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Chair of the city's Capital Long Range Improvement Committee, John Bernstein, presented concerns to the city council yesterday about a proposal to cut the number of council nominees to 13 (down from 26), and have 10 seats nominated by the mayor and his administration (up from 7).

Current CLIC members say this would give city's budget office "undue influence." City staff are already heavily involved in CLIC process. Requiring professional experience for 8 appointments goes against how it has traditionally functioned, an advisory body of engaged residents.

Bernstein says he believes vacant seats on CLIC are being kept that way by the city clerk's office on purpose to help justify shrinking the number of members.

Council Member Chowdhury says the city is currently recruiting for boards and commissions during August, but CLIC hasn't been included, so there's no way for her to fill two vacant Ward 12 seats. There's also two vacant seats in Ward 5 that Pearll Warren hasn't had the opportunity to fill either.