That the City Council:
A. Consider and appoint one individual to the Planning Commission to fill an unscheduled vacancy with a two-year term that will expire on March 31, 2027, and up to two individuals to serve as alternates; and,

B. Consider and appoint two individuals to the Community Services Commission to fill two 3-year terms that will expire on March 31, 2028, and up to two individuals to serve as alternates.

At its Regular Meeting of January 21, 2025, City Council was notified of the following commission vacancies:

At that time, City Council directed staff to advertise all expiring terms and schedule interviews. The Commission recruitment was posted at City Hall and the City Council Chamber, and was also advertised on the City's social media sites, the City website, on Channel 3, and in the Orange County Register. 

A total of seven (7) applications were received for the Planning Commission and/or Community Services Commission vacancies.  However, applicant Janette Cortez withdrew her application due to being out of town for an extended period of time.

On Monday, March 3, 2025, the following six (6) applicants were interviewed by City Council:
 

	Applicant	Commission(s) of Interest
3:30 p.m.	Denise Schmidt	Community Services
3:40 p.m.	Manuel Miranda	Community Services
4:00 p.m.	Carrie Surich	Community Services
4:10 p.m.	Ginger Logan-Cannon	Planning, Community Services
4:20 p.m.	Lyndsey Lefebvre	Planning
4:30 p.m.	Yamilet Lara	Planning

City Council policy allows for Planning Commissioners to serve two consecutive terms of four years each or a maximum of 10 years; and the Community Services Commissioners to serve three consecutive terms of three years each or a maximum of 10 years.

City Ordinance No. 1351 adopted on February 21, 1989, limits Planning Commissioners terms to four years, expiring March 31 and staggered; and the Community Services Commissioners terms to three years, expiring March 31 and staggered. Term limits were not established by this ordinance, but rather by City Council policy, so the City Attorney's office has opined that the City Council has the option to reappoint commissioners to terms as they so choose.

Community Services Commissioner Gabriela Garcia has submitted her resignation from the Community Services Commission, effective March 31, 2025.

Incumbent Community Services Commissioner Denise Schmidt was initially appointed on April 15, 2019, for a 3-year term expiring March 31, 2022; and again on April 4, 2022, for an additional 3-year term expiring March 31, 2025.  Therefore, she is eligible for re-appointment for an additional 3-year term. 

Former Community Services Commissioner Carrie Surich served on the Community Services Commission from 2014-2015 (1 year), 2015-2018 (3 years), 2018-2021 (3 years), and 2021-2022 (1 year extension; recruitment delayed due to COVID-19).  Therefore, Ms. Surich has served a total of eight (8) years, making her eligible for a 2-year appointment.

The Planning Commissioners earn a monthly stipend of $100. The Community Services Commissioners earn a monthly stipend of $50.  Stipends are an expense of the General Fund.

This recommended action achieves the following elements of the La Habra General Plan:

This action also achieves the following elements of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City of La Habra Goals and Objectives: