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.

COMMISSIONER	INITIAL APPOINTMENT DATE	MOST RECENT APPOINTMENT DATE	DATE THAT CURRENT TERM EXPIRES
Roy Ramsland, Jr.	9/9/2024	9/9/2024	3/31/2026
Ginger Logan-Cannon	3/17/2025	3/17/2025	3/31/2027
Jason Manley	4/18/2019	3/20/2023	3/31/2027
Danitza Cardenas	3/18/2024	3/18/2024	3/31/2028
Maria Mahecha	2/13/2023	3/18/2024	3/31/2028

On March 31, 2026, one two-year term for a member of the Planning Commission will expire. Roy Ramsland, Jr. was appointed on September 9, 2024, to fill an unscheduled vacancy due to the resignation Esther Rojas. Commissioner Roy Ramsland, Jr. has expressed an interest in reappointment. 

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.

If the City Council directs staff to proceed with a recruitment process, in addition to filling the one expiring Commission seat, staff recommends that City Council continue its past practice of selecting no more than two alternates to the Planning Commission should additional Commission vacancies occur prior to the next annual appointment process in 2027.  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

COMMISSIONER	INITIAL APPOINTMENT DATE	MOST RECENT APPOINTMENT DATE	DATE THAT CURRENT TERM EXPIRES
Annette Limon	3/20/2023	3/20/2023	3/31/2026
Veronica Hannah	3/18/2024	3/18/2024	3/31/2027
Richard Rojas	2/1/2021	3/18/2024	3/31/2027
Denise Schmidt	4/15/2019	3/17/2025	3/31/2028
Carrie Surich	3/3/2014	3/17/2025	3/31/2028

 

On March 31, 2026, one three-year term for a member of the Community Services Commission will expire. Annette Limon was appointed on March 30, 2023, and has expressed an interest in reappointment.  Additionally, Veronica Hannah submitted an email to the City on January 7, 2026, indicating that she will be resigning her seat effective May 31, 2026, as she will be moving out of the City.

The Community Services Commission is a consolidation of the City's original "Leisure & Cultural Services" and "Social Concerns Commission" and 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 directs staff to proceed with a recruitment process, in addition to filling the one expiring Commission seat, staff recommends that City Council continue its past practice of selecting up to two alternates to the Community Services Commission should additional Commission vacancies occur prior to the next annual appointment process in 2027, which will occur due to the pending resignation of Commissioner Hannah. Should the unscheduled vacancy occur, staff will 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:

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.

The 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 2 and March 16 (if needed), and City Council could then consider Commission appointments at its Regular Meeting on April 6, 2026.

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 2025-2026 adopted General Fund budget to cover these costs.