THE CHARTER COMMISSION
OF THE
CITY OF SAGINAW
Memo re: PROPOSED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, ADVISORY TASK FORCES, AND CONTRACTORS
Relevant bylaw:
SECTION 4. The chairperson shall have the authority to establish such boards, committees and advisory task forces, as deemed necessary by the majority of the commission, and shall be authorized to appoint persons to preside over or serve on such boards, committees, and advisory task forces as deemed necessary by the chairperson, unless rescinded by 2/3 vote of the members of the commission. The chairperson is authorized to engage contractors to perform consulting work, and commit commission funds, and to delegate authority, as deemed necessary by the commission, unless rescinded by 2/3 vote of the members of the commission. The chair shall ask for names from the members to be considered on various committees.
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Proposed Committees
Necessary committees should be established first then chairpersons appointed by the chair. Members will appointed at a later time after names are submitted to the chairperson, and with some deference to the appointed committee chairperson. Committees should be informal non-voting working bodies that are advisory in nature, and their primary purpose should to insure a focus on important specific areas of this broad study. In the interest of establishing balanced committees, please submit proposed member name, address, and phone number along with that person's general position on the focus issues of a committee for which a person's name is submitted. A short letter from the person regarding their position would be helpful. Sub-Committee Application
Procedural Committees
Parliamentary Committee - parliamentarian will assist chair in analysis and enforcement of procedural rules of Order.
Drafting Committee - develop and prepare proposed language for submission to voters.
Citizen Taskforce
Blue Ribbon Advisory Taskforce - Lay and professional public citizens with expertise in various technical or policy disciplines; a non-meeting body of consultants not on commission to provide testimony, resources, and intellectual capital to the commission as needed.
Work Committees
1) Committee on Reform of City Boards, Commissions, and Departments - Develop merit system and anti-nepotism, anti-turf policies for departments, employees and contractors. Make recommendations for consolidation or elimination of departments, boards, and commissions, and appointment process.
2) Committee on Establish Performance Measures and Citizen Participation - develop charter mandates to empower citizens to communicate quickly and efficiently with city hall, and to require responsible interaction with, and within, city government, and foster intermediate performance measures for evaluation of services provided.
3) Committee on Tax Limitations, Public Accounting and Open Budget Process - develop sound principals and methods for tax collection, accounting, and the budgeting process.
4) Intergovernmental Liaison and Cooperative Regional Solutions Committee - develop relations with neighbors and regional partnerships to promote efficiency and avoid duplicity of cost of services, and develop recreation program partnership.
5) Committee to Develop Council Districts and Precinct Trustees - will develop ward districts and precincts using on person-one vote principals and census data, and develop redistricting commission and methods including anti-gerrymandering rules. Establish election methods term limitations, if any, and staggering of terms.
6) Committee on the Role and Selection of Mayor/City Manager in Saginaw - Establish election or appointment methods for mayor/Vice-mayor, term limitations, if any, and staggering of terms with other council elections.
7) Committee on Blight Removal and Urban Renewal - develop charter mandates to encourage blight removal, home ownership, landlord responsibility, public safety engineering, revitalization of neighborhood property values and beautification.
8) Public Safety Committee - develop strategic plan for crime reduction, police and fire safety, and improving Saginaw's image with respect to violent crime.
9) Council Liaison Committee for Commission Funding/Election Scheduling/Transition Planning Committee - develop budget needs and pursue adequate commission funding by City Council. Plan and implement schedule of public election(s) on charter revision, in cooperation with City Clerk, County Clerk, and Secretary of State Elections Bureau. Develop a logistical plan for a smooth transition from one form of government to another, so as to maintain continuity of government. Establish special phase in periods for some changes, where necessary.
Sub-Committee Application