Council President Lederman’s Board and Commission Ordinance Passes Unanimously, Signed Into Law

Springfield City Council President Jesse Lederman announces that the new ordinance he proposed in September to require public reporting on the status of Municipal Board and Commission Vacancies and the development of an application process to fill such vacancies passed final step unanimously at the City Council’s Monday meeting, and was signed into law by Mayor Domenic Sarno on Tuesday.

“You shouldn’t have to know somebody to get appointed to a Board or Commission in Springfield. Every resident who is interested in serving should have the opportunity to have their qualifications and experience considered,” said President Lederman, “This law will ensure that residents have that opportunity, and also highlight key vacancies that need to be filled to make local government work better for Springfield. I thank my colleagues and the Mayor for their support.”

The ordinance requires that the City Clerk maintain a listing of all Municipal Board, Commission, and Committees on the city’s official website, along with a description of the bodies responsibilities, the names of members currently serving or any vacancies, the length of each member’s term, and the appointing authority. That listing would be required to be reviewed monthly for accuracy, and to be updated within 5 business days of a new appointment or vacancy.

The legislation also requires that the City Clerk develop a public application process for residents to apply for consideration to be appointed to a respective Board, Commission, or Committee. Such applications would be collected by the City Clerk’s Office and forwarded to the appropriate appointing authority for consideration. In most cases the appointing authority is the Mayor, and in less circumstances, the City Council President or the City Council as a whole.

The ordinance requirements will be implemented by the Office of the City Clerk, and overseen by the City Council’s General Government Committee.