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18. Approve appointments to various Commissions/Committees Mayor Hosterman said that this year's pool of applicants was exceptional and stressed that while a difficult decision, she feels that she has appointed the best possible individuals to ensure that the needs of the community are met. Mayor Hosterman noted there were no speakers. Councilmember McGovern stated disagreement with the Planning Commission appointment. She clarified that she does not object to the individual appointed, but rather to those who were not reappointed. She said that Ann Fox is a remarkable asset to the Planning Commission who has served honorably, as has Commissioner O'Connor. She cited recent discussions over the political nature of the Planning Commission, suggested that political appointments are to blame, and stressed the importance of diverse points of view such as are presently on the City Council. Mayor Hosterman thanked her for the comments and reiterated that she did her best to appoint those she feels will do the best job. Councilmember Sullivan concurred with the comments surrounding Commissioners Fox and O'Connor. He said that in the past, even with mayors who were strongly aligned with opposing philosophies, they were always careful to appoint individuals of varying opinion to engage the community at large and provide the City Council with diversity of opinion. He worried that these appointments are a step in the opposite direction. Without taking anything away from those who were appointed, he noted that those who were not appointed all shared the distinction of being on the opposite side from the Council majority on some very high profile issues. He also cited issues with the entire process, numerous ignored requests that interviews occur after business hours to allow him to attend, and suggested that the process be made less unilateral. MOTION: It was m/s by Cook-Kallio/Thorne to approve appointments to various Commissions/Committees as follows: Commission Position Appointee Term Civic Arts Member JoMolz 4/21/09-9/30/12 Member John Loll 5/1/09-4/30/13 Member Howard Seebach 4/21/09-9/30/12 Housing Member Daniel Mermelstein 4/21/09-9/30/12 Member Colleen Lopez 4/21/09-9130/12 Alternate Barbara Hempill 4/21/09-9/30/12 Human Services Member Don Wilson 5/1/09-4/3/13 Library Member Kellene Cousins 5/1/09-4/30/13 Parks & Recreation Member Herb Ritter 5/1/09-4/30/13 Member Ted Kinzer * 5/1/07-4/30/11 Member Kurt Kummer 5/1/09-4/30/13 Planning Member Jerry Pentin 4/21/09-9/30/12 Member Phillip Blank 5/1/09-4/30/13 Youth Adult Rep. Libby Kolar 4/21/09-9/30/12 Adult Alternate Erica Utikal 4/21/09-9/30/12 Member Stefan Hall * 5/1/08-4/30/10 Member Nidhi Mastey * 5/1/08-4/30-10 Member Sarah Jupina 5/1/09-4/30/11 Member Nick Roby 5/1/09-4/30/11 City Council Minutes Page 15 of 17 April 7, 2009