title
ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPOINTING GARRETT DANIELLS, RANIA GEORGIES, JOSEPH MARGOLIES AND ANNE WILCOX TO THE STOCKTON ARTS COMMISSION, SETTING NEW COMMISSIONER TERMS TO CREATE STAGGERED VACANCIES AND REAFFIRMING THE PROCESS BY WHICH COMMISSIONERS ARE SELECTED
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Appoint Garrett Daniells, Rania Georgies, Joseph Margolies and Anne Wilcox to the Stockton Arts Commission for a three-year term to commence immediately upon approval and ending December 31, 2020;
2. Set new Commissioner terms to create staggered vacancies;
3. Reaffirm the process by which the Stockton Arts Commission assists the Mayor in his or her appointment of new commissioners by interviewing and recommending qualified applicants for approval by the City Council; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to take whatever actions are appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
body
Summary
The Stockton Arts Commission (SAC) membership is defined by Stockton Municipal Code section 2.94.040 as a 15-member board appointed by the Mayor with approval of the City Council for a term of four years. There were a total of four vacancies on the SAC as of December 31, 2017. Two vacancies were anticipated due to the expiration of member terms (Gary Putnam and David Harrington), and two were due to Commissioner resignations (Joel Reyna and Ramsey Abboushi). A nominating committee of Arts Commissioners met on November 27, 2017, to interview prospective Commissioners to fill the vacancies. On December 4, 2017, and February 5, 2018, the nominating committee presented recommendations to the SAC to fill the vacancies. The commission voted unanimously to recommend the appointment of Garrett Daniells, Rania Georgies, Joseph Margolies, and Anne Wilcox. To further stagger positions on the SAC, staff is recommending setting the initial term for these four appointments to three years, to expire on December 31, 2020. Subsequent terms will be four years to preserve a pattern of staggered vacancies. Furthermore, staff recommends confirming in writing the existing process whereby SAC interviews recommends new commissioners to the Mayor and City Council.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Stockton Arts Commission is comprised of 15 members. There are currently four vacancies. Two vacancies were expected due to the expiration of member terms on December 31, 2017 (Gary Putnam and David Harrington). During 2017 two additional vacancies occurred when Commissioners resigned due to moving outside of the City limits (Joel Reyna and Ramsey Abboushi). In anticipation of the expected vacancies and in accordance with Council Policy, Title 3 chapter 3.02, the City Clerk initiated a recruitment process. The recruitment for new Commissioners was advertised from January 27, 2017, through February 10, 2017. The vacancy announcement was posted on the City’s Boards and Commissions web page, and print copies were posted on the City’s public posting boards.The City Clerk’s office also accepted applications continuously throughout the year. At the conclusion of the recruitment period, six applications were received.
As has been customary for many years, the City Clerk forwarded the applications to the Community Services Department to be given to the SAC Nominating Committee to conduct interviews of applicants. Five out of six applicants responded to interview requests and completed the interview process. Upon completion of interviews, the Nominating Committee recommended four applicants to the full SAC. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend the applicants to the Mayor and City Council for appointment.
Present Situation
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 2.94.040, the Mayor and City Council are responsible for appointing members to the SAC. On December 4, 2017, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend Anne Wilcox, Garrett Daniells, and Joseph Margolies to the Mayor and City Council for appointment to the Stockton Arts Commission. On February 5, 2018, the Commission also voted unanimously to recommend Rania Georgies for appointment to the Stockton Arts Commission.
Stockton Municipal Code section 2.94.040 B. 1 states “The City Council may by written policy institute terms of less than four (4) years initially and whenever necessary in order to create staggered vacancies…”. Staff is recommending setting the initial term for these four appointments to three years to expire on December 31, 2020. Subsequent terms will be four years to preserve a pattern of staggered vacancies.
Upon approval, the membership of the Stockton Arts Commission will be:
|
Name |
End of Term |
|
Kathy Hart |
December 31, 2018 |
|
Allison Cherry Lafferty |
December 31, 2018 |
|
Minnie Liwanag-Eichele |
December 31, 2018 |
|
Donna McMillan |
December 31, 2018 |
|
Craig Vincent |
December 31, 2018 |
|
Tabia Lee |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Marie Mallare-Jimenez |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Lauren McColl |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Emily Oestreicher |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Michael Ordonia |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Trey Steinhart |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Garrett Daniells |
December 31, 2020 |
|
Rania Georgies |
December 31, 2020 |
|
Joseph Margolies |
December 31, 2020 |
|
Anne Wilcox |
December 31, 2020 |
Furthermore, while the selection and recommendation process is a longstanding one, it has not been formally established in writing. Staff recommends formally recognizing and reaffirming by resolution, that the Mayor seeks the counsel and recommendation of the SAC for the appointment of new members. This includes that the SAC will continue to assist by conducting the selection and interview process in conjunction with the City Clerk’s office and in accordance with existing City Council policies and municipal code.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Stockton Arts Commission receives no remuneration. There is no direct financial impact to the City by taking this action.
Attachment A - Candidate Applications