Title
Approval of a Resolution Appointing Parfait Bassalé and Karen Messmer as Commissioners to Serve on the Independent Salary Commission
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution appointing Parfait Bassalé and Karen Messmer to the Independent Salary Commission as proposed by the Mayor.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution appointing Parfait Bassalé and Karen Messmer to the Independent Salary Commission as proposed by the Mayor.
Staff Contact:
Manny Bosser, Human Resources Director, 360.753.8309
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar
Background and Analysis:
In July 2017 City Council passed Ordinance No. 7089, in accordance with RCW 35.21.015, to create an Independent Salary Commission to review and establish the salaries for all seven members of the Olympia City Council. Members appointed to the Independent Salary Commission serve a two-year term and can serve two consecutive terms. They do not receive compensation for serving on the Commission.
Olympia’s Independent Salary Commission is a group of five City residents appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. They last met in July and August, 2024. All but one member’s term has expired. Two members opted to serve a second two-year term. Two members chose not to serve a second term and new commissioners need to be appointed.
Mayor Payne solicited names from other Councilmembers and community leaders. Based on availability, diversity of experience and interest in serving, the Mayor is recommending the following new Commission members:
• Parfait Bassalé
• Karen Messmer
Climate Analysis:
The Commissioners’ appointment is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions or the environment.
Equity Analysis:
Mayor Payne solicited names from other Councilmembers and community leaders to identify persons with a diversity of experience and interest in serving on the Independent Salary Commission to represent the community.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There are no known neighborhood or community interests related to this item.
Financial Impact:
The Independent Salary Commission will establish a salary and compensation schedule that will be filed with the City Clerk no later than October 1. The City Clerk will publish the Independent Salary Commission’s schedule of salary and compensation, which shall not become effective until thirty (30) days after publication. Any salary increase or decrease shall become effective and incorporated into the City budget without further action of the City Council or salary commission. This expense is included in the general fund operating budget.
Options:
1. Approve a resolution appointing Parfait Bassalé and Karen Messmer to the Independent Salary Commission as proposed by the Mayor.
2. Do not approve a resolution appointing Parfait Bassalé and Karen Messmer to the Independent Salary Commission as proposed by the Mayor.
3. Recommend other candidates and direct staff to update the resolution and return to Council for consideration at a future meeting.
Attachments:
Resolution