CITY OF SUNNYVALE

City Council Study Session Summary

Boards and Commissions Update

May 6, 2008

 

The City Council met in study session at City Hall in the West Conference Room, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on May 6, 2008 at 5 p.m., with Vice Mayor Melinda Hamilton presiding.

 

City Councilmembers Present:

Mayor Anthony Spitaleri

Vice Mayor Melinda Hamilton

Councilmember John Howe

Councilmember Otto Lee

Councilmember Ron Swegles

Councilmember Christopher Moylan

Councilmember David Whittum

 

City Councilmembers Absent:

None.

 

City Staff Present:

Deborah Barrow, Director of Libraries

Kathryn Berry, Assistant City Attorney

Gail Borkowski, City Clerk

Amy Chan, City Manager

Hanson Hom, Director, Community Development Department

Dave Lewis, Director, Parks and Recreation

Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation

Marvin Rose, Director, Public Works Department

Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager

Erwin Young, Director, Human Resources Department

 

Visitors/Guests Present:

Dixie Carney, Arts Commission

Kevin Jackson, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

Harriet Rowe, Planning Commission

 

Call to Order:

5:05 p.m.

 

Study Session Summary:

Staff presented an overview of three issues it will be addressing relative to the City’s boards and commission program over the course of the next year, including:

 

·        Recruitment and Selection: staff reviewed current practices and observations, as well as recommendations for future change.

·        Promoting Consistency Amongst Boards and Commissions: staff reviewed its efforts in this area to date (Charter language, Council policy regarding budget review, parliamentary procedure, etc.), as well as areas it intends to focus on during the coming year (minutes, work plans, recognition, etc.).

·        Revising/Creating Bylaws: Council policy requiring bylaws for all boards and commissions was reviewed, as was staff’s plan to fulfill that requirement by bringing proposed bylaws (or something in place of bylaws after working with the Office of the City Attorney) to the Council this year.

 

Council comments and questions were solicited and answered. Three board and commission members provided public testimony. Council was encouraged to submit any suggestions for further improvement in related operations to the city manager.

 

Adjournment:

6:50 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager