REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Reappointment of Commissioners and Declaring Commissioner Vacancies, Setting of a Date for an Application Deadline, and Scheduling of Interviews
Report
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 request if they would like to be re-appointed to 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
Given the lack of a formal policy, 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. Staff reached out to all those incumbents on March 28, 2019 and the following eight (8) commissioners have indicated a desire to be reappointed for the full term ending June 30, 2023 as their current terms end June 30, 2019:
Board of Library Trustees Stephen Ricossa
Civil Service Commission Willie Brown
Civil Service Commission Carolyn McAllister
Cultural Commission Debra von Huene
Historical and Landmarks Commission Patricia Leung
Parks and Recreation Commission Burt Field
Planning Commission Suds Jain
Senior Advisory Commission Barbara A. “Bobbi” Estrada
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 following commissioner has declined possible reappointment, creating a vacancy for a full-term ending June 30, 2023 to serve on the Historical and Landmarks Commission.
Historical and Landmarks Commission Priya Cherukuru
The following commissioners have served two full terms and are not eligible for reappointment. Therefore, there is now one vacancy for a full-term ending June 30, 2023 for each committee and commission listed below.
Cultural Commission Loretta Beavers
Parks and Recreation Commission Tino Silva
Housing Rehabilitation Loan Committee Bianca Wilczoch
Senior Advisory Commission Nancy Toledo
Due to these vacancies, staff recommends that the Council declare vacancies for full-term appointment to these commissions, set an application deadline of May 31, 2019; and direct staff to schedule interviews for a future Council meeting date.
Staff will also 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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Reappoint the eight (8) eligible commissioners for the term ending June 30, 2023;
2. Declare vacancies for full-term appointments to the following: 1) Cultural Commission; 2) Parks and Recreation Commission; 3) Housing Rehabilitation Loan Committee; 4) Historical and Landmarks Commission; and 5) Senior Advisory Commission, with an application deadline of May 31, 2019; and
3. Direct staff to schedule interviews for a future Council meeting.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Commissioner’s Attendance List 2018-2019