That the City Council:
A. Consider and appoint one individual to the Planning Commission to fill one 4-year term that will expire on March 31, 2030, and up to two individuals to serve as alternates; and,

B. Consider and appoint one individual to the Community Services Commission to fill one 3-year term that will expire on March 31, 2029, and up to two individuals to serve as alternates.

At the Regular City Council Meeting of March 16, 2026, Councilmember Nigsarian made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin, and carried unanimously that this item be continued to the Regular City Council Meeting of April 6, 2026, in order to allow City Council sufficient time to review and consider eligible commission applicants.

At its Regular Meeting of January 20, 2026, 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 24 applications were received for the Planning Commission and/or Community Services Commission vacancies by the application deadline.  Six (6) applicants withdrew from the process due to personal reasons and two (2) applicants do not live in the City and are not eligible for consideration.  An additional three (3) applicants did not respond to several attempts by staff to schedule their interviews.  

Therefore, the following 13 eligible applicants were interviewed by City Council on Monday, March 2, and Monday, March 16:    
 

Monday, March 2	Applicant	Commission(s) of Interest
3:00 p.m.	Edwin Urbina	Planning
3:15 p.m.	Natalie Saenz	Planning, Community Services
3:30 p.m.	Roy Ramsland	Planning
3:45 p.m.	Annette Limon	Community Services
4:00 p.m.	Keith Acker	Community Services
4:15 p.m.	Thomas Ludwinski	Planning, Community Services
4:30 p.m.	Peter Blied	Planning
4:45 p.m.	Giselle Vela	Community Services
5:00 p.m.	Ricardo Gonzalez	Planning
5:15 p.m.	Alfonso Rodriquez	Planning
Monday, March 16
3:30 p.m.	Nohemi Valenzuela	Community Services
4:00 p.m.	Kandace Gutierrez	Community Services
4:15 p.m.	Nadina Picarella	Community Services

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 Veronica Hannah has submitted her resignation from the Community Services Commission, effective May 31, 2026.

Incumbent Community Services Commissioner Annette Limon was appointed on March 20, 2023, for a 3-year term expiring March 31, 2026, and is eligible for re-appointment for an additional 3-year term. 

Incumbent Planning Commissioner Roy Ramsland was appointed on September 9, 2024, to fill an unscheduled vacancy with a term expiring March 31, 2026, and is eligible for re-appointment for an additional 4-year term.

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 2025-2026 City of La Habra Goals and Objectives: