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Date: 9/28/2022
SPRINGFIELD – City Council President Jesse Lederman proposed an ordinance intended to promote increased civic engagement for the city’s dormant committees, boards and commissions during the council’s Sept. 19 meeting. The council applauded the ordinance and approved its first reading in a unanimous vote.
In his introduction of the ordinance, Lederman explained his intent to create more activity in the city’s government. The councilor shared that the ordinance would make appointments to committee positions more accessible and transparent by highlighting the volunteer-based government groups via the city clerk’s website.
Lederman stressed that the proposed ordinance would help address lingering vacancies within city committees while also establishing a formal process for appointments.
“I believe that city boards and commissions are an important work of our local government, but I think we know that too many seats remain vacant on these bodies. We also know that there is no formal process to be considered for appointment in many cases,” said Lederman.
If implemented, the listing of all commission, committee and board positions would be compiled by the city clerk’s office. The website would include a description of each seat’s responsibilities, requirements, the names of currently serving members, the length of each appointment’s term and the appointing power that approves the civic volunteers. Lederman hopes the process removes any barriers people may face in applying for city volunteer boards.
Lederman advocated for the website to be reviewed monthly and updated every five business days in cases of new appointments or vacancies. All interested parties will complete newly-established applications that will be accepted by the clerk’s office. Appointments are either conducted by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Lederman or the whole City Council. The council’s General Government Subcommittee would also host each applicant for interviews before their appointment.
Increasing engagement in the city’s boards has been highlighted in the past by the council. In 2018, the council passed a resolution that urged for vacant seats to be addressed by city leadership. Despite the resolution, Lederman shared that key bodies, like the Ethics Commission and the Youth Commission, remain inactive.
“We know that key bodies in our city have been dormant for too long … it’s time to bring those bodies back,” said Lederman.
Lederman explained that the ordinance would also help address vacancies for currently operating city groups. Currently, the Zoning Board, Council on Aging, Planning Board, Cultural Council, Historical Commission and Traffic Commission are each operating without a full complement of members.
Lederman aspires for the ordinance to increase civic engagement’s accessibility in a way that reflects Springfield’s diverse perspectives.
“The people of Springfield are best served by a robust, professional, transparent and well-balanced government of their peers … service on local boards and commissions provides the opportunity to bring more people and more perspectives to the table,” said Lederman, who shared his hopes that vacant positions are openly marketed when available.
Ward 5 City Councilor Malo Brown commended Lederman for the ordinance’s community-centric approach.
“I always love getting the community involved … I know a lot of individuals who really want to impact and make a difference,” said Brown.
Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan expressed her support for the ordinance. In the past, several interested applicants for the volunteer positions struggled to receive appointment, according to Govan.
“We had a few members actually try to find a way onto the boards and they had a really hard time. They could not get access; they couldn’t get anyone to call them back … I think this is something the city needs,” said Govan.
Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila inquired on how the ordinance would impact Sarno’s potential appointments. Lederman shared that the ordinance does not prevent the mayor from appointing an applicant. However, Lederman noted that the new process’ emphasis on transparency should receive support from Sarno.
“Ultimately, because of the way our city charter is written, appointments can be made by the appointing authority … What we have the opportunity to do is to create a process that I believe an appointing authority that’s acting in the best interest of the city will follow,” said Lederman.
City Councilor At-Large Justin Hurst also advocated for the council to establish communication with the mayor’s administration to create a sense of collaboration with the proposed ordinance.
The City Council approved the first reading of the ordinance in a unanimous vote. The ordinance will be discussed in a General Government Subcommittee meeting before a final vote from the council.