HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 - Consolidation of Commissions
Page 1 of 4
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE: July 17, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Consolidation of Human Services Commission and Parks and Community
Services Commission
Prepared by: Linda Smith, Assistant City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider a consolidation of two commissions, Parks and
Community Services and Human Services, as was discussed at its February 3, 2018
Strategic Planning meeting. As part of that action, the City Council will consider
increasing the consolidated Commission to an eight -member body and change one of
the 2020 terms to two years, or convert any vacated term prior to 2020 to two years,
whichever comes first. The consolidation wo uld be effective beginning in December
2018.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution Approving the Consolidation of the Human Services Commission
and its activities into the Parks and Community Services Commission, Amending and
Restating the Parks and Community Services Commission Bylaws; and Approving a
Two-Year Term for One Commissioner Appointed to the 2020 seat.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The consolidation will result in savings for three monthly stipends and related training
costs for Commissioners.
DESCRIPTION:
On February 3, 2018, the City Council held its bi-annual Strategic Planning meeting to
discuss several items, including updates the City’s Mission, Vision and Values,
prioritization of future parks capital projects, revisions to its two -year Strategic Plan, and
a review of work by three commissions. The City Council approved updates to its
Vision, prioritized its parks projects over the next five years, adopted updates to its
Strategic Plan and asked Staff to bring back a consolidation plan fo r the Human
Services Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission.
Page 2 of 4
As part of its presentation, Staff outlined the meeting history for Parks and Community
Services and the Human Services Commission from March 2015 to December 2017,
including the number of cancellations and the number of agenda items that resulted in
recommendations to the City Council.
Table 1 - March 2015-December 2017
Recommendations
to the City Council
Other Total Staff Reports/Items
(excluding minutes)
Percent with City
Council
Recommendation
Cancelled
Meetings
Parks and
Community
Services
Commission
12 38 50 24% 11 of 39
Human Services
Commission
3 34 37 8% 6 of 18
As the table shows, most of the work in support of the two commissions does not result
in recommendations to the City Council. This is particularly the case of the Human
Services Commission as their primary purpose is to recommend grant funding for
community grants and Community Development Block Grants once a year.
To ensure that commissions are meaningful and an effective use of the community
members’ time, and to gain some efficiencies in the use of City staff assigned (meeting
planning, staff report writing, agenda creation and posting, as well as meeting
attendance, follow up and minutes), it is recommended that the activities of the Human
Services Commission be transferred into the roles and responsibilities of the Parks and
Community Services Commission.
It is further recommended that the City Council change the Parks and Community
Services Commission from a six-member body to an eight-member body. The even
numbered structure is inclusive of the Student Representative, which is seated annually
each July. This proposed membership structure would enable a seamless transition to
a singular body without any member of either Commission losing its current seat plus
allows the City Council to appoint two seats at the end of the 2018 term.
Because the role of the new Parks and Community Services Commission will include
the recommendation of grant funding for community grants and Community
Development Block Grants, the bylaws will be amended to clarify that although the
Student Representative is a full commissioner for purposes of a quorum, they are not
permitted to vote on grant funding. They are, however allowed and encouraged to
express their views on said topic and to vote on all other items before the Commission.
Currently, the Human Services Commission has five seats and two seats have terms
ending in December 2018 with three ending in December 2020. The Parks and
Community Services Commission has six seats, five of which are for the community at
large. Three seats have terms ending in December 2018 with two ending in December
2020. The following table shows how those seats would be transfe rred.
Page 3 of 4
Table 2 - Current and Proposed Seats/Terms
Current
PCS Commission Human Services Commission
Seats Expiring in 2018 3 2
Seats Expiring in 2020 2 3
Total Seats 5 5
Proposed
PCS Commission
Combined Seats -
Carrying over Seats
Expiring in 2020
5
New Seats for
Appointment until 2022
2
Student Rep (Existing) 1
Total Seats 8
Timing of Vacancies
With a seven-member body, there would typically be four vacancies and then two years
later, three vacancies. With the proposed consolidation, there would be five vacancies
in 2020 and two in 2022. To remedy this, Staff proposes the City Council establish one
of the five vacancies in 2020 as a two-year term and converting back to a four-year term
on 2022. Further, Staff recommends that the Cit y Council establish a policy that first
vacancy of a commission seat with a 2020 term be automatically changed to a two -year
term.
To summarize, Staff recommends the following actions:
1. Consolidate the Human Services Commission and its activities into the Parks
and Community Services Commission and establish an eight -member body;
2. Amend and Restate the Parks and Community Services Commission Bylaws,
effective December 2018;
3. Establish one of the 2020 terms as a two-year seat, ending in 2022, then back to
a four-term year term after 2022. And/or establish a policy that the first of any of
the 2020 terms are vacated prior to the end of the term, that it be automatically
changed to a two-year term ending in 2022 and then back to a four-year term.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
A copy of this Staff Report has been provided to the members of the Human Services
and Parks and Community Services Commission.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Approving the Consolidation of the Human Services Commis sion and the
Parks and Community Services Commission and related actions
2. Exhibit A to the Resolution - Amended Bylaws for the Parks and Community
Services Commission
Page 4 of 4
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO. xx - 18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
* * * * * * * * *
APPROVING THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION AND ITS
ACTIVITIES INTO THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION; AMENDING AND
RESTATING THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION BYLAWS; AND
APPROVING A TWO-YEAR TERM FOR ONE COMMISSIONER APPOINTED TO THE 2020 SEAT
(UNTIL 2022) AT WHICH TIME TERMS WILL REVERT TO A FOUR-YEARS
WHEREAS, on February 3, 2018, the City Council held its bi-annual Strategic Planning meeting
to discuss several items, including a review of the activities of three commissions, including the Human
Services Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission; and
WHEREAS, Staff included a meeting history from March 2015-December 2017, including
the number of cancellations and the number of agenda items that resulted in recommendations to the
City Council; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that commissions are meaningful and an effective use of the community
members’ time, and to gain some efficiencies in the use of City staff, it was recommended that the
activities of the Human Services Commission be consolidated into the roles and responsibilities of the
Parks and Community Services Commission.
WHEREAS, at that meeting of February 3, 2018, the City Council requested that Staff bring back
a consolidation plan for the Human Services Commission and the Parks and Community Services
Commission; and
WHEREAS, Staff has prepared the consolidation plan, including a recommendation to change
the Parks and Community Services Commission from a six-member body to an eight-member body.
The even numbered structure is inclusive of the Student Representative, which is sea ted annually each
July; and
WHEREAS, the consolidation of these commissions requires the City to amend and restate the
Parks and Community Services Commission bylaws to account for the roles and responsibilities of the
Human Services Commission; and
WHEREAS, in order to balance the appointment process for Parks and Community Services
Commission, Staff recommended that the City Council establish one of the five vacancies in 2020 as a
two-year term and converting back to a four-year term on 2022.
WHEREAS, Staff also recommended that the City Council establish a policy that first vacancy
of a commission seat with a 2020 term be automatically changed to a two -year term.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin approves the
consolidation of the Human Services Commission and its activities into the Parks and Community
Services Commission, effective December 2018.
ATTACHMENT 1
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council amends and restates the Parks and
Community Services Commission Bylaws, effective December 2018, as attached as Exhibit A to this
Resolution and revokes the Human Services Commission bylaws effective December 2018.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council approves a two-year term for one
Commissioner appointed to the 2020 seat (until 2022) at which time terms will revert to a four-year
term, unless vacated prior to 2020, at which point the City Council will automatically change that term
to two years.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of July 2018, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
City Clerk
2962242.1
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure Page 1 of 4
Parks and Community Services Commission Effective December 2018
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. These Rules of Procedure shall be known as the Bylaws and Rules of
Procedure of the Parks and Community Services Commission of the City of Dublin. A copy of
these Rules and amendments thereto, shall be filed in the offices of the City Clerk for
examination by the public.
Section 2. These Rules and any amendments hereto shall be effective on the date
of the adoption hereof and shall govern the meetings and activities of the Commission.
ARTICLE II
COMMISSION COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF APPOINTMENT
Section 1. The Parks and Community Services Commission shall be composed of
six eight (6 8) members, one of whom is a high school student residing in the City of Dublin.
The high school student member is not permitted to vote on grant funding as described in
Article VII, Section 1(e). They are, however, counted as a member of the quorum and are
permitted to participate in discussions on all topics, inclusive of grant funding.
Section 2. The Mayor shall make all appointments to the Commission, with the
approval of the City Council.
Section 3. Commission members may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the Mayor and City Clerk.
ARTICLE III
TERM OF OFFICE AND REMOVAL
Section 1. Commission members shall be appointed for terms which run four (4)
years beginning in December of even numbered election years and ending in December of an
even numbered election year. At the end of a Commissioner member’s term, the Commission
member may be reappointed to the Commission in the same manner as the initial appointment.
Commission members shall be eligible to serve a maximum of eight (8) years with two (2) 4-
year terms.
Section 2. The term of the student member shall be for one (1) year, commencing
July 1st and terminating on the following June 30th.
Section 3. Any member of the Commission may be removed from the office with the
approval of a majority of the City Council. Removal and appointment of Commissioners shall
be made only at a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council.
Section 4. Commission members should endeavor to attend all regular and special
meetings of the Commission. The Secretary to the Commission shall provide the Mayor with
quarterly attendance reports by Commissioners. After the third absence from a regularly
CITY OF DUBLIN
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
BYLAWS AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure Page 2 of 4
Parks and Community Services Commission Effective December 2018
scheduled Commission meeting within any twelve (12) month period, said Commission
member’s office shall be automatically declared vacant.
Section 5. If a Commissioner member ceases to reside in the City of Dublin, said
Commissioner’s office shall be automatically declared vacant.
ARTICLE IV
VACANCIES
Section 1. Vacancies on the Commission occurring other than by expiration of term
shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original
appointment.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Election and Term of Office. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson
at the first meeting in January of each year, or if a quorum is not present, at the next meeting at
which a quorum is present. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall serve until their
successors are elected, or until their terms as members of the Commission expire, whichever is
first. The Commission shall, unless no Commissioners meet criteria, elect Commissioners to
the positions that have not previously served in the position and have not declined the
appointment, with the intent that no one should serve in the position for no more than two
consecutive years.
Section 2. The Secretary to the Commission will be the City Manager or his/her
designee.
Section 3. Vacancies. In case of any vacancy in the Office of the Chairperson or
Vice Chairperson, the vacancy shall be filled by an election held at the first regular meeting
after the occurrence of such vacancy. The person so elected shall serve the balance of the
term.
Section 4. Duties of Officers. The Chairperson performs the following duties:
(a) Presides at all meeting of the Commission.
(b) Appoints committee and chairpersons of committees as necessary.
(c) Signs correspondence on behalf of the Commission.
(d) Represents the Commission before the City Council.
(e) Performs other duties necessary or customary to the office.
In the event of the absence of the Chairperson or his/her ability to act, the Vice Chairperson
presides in the place of the Chairperson. In the event of the absence of or the inability to act of
both the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, the remaining members shall elect one of their
members to act as temporary Chairperson.
Section 5. The Committees. The Commission or Chairperson, upon direction of the
Commission, may appoint several of its members, but fewer than a quorum, to serve as a
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure Page 3 of 4
Parks and Community Services Commission Effective December 2018
Committee. On certain occasions, such as when a particular kind of expert ise or public
representation is desirable, the Commissions may appoint non-members to the Committee.
Committees make recommendations directly to the Commission.
A Committee may not represent the Commission before the Council or other bodies unless it
has first received the authorization of the Commission to do so.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 1. The Commission shall hold at regular meetings at least once per month
at a designated time and place, which shall be fixed and determined by the Commission and
entered upon its minutes. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public. Special
meetings of the Commission may be called by a majority of the members thereof, or by the
Chairperson thereof. Notice of any such special meeting shall be given as required by law.
Section 2. A majority of the voting members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of transacting business. The secretary shall keep minutes of all regular
and special meetings of the Commission, and these shall be sent to all members and
administrative officers in advance of the meeting in which they are to be approved.
Section 3. Commissioners shall attend all regular and special Commission meetings
in person. Commissioners will not be permitted to use teleconference as an option to attend
any Commission meetings.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION
Section 1. The Commission shall consider and make recommendations as it deems
necessary to the City Council and to City Staff in all matters pertaining to the operation and
maintenance of an effective, efficient, and adequate program of parks, recreation and
community services for the citizens of Dublin. Additionally, the Commission shall consider and
make recommendations as it deems necessary to the City Council and to City Staff in all
matters pertaining to human service needs in the Tri-Valley.
Such recommendations would include, but are not limited to the following:
(a) recommendations for the development, improvement and/or modification
of recreation of community services and facilities;
(b) future recreation and community service needs;
(c) conduct of persons using park and recreation facilities by the public;
(d) annual review of the Parks and Community Services Strategic Plan;
(e) funding for the Community Grants Program and the Community
Development Block Grant Program; and
(f) Tri-Valley Needs Assessment.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure Page 4 of 4
Parks and Community Services Commission Effective December 2018
Section 2. The Commission shall also accept and consider recommendations from
the Senior Center Advisory Committee and the Youth Advisory Committee, and forward the
recommendations to the City Council, as appropriate.
ARTICLE VIII
DUTIES OF COMMISSION TO BE ADVISORY ONLY
Section 1. It is intended that the Commission shall be an advisory body to the City
Council. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a limitation on the power of the City
Council or the Administrative Staff of the City or any other agency in their supervision, or
authority over property or personnel which are under their respective jurisdiction. Each
Commissioner is expected to serve the City and the residents of the City of Dublin with
professionalism and respect.
ARTICLE IX
STAFF ASSISTANCE
Section 1. The City Manager shall provide the Commission with such information
and Staff assistance as the Commission may, from time to time request, subject to the
limitations imposed by the City Council.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These Bylaws and Rules of Procedure may be amended in the same
manner as originally adopted.
2579990.2
2808791.1