STANTON : Council OKs Merger of 2 City Groups

Council members this week approved plans to consolidate the city’s recreation and community affairs advisory boards into one entity.

In an attempt to reduce staffing costs, officials plan to establish a seven-member Community Services Commission to advise the council on everything from park acquisition and cultural arts programs to the distribution of community grants and housing needs.

The council is expected to officially adopt the ordinance on Aug. 25. It would abolish the Recreation Commission and Community Affairs Committee and allow the city to begin accepting applications for the new citizen panel. At the same time, the council is also expected to discuss whether commissioners would be paid $50 for each meeting.

Established more than two decades ago, the five-member Recreation Commission currently advises the council on senior citizen activities and adult and youth recreational programs. Recreation and Leisure Services Director Mary Gonye represents the city in dealings with the commission.

The nine-member Community Affairs Committee was formed about 12 years ago for the specific purpose of gathering citizen input for community development block grants. It is also responsible for handling other community issues that the council refers to it. Community Development Manager Bonnie Kirk serves as the liaison between the city and the committee.

Gonye and Kirk would both represent the city in dealings with the new commission.

While some members of both panels said they support the consolidation as a way to cut costs, others have said they fear community representation will be hurt by the loss of the two boards.

Two places on the new advisory committee have been reserved for members of the business community while the remaining five places would be filled by other residents.