Procedure on Commission Seats Changed

Individual council members will no longer be able to make nominations to city commissions under an ordinance approved by the City Council on a 3-2 vote.

Councilwoman Marcia Rudolph denounced last week’s vote as a “power play” by Mayor Helen Wilson and Councilmen Peter Herzog and Richard Dixon.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed,” Rudolph said.

“It means that all appointments from now on will be reflective of the opinions of three members of the council.”

Previously, council members made nominations to city commissions that were approved by the entire council.

Although the nomination was not a guarantee of appointment, no nomination has been overturned in Lake Forest’s five-year history.

Other council members denied that the move was intended as a “power play.”

“We want people to submit their applications to the entire council, rather than individual council members,” Dixon said.