2020 2:00:00 PM

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/92302995013
Meeting Dial-in #: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 923 0299 5013

General Business: 9.4

Title: Consideration, discussion, and possible approval of a Resolution (R-3362) amending the processes for the Citizens Advisory Committee for the City of Sparks.

Petitioner/Presenter: Lisa Hunderman, City Clerk/Alyson McCormick, Assistant City Attorney

Recommendation: Council approve the Resolution amending processes for the SCAC.

Financial Impact: None

Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.

Agenda Item Brief:

The Sparks Citizens Advisory Committee (SCAC) was formalized by Resolution 2553 in 1999 with the intent to provide citizen engagement and encourage volunteerism within the City. This agenda item is a request from the Clerk's office to amend language in the Resolutions pertaining to Committee appointment terms and duties assigned to the Secretary.

Background:

Resolution 2553 formalizing the SCAC was approved in 1999 and updated in 2009 by Resolution 3162. Resolution 3162 contains language assigning 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 SCAC is a function of the City Manager's office and is currently assigned to the Community Relations Manager. All boards and commissions are supported by the City Clerk's office. The SCAC is subject to Nevada Open Meeting Law (OML), NRS Chapter 241.

Additionally, Resolution 3162 contains language pertaining to the terms of Committee appointees. Currently, appointees are coterminous with their appointing elected officials 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.

Analysis:

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 also updates Committee appointment terms including 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 the vacated member's seat, unless otherwise directed by the appointing elected official. The appointing elected official may remove their appointee from the SCAC for any reason or for no reason at all.

Alternatives:

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

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

Recommended Motion:

I move to approve Resolution (R-3362) amending processes for the Sparks Citizens Advisory Committee.

Attached Files:

SCAC Resolution alm.pdf

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