Title:
Title
Removal of Member from the Sacramento Youth Commission
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-00323
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion removing Aria Russell from the Sacramento Youth Commission for good cause.
Contact: Wendy Klock-Johnson, MMC, Assistant City Clerk, (916) 808-7509; Marilyn Fisher, Program Specialist, (916) 808-7513, Office of the City Clerk.
Body
Presenter: N/A
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: City Charter section 232 provides that a member of a board or commission may be removed during their term by City Council for good cause. City Code 2.40.100 states that the failure of any member of any board or commission to attend three consecutive regular meetings shall be deemed good cause for removal from office under the provisions of Section 232 of the Sacramento City Charter.
Policy Considerations: This action is consistent with City Charter section 232 and City Code 2.40.100.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: It is essential that each member of a board or commission is fully committed to attendance of regularly scheduled meetings to ensure the ability of the board or commission to conduct business in a timely manner. The public’s trust in a member’s ability to serve on a board or commission is compromised when the member fails to comply with the vital requirement of attending scheduled meetings. Removing a member from their service on a City board or commission provides the City with the opportunity to appoint a member to the seat who is fully committed to the responsibilities of membership.
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): None.
Background: City Charter section 232 provides:
For good cause, neglect of duty or misconduct in office, a member of a city board or commission who has been appointed for a specified term by the city council or by the mayor with the approval of the city council, may be removed from office during such term by the city council. Such member may be removed only after such member has been given a copy of the charges against such member at least ten days prior to a hearing to be held on the charges. At the hearing the member shall have an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel.
Ms. Russell’s first term on the Sacramento Youth Commission commenced on October 15, 2019. Since appointment, Ms. Russell has been absent for one hundred percent of the scheduled meetings. Aria was absent on 11/04/2019, 11/18/2019, 12/02/2019, 12/16/2019, 01/06/2020, and 01/27/2020).
After several reminder notices that Ms. Russell’s attendance was impacting the ability of the Sacramento Youth Commission to conduct business in a timely fashion, Ms. Russell has failed to respond all attempts to reach her. On January 30, 2020, via certified US mail, a letter advising of disqualification from serving on the Sacramento Youth Commission was sent. The certified mail confirmation was returned to the Clerk’s Office showing that Ms. Russell was in receipt of the letter. The January 30, 2020, letter sought Ms. Russell to confirm her future attendance on the board or submit her resignation by February 14, 2020. A certified letter advising Ms. Russell that removal proceedings had begun was sent to her on February 18, 2020. The letter has not been responded to, and additional attempts to reach Ms. Russell via phone and US mail have been unsuccessful.
Ms. Russell has not responded to several reminders regarding her lack of attendance of the Sacramento Youth Commission. To date she has failed to confirm her future attendance or submit her resignation despite the City Clerk’s Office advising her of pending removal from the Sacramento Youth Commission.