GOVERNMENT: THREE SKIP MEETINGS, OFF BOARD

Three city advisory board members have been removed from their seats after failing to meet the city's attendance requirement, but the former members say they are not upset about their dismissals and understand the city's motivation in setting the policy.

The City Council in March established the no-excuse attendance policy, which requires members of city boards and commissions to not miss three consecutive meetings or four meetings in any 12-month period.

Two Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members, Doug Watson and David Goncher, stepped down from the committee after missing three meetings because of scheduling conflicts and unforeseen obligations.

Michael Stites, a former member of the Historic Preservation Commission, also stepped down after missing three meetings.

City Manager Michael Miller said that, historically, there has been an attendance problem on voluntary boards, which is why the council adopted the policy.

"They are voluntary positions, and people aren't paid for doing it," Miller said. "That means every once in a while they say, Gee, why should I go?' and that could cause problems for the other members."

The city has 16 advisory boards: the Airport Board, Board of Adjustment, Board of Appeals, Board of Examiners, Cable TV Advisory Board, Cape Girardeau County University Extension Council, Convention and Visitors Advisory Board, Ethics Commission, Golf Course Advisory Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Public Library Board of Trustees, Show Me Center Board of Managers, Special Business District Advisory Commission and the Vision 2020 Community Relations Council.

The number of advisers on each board varies, but ranges from five on the Board of Adjustment to 14 on the Vision 2020 Community Relations Council.

Elected city council members, who are paid $100 a month for their service, also are subject to an attendance policy and can not miss three meetings in a row without an excuse.

"For example, if somebody gets ill, the council can excuse them," Miller said.

Watson served on the park board in addition to being involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Committee and the United Way.

He missed three park board meetings, one of which was to attend a friend's funeral visitation and another to attend his son's baseball game.

Watson said he was aware of the policy but didn't really understand it until he got close to being removed.

"I understand why the city has the policy, though," he said. "I believe the policy is probably pretty good. If you volunteer and can't serve, well maybe somebody else wants to do it."

David Goncher, who is a member of the Cape Girardeau Public School Board, said he ran into a situation where school board meetings coincided with park board meetings.

Goncher served on the park board for 11 years before being removed over the summer because of attendance. Even so, he said he thinks the attendance policy is a good thing.

"I think people who are on these advisory boards need to make a commitment and be there," he said, "but after 11 years, it was time for someone else in there anyway."

In Goncher's case, with all the building and finance and subcommittees that were his obligation, he couldn't do both.

"Whenever I could, I'd make a park board meeting," he said, "but it's just gotten too busy with the school."

Advisory board members who have been removed from their seats can re-apply for appointment, although the council will take into account their attendance record before reappointing them.

Miller said the council wants to give people other opportunities to serve, especially if their lack of attendance was due to something beyond their control.

The feeling was that even with the automatic termination, that if a person had an illness or something he could come back and reapply for the position, he said.

HOW TO APPLY

What you need to be to be on advisory board:

Applicants must be a taxpayer, qualified voter and city resident.

Where to apply:

Applications should be submitted to the city manager's office at City Hall, 401 Independence or call 334-1212.