HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-20 City Commission Packet Materials - A2. Appoint New Bozeman City Commissioner
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Jeff Mihelich, City Manager
Greg Sullivan, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Appoint New Bozeman City Commissioner
MEETING DATE: October 7, 2020
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDED MOTION: I move to appoint______________ to the position of Bozeman
City Commissioner with a term ending in compliance with Section 2.06(c) of the Bozeman Charter
for the remainder of the unexpired term which will expire at the beginning of the first regularly
scheduled meeting in January of 2022.
BACKGROUND: On September 9, 2020 former City of Bozeman Mayor Chris Mehl resigned
from office. Based on the City’s Charter, Mayor Cyndy Andrus, who was serving as deputy mayor
at the time of the resignation, succeeded to the office of Mayor. Based on the Charter’s succession
provision, a vacancy in the position of commissioner was created. On September 15th, we
provided information on the process for filling the vacant position. Click here for that information.
The appointment of a person to fill the position of commissioner is made by simple majority vote
of the commission.
The deadline for submitting statements of interest and qualifications was Tuesday, September 29,
2020. The applicants’ submissions are available at the following City website:
www.bozeman.net/commission.
We have reviewed the submissions for a determination whether the submitters are qualified to
hold the office of commissioner pursuant to the Charter and Montana law.
Below is a list of the applicants.
• Aaron Knoebel
• Alyssa Simmons
• Brian LaMeres
• Christopher Coburn
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•Damion Lynn
•David Landis
•Doug Chandler
•Emily Talago
•Erin Smith
•Francesca Pine-Rodriguez
•Greg Garrigues
•Griffin Smith
•Hannah Van Wetter
•Jennifer Madgic
•Joe Hansen
•Linda Gabel
•Mark Egge
•Mikiyo Aoki
•Paul Wrobel (address not provided with submission and address obtained from Elections
Administrator is not within City limits)
•Sam Atkins
•Susan Bilo
Applicant Brian LaMeres is currently a City employee. The Bozeman Charter prohibits a
commissioner from also serving as an employee. See Charter, Sec. 2.05(a) (stating no commission
member shall hold any other city office or employment during the term for which the member was
elected…). The City Attorney indicates this prohibition implements the doctrine of “incompatible
offices” and applies to the current appointment process.
The Commission may make the decision regarding the appointment during this meeting. If
additional time is required, the Commission may continue this agenda item to a date certain. Once
a decision is reached, the Commission should move forward with the swearing in and signing the
oath of office directly after.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the Commission.
ATTACHMENTS:
Individual application materials are available here:
http://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink8/0/fol/224399/Row1.aspx
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