REP FC 042 2015/12/01 (2014-2016)

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FC-42 Page 2 December 1, 2015 Finance Chair Karen Eoff agreed with increasing the number of board members but disagreed with the selection of names by council members because it can undermine the checks and balances built into the boards and commissions section of the charter. A motion was made to postpone this bill to the November 17, 2015, Finance Committee, and passed, with seven ayes. On November 17, 2015, Council Member Wille moved to amend Bill 101 with the contents of Communication 494.4. This amendment, transmitted via Communication No. 494.9, dated November 23, 2015, would: 1) increase membership from five to nine members; 2) decrease member's term from five to four years; 3) add council district residency requirements; and 4) allow each council member to nominate two persons from his or her council district to serve on the board, from which one would be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The vote was taken on the motion to amend, and passed, with six ayes to draft two. Council Members Aaron Chung, Dennis Onishi and Greggor Ilagan were absent and excused for this meeting. Several council members shared concerns regarding the requirement that each council member submit names of two nominees to the mayor's office for the appointment of one board member, subject to council confirmation. Ms. Wille moved to postpone this bill as amended to draft two, to the December 1, 2015, meeting of the Finance Committee. The vote was taken on this motion, and passed, with six ayes. On December 1, 2015, Council Member Wille commented that this bill expands the selection of board members from one person (the Mayor,) to ten people, (nine council members and the Mayor.) Ms. Wille moved to amend this bill with the contents of Communication 494.11, and explained that this floor amendment addresses concerns from the public and other council members. Council Member Dennis Onishi was absent and excused from this meeting. Chair Karen Eoff relinquished the chair to Council Member Valerie Poindexter. Ms. Eoff expressed her agreement with having a board member from each council district because it would then require five members for a quorum. She also stated that amending the charter is a serious undertaking that goes before the voters. Ms. Eoff explained that we do not legislate in the charter, that it is the foundation of our government, and that she does not see the problem in the current appointment process. She further said that council members should encourage people to submit applications for boards and commissions, and there is currently a process for checks and balances. Corporation Counsel Molly Stebbins came forward and explained that the appointment of officers to the executive branch, is the traditional function of the chief executive, and the appointment process is based on the separation of powers. Ms. Stebbins further stated that the