REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Reappointment of Board and Commission Members, Declaring Commissioner Vacancies, and Setting Dates for Recruitment and Interviews
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Board, Commission and Committee members are generally appointed to a four-year term (full term) and may serve a maximum of two consecutive full terms. In the case where an existing member is eligible for another term, past City practice has been for staff to contact those existing members and inquire if the member would like to be considered for re-appointment to serve another term. The Council then takes formal action to reappoint those existing members who indicate a desire to serve a second term. If an individual is appointed to fill a partial term, he or she may serve an additional two full terms. Full terms are effective July 1st of the appointing year and expire on June 30th of the fourth year.
DISCUSSION
Staff has continued with the past practice of reaching out to the incumbents eligible for reappointment and inquiring if there is a desire to continue to serve a second term. Regular attendance is one of the requirements to serve on a Board or Commission, staff has attached an attendance roster (Attachment 1) of all Boards and Commissions for Council’s review.
The terms for the following commissioners will expire on June 30, 2024; staff has reached out to all eligible incumbents and those who wished to be considered for reappointment to serve another term ending June 30, 2028 are listed below:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (2) Betsy Megas
Perry Pennvenne
Cultural Commission (2) Candida Diaz
Paul McNamara
Parks and Recreation Commission (1) Dana Caldwell
Planning Commission (2) Eric Crutchlow
Lance Saleme
Senior Advisory Commission (2) Judy Hubbard
Srinivasan Manivannan
The following commissioners have served two full terms which will each end on June 30, 2024: creating two vacancies for a full-term each ending June 30, 2028 on the Board of Library Trustees:
Leonne Broughman
Jan Hintermeister
Resignations
• The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) has a vacancy due to a resignation for a partial term ending June 30, 2025.
• The Cultural Commission received a resignation on January 8, 2024 effective immediately creating a vacancy for a partial term ending June 30, 2027.
Commissioners not seeking reappointment
• Civil Service Commissioner Tahir Naim will finish out his term ending June 30, 2024 and will not seek reappointment; therefore, a vacancy will be created for a full-term ending June 30, 2028.
• Parks and Recreation Commissioner Cox will finish out her term ending June 30, 2024 and will not seek reappointment; therefore, a vacancy will be created for a full-term ending June 30, 2028.
Due to the above vacancies, staff recommends that the Council declare vacancies for four (6) positions: one (1) partial term ending on June 30, 2025 on the BPAC; one (1) partial term ending on June 30, 2027 on the Cultural Commission; three (4) full terms each ending on June 30, 2028 two on the Board of Library Trustees; one on the Parks and Recreation Commission; and one of the Civil Service Commission; and set the recruitment to begin on February 9, 2024 with an application deadline of March 22, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.; and set April 16, 2024 as the tentative date to conduct interviews.
Staff will bring forward Special Orders of Business to recognize outgoing commissioners at a future Council meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than administrative staff time and expense.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Reappoint the nine (9) eligible commissioners to serve a four-year term each ending June 30, 2028;
2. Declare six (6) positions to be filled:
• One (1) partial term ending June 30, 2025 on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; and
• One (1) partial term ending June 30, 2027 on the Cultural Commission
• Four (4) full terms each ending on June 30, 2028, two on the Board of Library Trustees; one on the Parks and Recreation Commission; and one on the Civil Service Commission;
3. Set the recruitment to open on Friday, February 8, 2024;
4. Set Friday, March 19, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. as the application deadline; and
5. Set Tuesday, April 16, 2024 to conduct interviews.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Board/Commissions Attendance Roster 2023-2024