will be provided to all applicants.
If there are positions not filled at the November 7, 2023 special City Council meeting, staff recommends opening another recruitment in February 2024. The next annual recruitment occurs in June or July 2024.
A comprehensive listing of all vacancies and qualified applicants are attached to the staff report as Attachment A.
Budget Advisory Committee
The Budget Advisory Committee consists of up to five (5) total members. The Committee’s purpose is to provide input and recommendations regarding City policies, priorities and feedback related to the City’s budget. This Committee has one Business Representative and one City Labor Representative position currently open.
Commission on Aging
The Commission on Aging consists of up to seven (7) total members. The Committee’s purpose is to provide input and recommendations regarding City policies, priorities and feedback related to the health and wellness of seniors in the community. This Committee has one Resident, and one Resident (94608), position currently open.
Housing Committee
The Housing Committee consists of up to nine (9) total members. The Committee’s purpose is to provide input and recommendation regarding City policies, priorities, and feedback related to the City’s housing policies and programs. This Committee has one Community Member position currently open.
Public Art Committee
The Public Art Committee consists of up to nine (9) total members. The Committee’s purpose is to provide input and recommendations regarding City policies, priorities, and feedback related to the City’s Percent for Art Ordinance, and related matters. Pursuant to Emeryville Municipal Code Section 2-3.403, the “Public Art Committee membership shall be determined by resolution of the City Council”. In addition, pursuant to Emeryville Municipal Code Section 2-3.404, “the terms of the Public Art Committee shall be staggered and for a period of two years, commencing July 1 of the year of appointment; except that the City Council shall appoint two of the initial members to the expanded nine-member Committee to three-year terms”. This Committee has three Business Representative or Resident positions currently open.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact.
Staff Communication with the Public
Staff has not had any communication with the public regarding these appointments, other than confirmation of received applications and advising applicants regarding the Advisory Body appointment process.
PREPARED BY: Lorrayne Leong, Deputy City Clerk
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Attachments
Attachment A – Committees Applicant Listing
Attachment B – Committees Applications
Community Advisory Committees Appointments
City Council Meeting | November 7, 2023
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM