HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo to alan
Memo
DATE: May 6, 2004
TO: Mayor Alan DeBoer
FROM: Ann Seltzer
RE: Suggested questions for Charter Review Committee applicants
The resolution creating the Charter Review Committee states that "the Mayor and Council shall
make every effort to appoint members who are impartial, non-biased and free of any perceived
political gain and have some expertise and knowledge of the workings of local government."
??
Since three of the four criteria are subjectiveand yet critical to the success of the committeeI
suggest doing one of the following:
1) Add the questions listed below to the application.
or
2) Interview each applicant using the questions listed below.
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a. What is your understanding of the role, function, and authority of the City Charter?
b. How do you propose to involve, listen to, and educate the public in this charter review
process?
c. Do you have any interest in running for an elected position?
d. Committee members must be impartial, non-biased, free of any perceived political gain
and have some knowledge or expertise in the workings of local government. Please
comment on how you meet these criteria.
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The responses to these questions will provide some insight to each of the candidates and will give
you a sense of how they view their responsibility to the process and the outcome. Written
responses may also serve to substantiate your selection and give the council something tangible to
review.
In addition, it is important that the community perceives this committee as being impartial and
non-biased and as such the appointment process should also be viewed as impartial and non-
biased. I believe using these questions will enhance that objective.