CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 18, 2016
PREPARED BY: Irma Torrez, City Clerk
APPROVED BY: Steve Rymer, City Manager
Title
INTERVIEWS TO FILL ONE (1) VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
1. Discuss the characteristics/traits Council is seeking in candidates to serve on the Planning Commission;
2. Conduct interviews; and
3. Council to identify top candidates and provide recommendation to the Mayor.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Fostering a positive organizational culture
Preserving and cultivating public trust
2016 Focus Areas
Planning our Community
Developing our Community
Improving our Communication
REPORT NARRATIVE:
A Municipal Election was held on November 8, 2016 to elect Morgan Hill officers to the City Council. Planning Commissioner Rene Spring was elected to serve on the City Council. On December 7, 2016, the City Council accepted Mr. Spring’s resignation from the Planning Commission and directed recruitment efforts to fill the unexpired term on said Commission.
Recruitment efforts resulted in eleven (11) applications for Council consideration: Robert Guynn, Susan Koepp-Baker, Wendy Makdissy, Tom Mumby, Jeffrey S. Prickett, James P. Realini, Michael Leslie Robertson, Joseph Zahsiya, Troy Knapp, Yvonne Martinez, and Rachael Castro. All applicants have been invited to interview before the City Council at the January 18, 2017 meeting. The applications are attached for Council consideration.
Chapter 2.22.010.B. of the Municipal Code states:
“B. Unless otherwise set forth, all members of boards, commissions and committees shall be residents of the city and shall continue to be residents of the city during their terms of office. Notwithstanding the foregoing, individuals who reside within the Morgan Hill Unified School District boundary and who do not otherwise reside in any city other than Morgan Hill may be appointed to boards, commissions and committees provided that no more than thirty percent of the members of any board, commission or committee shall be non-Morgan Hill residents.”
There is one current Planning Commissioner who does not reside within the Morgan Hill City Limits, but resides within the Morgan Hill Unified School District Boundary. Based on this Section of the Municipal Code, no more than two (2) of the seven (7) Commissioners can be appointed to serve on the Planning Commission who reside outside the City Limits, but within the Morgan Hill Unified School District boundary.
Along with the applicant appointed to serve former Planning Commissioner Spring’s unexpired term, two other Planning Commissioners will have terms due to expire as well on June 1, 2017: John McKay and Michael Orosco. In early spring 2017, recruitment efforts will be undertaken to fill the three upcoming vacancies on the Planning Commission.
Attached is the Council’s Fundamental Principles for a Recruitment, Interview and Appointment Process; the process the Council uses to fill vacancies on boards and commissions. Also attached are: Chapter 2.22 - Master Provisions for Boards and Commissioners, and Chapter 2.36 - Planning Commission (Morgan Hill Municipal Code). The Mayor will return with a recommended appointment and seek Council ratification during the regular meeting of January 18, 2017 beginning at 7:00 pm.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Involve
Recruitment efforts were undertaken to encourage citizens to apply for City Council appointment consideration to the Planning Commission via the Morgan Hill Times, City Website, Government Access Channel, and social media.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
Not applicable.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
On December 7, 2016, the City Council accepted the resignation of Rene Spring from the Planning Commission and directed that recruitment efforts be undertaken to fill the Planning Commission vacancy.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
No fiscal impact associated with the action to interview and appoint as the recruitment and appointment process is accommodated in the Administrative Services operating budget.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a project.
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
1. Fundamental Principles for a Recruitment, Interview and Appointment Process
2. Chapter 2.22 - Master Provisions for Boards and Commissions
3. Chapter 2.36 - Planning Commission
4. Applications