Resolution 3335 formalizing the SSCAC was approved on July 9, 2018, and contains language assigning the duties of agenda preparation and posting as well as meeting minutes to the Committee Secretary. The Committee Secretary is an appointee elected by the Committee, not a City staff member. Supporting the SSCAC, a function of the City Manager's office and currently assigned to Community Relations Manager. All boards and commissions are supported by the City Clerk's office. The SSCAC is subject to Nevada Open Meeting Law (OML), NRS Chapter 241.

Additionally, Resolution 3335 contains language pertaining to the terms of Committee appointees. Currently, appointees are coterminous with their appointing elected official but must be reappointed every two (2) years. If a Committee member vacates the appointment mid-term, the Alternate does not automatically advance to the Committee to complete the remainder of the term. Each Committee vacancy requires public noticing to obtain applications to fill said vacancies. Given the relatively short terms and the number of SSCAC members, this places a significant burden on staff time and resources.

The ever-changing rules and complexity of the OML necessitate continual education and knowledge of Nevada laws. Additionally, the procedures to create and post public meeting agendas and meeting minutes require the ability to access State and City websites and facilities, abilities non-staff Committee members lack. Due to the importance of complying with OML and all of its nuances, the functions of the SSCAC Secretary should be assigned to City staff. This Resolution would achieve that.

The proposed Resolution would also update Committee appointment terms to make appointments truly coterminous with the elected appointing official, not requiring reappointment every two (2) years. In addition, the Resolution would allow a sitting Committee Alternate to be automatically appointed to a vacated member's seat, unless otherwise directed by the appointing elected official. The appointing elected official may remove their appointee from the SSCAC for any reason or for no reason at all. 

1. Council may approve the Resolution amending the processes for the SSCAC.

2. Council may deny the Resolution and provide further direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve Resolution (R-3361) amending processes for the Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.