City Council - Rules & Government Relations Committee

CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1460 RULES and GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Meeting 07/8/2021 Attendees: R&GR Committee Members: Councilor Thomas Peake, Chair Councilor Peg Conniff, Clerk Councilor Dan Rist Other Attendees: Councilor Lindsey Rothschild Councilor Home Gomez Meeting called to order at 5:00 pm. The meeting was recorded. Minutes from 03/11/2021 approved 2-0. (Councilor Peake abstained as he did not attend the 3/11 meeting) Minutes from 04/01/2021 approved 3-0 1. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution re: De-criminalization of therapeutic psychedelic plants - This will be deferred until the next meeting. The sponsor, Councilor Zaret could not be at this meeting. In addition, there are other sources of information that this commit- tee is awaiting before we deliberate on this issue. B. Proposed amendment to council rules: Add Rule 20 - Remote Participation - Councilor Conniff explained that there is a larger city-wide effort regarding how remote multi-member boards and committees operate. General discussion in favor of this process with a focus on allowing the public to continue to participate re- motely no matter what other rules we may devise. The Committee was fully in fa- vor of ensuring that remote meetings include the ability of the public to participate remotely.  2. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. PILOT Program: Removed without prejudice. (Motion by Councilor Rist, second Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0) B. Anti-Bias Training: Removed without prejudice. Councilor Zaret would be ok with using the process identified by the Mayor. (Motion by Councilor Rist, second Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0) C. Amendment to City Council Rule 11H: Appointment Process. Lindsey Roth- schild presented on this issue as the sponsor. • Add to Rule 11H: “All mayoral appointments to multi-member boards and committees will receive the following notification via email or postal mail from the Appointments Committee. Follow-up questions may be asked of candidates either in person or via writing.” A sample email format is also suggested: • Discussed whether anything about social media posting is included in the appointments process? This process would not preclude followup questions related to this • Councilor Conniff stated this is a good idea to codify the process in Rules. It also is the minimum data set for appointments interviews. • Councilor Gomez was in favor of this especially given the ability for the appointments committee to as follow-up questions. (Motion by Councilor Rist, second Councilor Conniff. Approved 3-0) . 5:40pm - Motion to adjourn by Councilor Rist, seconded by Councilor Conniff. Next Meeting: 7/28 at 5:30pm