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Consideration Items
Item No. 1.
| MEETING DATE: 01/21/2025 |
|
| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Rhonda J. Barone, CMC, City Clerk |
| SUBJECT: | CONSIDER EXPIRING TERMS AND VACANCIES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION, AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF
|
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
A. Reappoint eligible and interested Planning Commissioners and/or Community Services Commissioners who have expiring terms; or,
B. Direct staff to advertise vacancies on the Planning Commission and Community Services Commission that will occur due to expiring terms or resignations, and schedule interviews with eligible candidates.
DISCUSSION:
Planning Commission
| COMMISSIONER |
INITIAL
APPOINTMENT DATE
|
MOST RECENT APPOINTMENT DATE |
DATE THAT CURRENT TERM EXPIRES |
| Danitza Cardenas | 3/18/2024 | 3/18/2024 | 3/31/2028 |
| Maria Mahecha | 2/13/2023 | 3/18/2024 | 3/31/2028 |
| Jason Manley | 4/18/2019 | 3/20/2023 | 3/31/2027 |
| Roy Ramsland, Jr. | 9/9/2024 | 9/9/2024 | 3/31/2026 |
| (unscheduled vacancy) | 3/31/2027 |
Due to the resignation of Minerva Siguenza Gomez, there is currently one unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission, with a term that will expire March 31, 2027.
The La Habra Planning Commission was formed in accordance with Ordinance No. 138, adopted by City Council on November 15, 1949. The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of City Council, and with staggered four-year terms. The Commission meets twice monthly, for a maximum of 24 times per year.
Should the City Council choose to proceed with a recruitment process to fill the unscheduled Planning Commission vacancy, staff recommends that the City Council continue its past practice of selecting one or two alternates to the Planning Commission should additional Commission vacancies occur prior to the annual appointment process in 2026. Should an unscheduled vacancy occur, staff would contact the alternate(s) in the order of precedence established by the City Council to determine if the alternate(s) are willing and able to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of its term of appointment.
Planning Commissioner Stipend
Planning Commissioners currently receive a stipend of $100 per month. However, since its formation, Commission stipends have varied, as listed below:
Should the City Council choose to proceed with a recruitment process to fill the unscheduled Planning Commission vacancy, staff recommends that the City Council continue its past practice of selecting one or two alternates to the Planning Commission should additional Commission vacancies occur prior to the annual appointment process in 2026. Should an unscheduled vacancy occur, staff would contact the alternate(s) in the order of precedence established by the City Council to determine if the alternate(s) are willing and able to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of its term of appointment.
Planning Commissioner Stipend
Planning Commissioners currently receive a stipend of $100 per month. However, since its formation, Commission stipends have varied, as listed below:
- $75 per month, as per Resolution 1967 adopted on July 20, 1971.
- $100 per month, as per Resolution No. 3898 adopted on August 1, 1989.
- $50 per month, as per Resolution No. 5237, based on the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Budget.
- $100 per month, based on the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget.
- $50 per month, as per the June 17, 2019, City Council meeting, based on the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget cuts.
- $100 per month, as per the August 19, 2019, City Council meeting.
- $90 per month, as per the June 15, 2020, City Council meeting, based on the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget cuts.
Planning Commission Terms and Term Limits
On November 5, 1985, City Council adopted a policy that established term limits for Planning Commissioners, allowing them to serve two (2) consecutive terms of four years, or a maximum of 10 years.
On February 21, 1989, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1351 that specified Planning Commissioner terms shall be for four years, expiring on March 31st and staggered, and that Community Services Commissioner terms shall be for three years, expiring on March 31st and staggered. Term limits were not established by this Ordinance and since the term limits were set by Council policy and not by an adopted Ordinance, it is the opinion of the City Attorney that City Council has the option to reappoint Commissioners to terms at its discretion.
Community Services Commission
On November 5, 1985, City Council adopted a policy that established term limits for Planning Commissioners, allowing them to serve two (2) consecutive terms of four years, or a maximum of 10 years.
On February 21, 1989, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1351 that specified Planning Commissioner terms shall be for four years, expiring on March 31st and staggered, and that Community Services Commissioner terms shall be for three years, expiring on March 31st and staggered. Term limits were not established by this Ordinance and since the term limits were set by Council policy and not by an adopted Ordinance, it is the opinion of the City Attorney that City Council has the option to reappoint Commissioners to terms at its discretion.
Community Services Commission
| COMMISSIONER |
INITIAL
APPOINTMENT DATE
|
MOST RECENT APPOINTMENT DATE |
DATE THAT CURRENT TERM EXPIRES |
| Veronica Hannah | 3/18/2024 | 3/18/2024 | 3/31/2027 |
| Richard Rojas | 2/1/2021 | 3/18/2024 | 3/31/2027 |
| Annette Limon | 3/20/2023 | 3/20/2023 | 3/31/2026 |
| Gabriela Garcia | 4/15/2019 | 4/4/2022 | 3/31/2025 |
| Denise Schmidt | 4/15/2019 | 4/4/2022 | 3/31/2025 |
On March 31, 2025, two three-year terms for members of the Community Services Commission will expire.
- Current Commissioner Gabriela Garcia has served since 2019 and indicated that she is not interested in reappointment and submitted her resignation from the Commission effective March 31, 2025.
- Current Commissioner Denise Schmidt has served since 2019 and is eligible for reappointment.
The Community Services Commission, which is a consolidation of the City's original “Leisure & Cultural Services” and “Social Concerns Commission,” was formed in accordance with Ordinance No. 1151, adopted on November 17, 1981. As per the adoption of Ordinance No. 1840 by City Council on May 2, 2022, the Commission was reduced from seven members to five members, each with staggered three-year terms. The Commissioners meet once per month, but can meet up to 14 times per year, as they have additional meetings dedicated to the consideration of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding allocation proposals.
The Community Services Commission currently has six formal subcommittees:
1. Community Development Block Grant
2. Child Development
3. Parks & Museums
4. Community Wellness & Social Services
5. Special Events
6. Youth Committee & Scholarships
The number of, and Commissioner assignment to, the subcommittees is determined by the Commissioners at their annual reorganization meeting.
If the City Council chooses to proceed with a recruitment process, in addition to filling the two expiring Commission seats, staff recommends that City Council continue its past practice of selecting one or two alternates to the Community Services Commission should additional Commission vacancies occur prior to the annual appointment process in 2026. Should an unscheduled vacancy occur, staff would contact the alternate(s) in the order of precedence established by the City Council to determine if the alternate(s) are willing and able to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of its term of appointment.
Community Services Commissioner Stipend
Community Services Commissioners currently receive a stipend of $50 per month. However, since its formation, Commission stipends have varied, as listed below:
- $50 per month, as per the 2005 Warrant List approved by City Council.
- $25 per month, as per Resolution No. 5237, based upon the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Budget.
- $50 per month, as per the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget.
- $25 per month, as per the June 17, 2019, City Council meeting, based on the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget cuts.
- $50 per month, as per the August 19, 2019, City Council meeting.
- $45 per month, as per the June 15, 2020, City Council meeting, based on the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget cuts.
Community Services Commission Terms and Term Limits
On November 5, 1985, City Council adopted a policy setting term limits for the Community Services Commission, indicating that Community Services Commissioners may serve three (3) consecutive terms of three years, or a maximum of 10 years.
On February 21, 1989, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1351 that specified Planning Commissioner terms shall be for four years, expiring on March 31st and staggered, and that Community Services Commissioner terms shall be for three years, expiring on March 31st and staggered. Term limits were not established by this Ordinance and since the term limits were set by Council policy and not by an adopted Ordinance, it is the opinion of the City Attorney that City Council has the option to reappoint Commissioners to terms at its discretion.
On November 5, 1985, City Council adopted a policy setting term limits for the Community Services Commission, indicating that Community Services Commissioners may serve three (3) consecutive terms of three years, or a maximum of 10 years.
On February 21, 1989, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1351 that specified Planning Commissioner terms shall be for four years, expiring on March 31st and staggered, and that Community Services Commissioner terms shall be for three years, expiring on March 31st and staggered. Term limits were not established by this Ordinance and since the term limits were set by Council policy and not by an adopted Ordinance, it is the opinion of the City Attorney that City Council has the option to reappoint Commissioners to terms at its discretion.
On March 18, 2024, City Council unanimously voted to dissolve the Beautification Committee and assign its duties to the Community Services Commission.
City Council has the option to directly appoint or reappoint qualified individuals to Commission seats or direct staff to advertise vacant and alternate seats and then schedule applicant interviews with the City Council. Should City Council direct staff to advertise and schedule interviews, City Council interviews will be tentatively scheduled prior to the City Council meetings on March 3 and March 17 (if needed), and City Council could then consider Commission appointments at its Regular Meeting on April 7, 2025.
City Council has the option to directly appoint or reappoint qualified individuals to Commission seats or direct staff to advertise vacant and alternate seats and then schedule applicant interviews with the City Council. Should City Council direct staff to advertise and schedule interviews, City Council interviews will be tentatively scheduled prior to the City Council meetings on March 3 and March 17 (if needed), and City Council could then consider Commission appointments at its Regular Meeting on April 7, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The cost to advertise and solicit applications for Commission/Committee seats is approximately $1,000. Planning Commissioners earn a $50 stipend per meeting, usually meeting twice per month for a maximum of $100 per month. Community Services Commissioners earn a maximum monthly stipend of $50. There is sufficient funding in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 adopted General Fund budget to cover these costs.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE/CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
This action achieves the following element of the La Habra General Plan:
LU 2.5 - Places Supporting the Quality of Life
ED 9.1 - Balanced Fiscal Practices
This action also achieves the following elements of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City of La Habra Goals and Objectives:
Goal 7B - Promote and practice a high standard of trust, ethics, and values among our employees and the public we serve
Goal 7C - Provide and maintain quality public services for our residents, businesses, and visitors
Goal 7D - Consistently provide the highest level of customer service to both our internal and external customers
LU 2.5 - Places Supporting the Quality of Life
ED 9.1 - Balanced Fiscal Practices
This action also achieves the following elements of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City of La Habra Goals and Objectives:
Goal 7B - Promote and practice a high standard of trust, ethics, and values among our employees and the public we serve
Goal 7C - Provide and maintain quality public services for our residents, businesses, and visitors
Goal 7D - Consistently provide the highest level of customer service to both our internal and external customers