SPRINGDALE -- Aldermen reappointed a member of the Civil Service Commission about a year after his term ended.
The City Council approved reappointing Bob Downum to the commission Tuesday. Downum, secretary of the commission, said he applied to be reappointed, because it's his way of contributing to the city.
Council Action
Springdale’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:
• The temporary operation of a carnival at Parsons Stadium.
• A contract change with Waste Management allowing small businesses to use one to three wheeled trash bins.
• Rezoning 1161, 1211 and 1256 Kendrick Lane from agricultural to general industrial. This will be contingent upon the result of a June 2 court hearing.
Source: Staff report
Downum's term expired in April 2014, and he's been serving in a de facto role since then, said Ernest Cate, city attorney. The mayor's office is responsible for tracking commissioner term limits, said Denise Pearce, city clerk and treasurer.
Mayor Doug Sprouse said they need to improve the process, and it shouldn't happen again.
"That one just slipped by somebody," he said.
Seven aldermen voted to approve the appointment, while Alderwoman Kathy Jaycox voted against it.
Another man, Payton Parker, also applied for the position.
An email provided by Pearce contained an attachment including an email to Sprouse from Parker.
"I wanted to send you this email to request your consideration when filling open seats on Springdale boards and commissions," Parker wrote. "I am a lifelong resident of Springdale and would like to become more involved in our City Government."
The attachment contained applications from Parker and Downum and was sent to all eight aldermen and other city officials. Jaycox said during the meeting arrived back in town that day and hadn't seen Parker's application yet.
Jaycox explained to the other aldermen she wanted an opportunity to review the applications. She suggested they do that and then go into executive session in a few days to discuss the matter thoroughly.
Jaycox said after the meeting she would have liked the other aldermen to have followed a resolution the City Council approved in 2009.
The resolution requests the mayor advertise the position in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks, collect resumes and give those to the aldermen after the deadline on the advertisement. Aldermen would then meet in special session to review resumes and do interviews no later than 30 days after the second advertisement is published. Aldermen would then vote to appoint a commissioner at a council meeting.
A resolution, however, is a recommended policy, Jaycox said. An ordinance is a law.
Pearce said they began advertising the position two weeks ago. Sprouse said it was advertised in a newspaper.
Downum's appointment comes after the commission met May 8 to discuss hiring a new police chief. Kathy O'Kelley, the current chief, gave a letter to Sprouse on May 6 saying her retirement will be effective June 30.
Commissioners decided at the meeting they need to make their job descriptions for police and fire chiefs align with the city's descriptions. Harris explained after the meeting when the city updates a job description, the commission's description isn't automatically updated.
"It's just a documentation oversight," he said at the time.
The commission has a hearing about the proposed changes at 10 a.m. today in the City Council chambers in the city administration building at 201 Spring St.
NW News on 05/27/2015