SUBJECT:
Title
Selection of Board of Trustee Applicant Finalists through Rank Choice Voting
Body
DEPARTMENT: Town Administration
PRESENTER: Malcolm Fleming, Town Administrator
TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
only required for non-consent items
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
On November 2, at the Virtual Special Meeting, the Board discussed and confirmed the selection process, timeline, posting notification and application for the Board of Trustee vacancy. On November 5, staff made available the application process on the Town’s website. Seven applications were received and residency requirements were verified. Board members received a pdf of all applications on November 22. Board members will have 8 days to review the applications for the following applicants:
• Aherns, John
• Brooks, Justin
• Cygan, Joseph
• Kenward, Ryan
• Mclaughlin, Gerry
• Sawusch, Andrew
• Vukovic, Darko
Process and Schedule
November 30, (Tue) Special Meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. Board will use Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to select up to 5 finalists for interviews.
December 7, (Tue) Special Meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. Board interviews finalists and uses RCV to select an appointee.
December 14 (Tue) Regular Meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. Newly appointed Board Member is sworn in.
Previously Provided Information
On October 6, 2021 former Trustee Bill Gippe submitted his resignation from the Board of Trustees, effective immediately. When a member of the Board of Trustees resigns, the process to fill the vacant position is governed by § 1-5-2 of the Erie Municipal Code, which states as follows:
The board of trustees shall have power, by appointment, to fill all vacancies in the board or in any other elected office, and the person so appointed shall hold office until the next regular election and until his successor is elected and qualified. If the term of the person creating the vacancy was to extend beyond the next regular election, the person elected to fill the vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term. Where a vacancy exists in the office of trustee and a successor or successors are to be elected at the next election to fill the unexpired term or terms, the three candidates for trustee receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to four-year terms and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes, in descending order, shall be elected to fill the unexpired term or terms.
Because former Trustee Gippe's current term expires in April 2022, any appointee would only serve from the date of appointment until April 2022, and then would need to run for the Board again if interested in retaining the seat.
Board Priority(s) Addressed:
ü Effective Governance
Attachments:
1. Summary of Ranked Choice Voting