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Consideration Items
Item No. 1.
| MEETING DATE: 03/16/2026 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Rhonda J. Barone, CMC, City Clerk |
| SUBJECT: | CONDUCT INTERVIEWS FOR ANNUAL EXPIRING TERMS AND TWO ALTERNATES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conduct interviews for annual expiring terms and two alternates on the Planning Commission and Community Services Commission.
DISCUSSION:
At its Regular Meeting of January 20, 2026, the City Council was notified of the following commission vacancies:
- One 4-year term on the Planning Commission that will expire on March 31, 2030.
- One 3-year term on the Community Services Commission that will expire on March 31, 2029.
At that time, City Council directed staff to advertise all expiring terms and to 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 24 applications were received for the Planning Commission and/or Community Services Commission vacancies by the application deadline. Three applicants withdrew from the process due to personal reasons and two applicants do not live in the City and are not eligible for consideration. An additional three applicants did not respond to several attempts by staff to schedule their interviews. Copies of the applications for the remaining 16 eligible candidates are attached for City Council review.
Due to the large number of applications received, two dates were needed for City Council to conduct interviews of all applicants. The first interviews with 10 applicants were held on March 2, with the final six (6) applicants scheduled for interviews on March 16.
Below is the schedule for the second and final group of applicant interviews to be held on Monday, March 16:
A total of 24 applications were received for the Planning Commission and/or Community Services Commission vacancies by the application deadline. Three applicants withdrew from the process due to personal reasons and two applicants do not live in the City and are not eligible for consideration. An additional three applicants did not respond to several attempts by staff to schedule their interviews. Copies of the applications for the remaining 16 eligible candidates are attached for City Council review.
Due to the large number of applications received, two dates were needed for City Council to conduct interviews of all applicants. The first interviews with 10 applicants were held on March 2, with the final six (6) applicants scheduled for interviews on March 16.
Below is the schedule for the second and final group of applicant interviews to be held on Monday, March 16:
| Applicant | Commission(s) of Interest | |
| 3:15 p.m. | Janette Cortez | Community Services |
| 3:30 p.m. | Nohemi Valenzuela | Community Services |
| 4:00 p.m. | Kandace Gutierrez | Community Services |
| 4:15 p.m. | Nadina Picarella | Community Services |
| 4:45 p.m. | Dana Varela | Planning |
| 5:00 p.m. | Lizzette Landeros | Planning |
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The Planning Commissioners earn a monthly stipend of $100. The Community Services Commissioners earn a monthly stipend of $50. Stipends are a budgeted expense of the General Fund.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE/CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
This recommended action achieves the following elements 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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 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