HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Liaison FAQStaff Liaison FAQ:
What is the applicability of the Commission Norms resolution to how Board/Commissions interact
with staff? We stressed that Boards do not direct staff, they can request; but, how about
communication standards?
While the norms resolution did not explicitly apply to boards all board members should consider the
provisions as applying to them and comport their behavior accordingly. Staff liaisons can train to those
norms.
What is the process for if a staff liaison disagrees with a Board chair on agenda setting; i.e. an item
isn’t ripe or outside the purview?
This is obviously going to vary based on individual rules of procedure, but the intent is to be
collaborative. The staff liaison’s director should actively assist the staff liaison, the commission liaison,
and the chair to determine the appropriate scope of the board’s agenda items.
Lastly, how do we empower individual Board members to step in when another member is
approaching conflict?
It is best to be a Board member to member exercise over staff or Commission liaisons. With training, I
hope this becomes easier. Board members and liaisons are empowered to call a “point of order” to
address questions of motion clarity, potential conflicts, or purview. The City’s ethics program has been
active for over a decade. The point of the program is to educate board members so each board member,
on their own, identifies potential conflict prior to a meeting and works with the city attorney’s office to
resolve the manner in which the conflict is addressed. Other board members must also be cognizant of
potential conflicts and be willing to express their concern on the record. If additional training is required
the staff liaison should contact the city attorney.