Residents, not city manager, to recommend appointments
JANESVILLE — Residents in the future likely will help the Janesville City Council fill city committees.
A majority of council members on Monday appeared to favor creating an advisory committee of residents to recommend applicants to be seated on committees.
That would be a major change in how the city operates.
In the past, Manager Steve Sheiffer recommended to the council his choices from residents who contacted the city.
Some have said in the past that the process gave the manager too much power.
K. Andreah Briarmoon, a resident who is a vocal critic of city government, often asked that a group of residents screen potential committee members rather than the manager.
The council also asked staff to create application forms for candidates that would include biographical information and the reasons they wish to serve.
The council would be able to review the applications and give the final OK on recommendations.
Councilman Russ Steeber said he liked the idea of a residents’ committee.
“I think that allows citizens to have a little bit more control over things,” he said.
He recommended against having a council member on the committee.
“The committee itself would have a little bit more credence if it’s a stand alone,” he said.
Councilman Yuri Rashkin also spoke in favor of a citizens’ committee.
“There’s no need to interject politics into this process,” Rashkin said. “Let’s keep it as unbiased as possible.”
Bill Truman was enthusiastic about the applications, and he said that the council typically received a name and no other information about the candidates they were expected to approve.
But who appoints the advisory committee? Sheiffer asked.
Council President Amy Loasching suggested that each council member appoint a resident, but Sheiffer said that sounded like an aldermanic form of government, not the city’s council-at-large format.
Loasching then suggested that the council president, vice president and manager appoint that committee.
The manager would continue to appoint members of the police and fire commission, as mandated by state law.
Council members also said they want to discuss committee term limits.
The council must OK changes in some policies and ordinances, which will return to the council.
Jul 30, 2008 at 7:43 a.m.
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While this change is not a bad thing, it shouldn't be overlooked that the previous method worked well for the community.
Jul 29, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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Openness and transparency are all good things in the Wisconsin Progressive tradition, and I'm glad the council is considering this.
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I do think there is value, though, to having a council member on the committee in an ex officio role, perhaps with participation limited to e.g. voting but not opening motions. This would keep communication between the council and the committee at a high level and would reduce the chances of an advisory committee and the council being at odds with one another. But it's up to the council to decide how much they want to delegate and what kind of relationship they want. I think the independence is something that is attractive to them right now because of recent contention and criticism.
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