The Mount Vernon Civil Service Commission will get alternate members appointed similar to how the Municipal Planning Commission through legislation approved by the City Council on March 23.
The move is intended to ensure that the commission can maintain a quorum and continue its work without interruption. The Civil Service Commission consists of three members, but has struggled with attendance issues. "The civil service commission consists of three members and we've been having a difficult time trying to get them all on the same schedule. We've had to cancel two meetings already this year ... for lack of a forum," Mayor Matt Starr said, according to a video recording of the meeting.
City Council member and Employee & Community Relations Committee Chair Amber Keener described the legislation as straightforward. She told the council about discussions she has had with Starr regarding why this change was necessary and what it will allow the city to do, according to the video recording.
Starr explained that, like other city commissions, the Civil Service Commission would now have alternate members who would have full voting privileges if they are present at a meeting when a regular member is absent. Notifications will be sent out in advance to ensure there is a quorum, and follow-up emails or phone calls will be made if regular members cannot attend, according to the video recording.
Keener said she would take the ordinance to its third and final reading in order to make the Civil Service Commission functional. She added that the mayor will still need to find individuals willing to participate in this commission, and those chosen must be approved by City Council, according to the video recording.
After discussion in committee, the ordinance creating alternate Civil Service Commission members was approved unanimously during City Council's regular session on a motion made by Keener and seconded by Second Ward Council member John Ruckman, according to the video recording.
