City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 2024 FILLIN "DATE" \* MERGEFORMAT FROM: CITY CLERK’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENT, REDESIGNATION AND RESIGNATION ISSUES:
Appoint Dominique C. Acuna to the Board of Library Trustees Ward 1 seat, redesignate Jessica Newman from Board of Ethics Ward 7 to Citywide seat, and file resignation of Ezekiel Swayzer from the Budget Engagement Commission Citywide Business seat.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Mayor and City Council:
Appoint Dominique C. Acuna to the Board of Library Trustees Ward 1 seat for a term through March 1, 2027; Redesignate Jessica Newman from the Ward 7 seat terming out March 1, 2024 for first term, to the Citywide seat for a term through March 1, 2027, on the Board of Ethics; and File the resignation of Ezekiel Swayzer from the Budget Engagement Commission Ward 6 seat; and Citywide Business seat, effective immediately.
BACKGROUND:
Riverside City Charter Section 802 provides that each board and commission have one representative from each Council Ward.
Pursuant to Resolution 23976, Section XIV (B), Councilmember Edwards recommends that the City Council appoint Dominique C. Acuna to the Board of Library Trustees Ward 1 seat for a term through March 1, 2027.
On February 1, 2024, Board of Ethics Member Jessica Newman notified the City Clerk’s Office that she moved from Ward 7 to Ward 3 making her ineligible to serve as the Ward 7 seat member. Member Newman has served on the Board of Ethics one full term from March 2020 through March 2024. Pursuant to Resolution 23976, Section XIV (B), Mayor Lock Dawson recommends that the City Council appoint Jessica Newman to the Board of Ethics Citywide seat for a term through March 1, 2027.
On February 8, 2024, the City Clerk’s Office received a resignation from Ezekiel Swayzer. Mr. Swayzer held the Citywide Business seat on the Budget Engagement Commission. His term expires on March 1, 2024.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The Mayor and City Council process for filing a board/commission member vacancy contributes to the City Council’s Envision 2025 Strategic Plan Priority and Goal:
High Performing Government - Provide world-class public service that is efficient, accessible, and responsive to all, and the following goal:
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
The board/commission resignation and appointment process for filling a vacancy aligns with the 5 Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
1. Community Trust and 2. Equity - Riverside is transparent in providing timely notification when vacancies occur to provide opportunities for residents interested in community engagement and involvement on the City Boards and Commissions.
3. Fiscal Responsibility - Riverside is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources. The City Clerk’s Office annual budget includes funding to support and maintain Board and Commission operations administration.
4. Innovation - Board and Commission appointments allow new members to bring innovative ideas to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future through collaborative partnerships and adaptive processes.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency - Riverside is committed to meeting the present needs without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City’s capacity to preserve, adapt and grow during fluctuating times are met. The City is prepared to fill vacancies due to unforeseen resignations by keeping an active pool of applicants.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Recruitment and appointment costs are included annually in the City Clerk’s budget.
Prepared by: Donesia Gause, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
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