HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.07.2010BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS COMMITTEE
September 7, 2010
4:55 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Jones, Schmitt, Cole.
Moved by Cole, seconded by Schmitt that the Agenda, as amended, be approved. Ayes: Three.
Motion carried.
Moved by Cole, seconded by Schmitt to receive and file Mayor Clark's recommendation of the
following appointment:
Appointee
Board/Commission
Expiration
Date
New or Re -
Appointment
Ron Wood
Waterloo Commission on Human
Rights
1/1/2013
New Appointment
Mr. Schmitt stated regarding this appointment, I would like to preface this that it is no inference
on Ron Wood, who I do not know. I believe I know a little bit about him and I believe from his
position at work he is probably a great candidate, but my concern is that I think within the last
couple of weeks we had a conversation on it that our boards and commissions we have a
directive from the governor to have gender equity whenever possible. Part of the conversation
and Ms. Cole thank you for your reaction; Ms. Cole stated coming out of your mouth that is
amazing. Mr. Schmitt stated I have three daughters, two -daughter in-laws, two wives; I am all
about gender equity. That was a former life. But as we talked about and Ms. Cole mentioned for
a lot of these boards and commissions we have a challenge getting female applicants because of
the type of the board. On this particular board most or all of know that we have a female
applicant and so number one I think this appointment is going to give us a six to four number on
the board and if we appointed a female, that would give us five to five. We would be
accomplishing that. And I think purely from an experience standpoint I can't imagine we could
find anybody more experienced than Mrs. Weims, so from that perspective I have a resistance to
approving Mr. Wood. Then finally, the other thing I did notice is that I believe this commission
has a count of ten which I am not sure how that ever came to be but I have never been on a board
or commission that has an even number of members because in the event of a tie vote.
Mayor Clark stated that we discussed that issue this afternoon and we will look into it and
address it. Mr. Schmitt stated I would like to maybe put Mr. Wood in line for the eleventh
position if we would get that. That is my recommendation and I won't vote to support Mr. Wood
for this appointment. Mr. Jones stated we are on track to balance this commission by the state
mandate deadline. So we are good there, but as far as appointments go candidates are appointed
by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The Council has no power to nominate or put anyone
in as a candidate for City Council. That is up to the Mayor. Council then in the full meeting
choose to vote up or down but other than that.
Ayes: Two. Nay: One (Schmitt). Motion carried.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Schmitt, seconded by Cole that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:01 p.m. Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
Suzy •P . res
City Clerk