Tuesday, May 17, 2016

City Commission meeting tonight (Tuesday, 5/17), how to watch Live, and what's with all those "waived" board appointments?

Instructions on how to watch a City Commission meeting 'Live Streaming': A few minutes after 6:00 use this link and then click on "Video/Audio of Public Meetings". If the screen is blank wait a few minutes and try again. It's that easy.

To see tonight's Commission agenda for yourself use this link and scroll down to "May 17, 2016 Regular Meeting" and click on "Full Version". Below are excerpts from the agenda, with highlights, and why did Commissioner Maier twice waive his "right to this appointment"?

City of Lake Worth City Commission Agenda
City Hall, 7 North Dixie Hwy
Tuesday, May 17, at 6:00 pm
1. Roll Call
2. Invocation or moment of silence
3. Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner McVoy
4. Agenda: Additions/Deletions/Reordering
5. Presentations (there is no public comment on Presentation items)
A. Presentation by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control on Feral Cats Ordinance [use this link to learn more] 
B. Proclamation declaring May 15-21, 2016 as National Public Works Week
C. Proclamation declaring May 21-27, 2016 as National Safe Boating Week
D. City Recreation Advisory Board
6. Commission liaison reports and comments
7. Public participation of non-agendaed items and consent agenda
8. Approval of minutes
9. Consent agenda (public comment allowed)
A. Ratify board members to the various City advisory boards

[Note: This is where it gets interesting.]

Ratify board members to the various City advisory boards
Summary: This item is to ratify the appointment of members to the City Tree, Sister City, Planning and Zoning, Recreation and Library Advisory Boards.
Background and justification:
     On February 5, 2013, the Commission adopted an ordinance amending the board member appointment process to allow for the selection of board members by individual elected officials. In accordance with the ordinance, the board appointments would be effective upon ratification by the Commission as a whole.
     On November 4, 2014, the Commission adopted an ordinance to provide for an elected official to waive his or her right to make an appointment. It also provides for the next elected official responsible for an appointment to make it. The following appointments are requested to be ratified.

[Below are excerpts from the appointments on the agenda] 
  • Commissioner Amoroso’s appointment of Maryann Polizzi to the Sister City Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2017.
  • Commissioner Maier’s appointment of Ricardo Martin to the Planning and Zoning Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2017.
  • Vice Mayor’s appointment of Maryann Polizzi to the Recreation Advisory Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2018. This was District 4 appointment; however, Commissioner District 4 waived his right to this appointment to the Commission.
  • Vice Mayor’s appointment of Theodore Johnson to the Library Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2020. This was District 4 appointment; however, Commissioner District 4 waived his right to this appointment to the Commission. 
Ryan Maier is the commissioner for District 4. Why would he be waiving his right to make board appointments? By the way, Maier may be up for re-election in March of next year. To read about that look in the right-hand column for "Deadline fast approaching to get your name on March 2017 ballot".