SR-5-A (29)
SA
SEP - 8 1998
CCS:HS BS:TS f share\strept\ssccc.698
Council Meeting: August 11, 1998
Santa MOnica, California
TO' Mayor and City CounCil
FROM The Social Services Commission
SUBJECT' Request by the SocIal Services CommisSion to Remove
CommisSioner Jennafer Waggoner From the CommisSion
INTRODUCTION
ThIS report transmits a request by the Social Services CommIsSIon that the City
Council act to remove Jennafer Waggoner from the Social Services CommiSSion for
non-attendance at monthly CommisSion meetings, post the vacancy and consider
appOInting a person who has experience With homeless Issues.
BACKGROUND
At the Social Services CommiSSion annual planning meeting on November 1, 1997, the
CommiSSion discussed their roles as CommiSSioners and agreed to re-commlt to regular
attendance at monthly meetings as a basIc responsibility of their membership.
Consequently, the Commission Chair has requested attendance records from City staff
on a regular basIs to track attendance by members of the CommiSSion. In January of
1998, the CommiSSIOn Chair noted four consecutive absences by CommiSSioner
Waggoner and requested diSCUSSion on the matter at the Commission's February
meetmg.
5'A
SEP - 8 1998
On February 23, 1998, the Commission reviewed Commission attendance records for
all Commission members. This review IndICated that Commissioner Waggoner had not
attended a regular monthly meeting since September 1997 and that a pattern of
frequent absences had been establIshed pnor to that date Ms, Waggoner Informed
the Commission that because of her work schedule, she was unable to attend
Commission meetings on Monday nights Ms. Waggoner had brought thiS Issue before
the CommIssIon In the past and the CommIssIon dIscussed the posSIbIlIty of changing
the meeting date Despite their efforts, the Commission members could not find an
alternative date that would allow for most of the members to attend.
Since Commissioner Waggoner was not attending meetings, the Commission voted to
send a letter (Attachment I) to Ms Waggoner prOViding the opportumty to resign and
notifYing her of the Commission's Intention to request that the City CounCil remove
her membership on the CommIssIon. The letter, dated March 24, 1998, further
Informed Ms Waggoner that the CommiSSion would walt until Apnl 3, 1998 before
proceeding with their request to the City CounCil Commissioner Waggoner did not
reply
At the Commission's April 27, 1998 meeting, Commissioner Waggoner and members
of the public asked the Commission to reconsider ItS decIsion to recommend removal
of CommIssIoner Waggoner from the SOCIal Services CommIssIon The dISCUSSion was
continued to the May 27 Commission meeting when the Commission reaffirmed Its
onglnal position and voted to forward a request to City CounCil for Commissioner
Waggoner's removal
DISCUSSION
The CommissIon's request IS based on their desire to have the Commission seat filled
by a person who IS available to participate. The Commission continues to address the
Issue of homelessness as part of ItS review of social service needs In the community.
The CommissIon would welcome the Council's apPointment of a person who has direct
experience with homeless Issues to fill the seat should the Council move to make the
seat available
FISCAL/BUDGETARY IMPACT
There IS no fiscal/budgetary Impact
RECOMMENDA TION
The Social Services CommissIon recommends that the CIty Council act to remove
Commissioner Waggoner from the Social Services Commission because of her lack of
attendance at regular monthly meetings, post the vacancy and consider appointing a
person who has experience wIth homeless Issues
Prepared by:
Tracy Scruggs, Actmg Manager
Betty MacIas, Senior Administrative Analyst
Human Services DIvIsion
Community and Cultural Services Department
Al. L-\l.,li\lL:-l i
CITY OF St\NTA MONICA
SOCIAL SERVICES CaMMISSION
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March 24, 1998
Jennafer Waggoner
PO Box 3622
Santa Momca, CA 90408
Dear Jennater:
As you know from previous diScussions with the Social Services Commission,
attendance at meetings is crrtical to the function and success of the Commission's role
as an advisory body to the City Council. At the CommIssion's annual retreat In
November of 1997. Commissioners re-commltted to regular attendance as a basIc
responsibifity of their membership.
At the Social Services CommISSion meeting of February 23, 1998. your lack of
attendance at Commission meetings was discussed. Although Commissioners have
enjoyed your contributions as a member when you have been able to attend, records
indicate that you have not attended a regular monthly meeting since September of
1997, Attendance records also Indicate frequent ab: :.,ces prior to that date. In order
to maintain a full membership of active members by making a seat available for
someone who can partiCipate, the Commission has voted to request that the City
Council remove your membership on the Comm;ssion. However, prior to doing SO, the
Commission would like to provide an opportunity tor you to resign since it has become
apparent that you cannot attend meetings on Monday nights and attempts by the
CommiSSIOn to move the date have not worked out.
Please mad or FAX your letter by April 2, 1998 to:
Chuck Perfiter, C'"lalr
Soclal Services Commission
1685 Main Street Room lt212
Santa Momea, CA 90401
Fax # (310) 458-3380
t
ThanK. 'YOU for "your assIstance \Ve :';lii '"..al, U'.:" Aprl J 1 '333 ce'c',~ v _~,;.~'~
with our request to the City CouncIl
SIncerely
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Chuck Perllter, Chair
Social ServIces Commission
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