HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/18/2024 05.A. Council Nominating Committee recommendations regarding appointments to boards, commissions, and committees < `y 1ljlt
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 5.A.
For Meeting of: June 18, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Council Nominating Committee recommendations regarding
appointments to boards, commissions, and committees
SUBMITTED BY: Councilmember Janice Deccio, Committee Chair
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The Council Nominating Committee met on June 6, 2024 and made the following recommendations for
appointments:
• Arts Commission - Dr. Yesenia Navarrete Hunter(working artist) and Jeremy Lucas Castillo
(community member)
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) - Connie Upton (Yakima Convention Center)
• Parks and Recreation Commission - Gib van der Heyden and Paul Cook
• Planning Commission -Arthur Salido and Kevin Rangel
• Tree City Board - Scot Stephens
Additionally, the Council Nominating Committee recommends the following reappointments:
• Henry Beauchamp Community Center Committee - Berenice Ponce
• Historic Preservation Commission - Clayton Bussey
• Parks and Recreation Commission - Robert Young and Mariah Cornejo (youth position)
• Tree City Board - John Tolonen (tree care specialist position)
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
RECOMMENDATION: Approve recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS:
06-06-2024 Minutes_Council Nominating Committee
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COUNCIL NOMINATING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Janice Deccio (Chair), Patricia Byers, and Matt Brown (Reedy Berg, alternate)
City Manager's Conference Room
June 6, 2024
The meeting convened at 3:00 p.m.
Council present: Chair Janice Deccio (via Zoom), Mayor Patricia Byers,
and Reedy Berg (present at 3:20 p.m.)
Staff present: City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra, Trevor Martin, Jennifer Tippett,
Ken Wilkinson, and Eric Crowell
1. New business -the Council Nominating Committee interviewed Clayton Bussey for
the Yakima Planning Commission.
2. Review applications — Committee members reviewed applications and made the
following recommendations:
• Arts Commission
o Dr. Yesenia Navarrete Hunter, working artist—appoint by unanimous consent
o Jeremy Lucas Castillo, community member— appoint by unanimous consent
• Henry Beauchamp Community Center Committee
o Berenice Ponce— reappoint by unanimous consent
• Historic Preservation Commission
o Clayton Bussey— reappoint by unanimous consent
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
o Connie Upton, Yakima Convention Center—appoint by unanimous consent
• Parks and Recreation Commission
o Robert Young — reappoint by unanimous consent
o Mariah Cornejo, youth position — reappoint by unanimous consent
o Gib van der Heyden —appoint by unanimous consent
o Paul Cook— appoint by unanimous consent
• Planning Commission
o MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to recommend Arthur Salido
and Kevin Rangel. Motion carried by unanimous vote (3-0).
• Tree City Board
John Tolonen, tree care specialist - reappoint by unanimous consent
Scot Stephens —appoint by unanimous consent
3. The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
C
Janice eccio, Chair
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Distributed at the -
Meeting
June 18, 2024
Yakima City Council
Via Email
Dear Council Members:
It has been my privilege to serve on the City of Yakima Planning Commission for 7 years.
When nominated for the position I had an education, but limited knowledge of zoning or
planning, let alone what the commission's role was. What I found was a network of
volunteers led by a city council that was very supportive of the various commissions,
planning included. Everyone around me has been fantastic, from all the staff in the
Community Development Department to my peers on the Planning Commission.
Halfway through my term I was honored to be appointed to the position of Committee
Chair. In that role I worked to create an environment that allowed members to speak their
mind and have a voice in Yakima's future. Each committee member has a different
background, but all served with passion for the best future for Yakima. We are a strong
representation of the entire community.
On your agenda today is a recommendation from the Council Nominating Committee for
new members and reappointments. This is an exciting time to fill a vacant seat and join our
volunteer community. Others will be reappointed and continue to serve another term,with
an opportunity to see closure to a process that can be long and arduous.
After reading the recent Nominating Committee's meeting minutes I have some thoughts
and comments. The City Council and Nominating Committee would benefit from the input
of committee chairs, since they are the best resource for how a committee functions, as
well as the skills needed. Some committees are based on a common interest,while others
have regulatory duties that require commitment to detail and subject knowledge. City
council members are assigned to various volunteer committees. In my tenure the Planning
Commission has had poor attendance from the assigned council members. That would
lead me to believe that the council lacks the necessary understanding of each committee's
essential duties, or the ability to select a qualified candidate.
It is especially disappointing to see the Nominating Committee denied reappointment to
some volunteers and I urge the council to reconsider the recommendation. This is an
unusual decision for a volunteer position. Perhaps,the meeting minutes are incomplete
but there is no mention of Lisa Wallace's contribution over the years to the Planning
Commission, her representation as a non-profit leader and small business owner, her track
record for attendance, or her continuing effort to increase green space in Yakima for
families in affordable housing. To deny her re-appointment is to set a new city council
standard that volunteers are not valued and subject to termination at the council's earliest
convenience. Many of the city's committees have difficulty getting or retaining members.
With the recent change in the number of Planning Commission members and
subcommittee representation an experienced board member would be a valuable asset.
I hope this action can be corrected, as losing the chair and vice-chair of the Planning
Commission at the same time is not a good start for a newly organized committee.
My experience was extremely valuable, and I have appreciated the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
L
Jake Liddicoat,AIA