REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Resignation of Planning Commissioner; Declare a Vacancy on the Planning Commission; and Set Process for Filling the Vacancy
Report
BACKGROUND
Michael O'Halloran submitted the attached resignation from the Planning Commission on June 9, 2018. Mr. O’Halloran was appointed to serve on May 12, 2015; therefore, one vacancy now exists on the Commission for a partial term ending June 30, 2019.
On April 10, 2018 a Special meeting was called to hold interviews for a different vacancy on the Planning Commission. A total of ten candidates were interviewed and two final applicants were chosen for a final interview at a future Council meeting. On May 22, 2018 an appointment was made to the Planning Commission.
DISCUSSION
Advertising of the vacancy will be communicated via the City’s website, social media and the City Manager’s blog. The City Clerk’s Office will also notify current commissioners, previous commissioners/committee and board members, as well as those on the interest list.
Because interviews were conducted so recently, and due to the upcoming Council recess and in order to balance upcoming agendas, two options have been prepared for Council’s consideration:
Option 1 - Appoint from Candidate Pool Interviewed on April 10, 2018
Council may revisit the applications and video recording of interviews conducted on April 10 in lieu of conducting a new recruitment process and holding additional interviews. If so directed, the City Clerk’s Office could contact the applicants from the previous recruitment and confirm continued interest to serve on the Planning Commission. In turn, a report would be brought to the July 17, 2018 Council meeting with confirmed interested candidates and Council could take action to appoint a member to the Planning Commission without further interviews. If the Council chooses this option, staff will provide information such as voting tallies and links to the April 10, 2018 Council Meeting as part of the July 17 staff report.
Option 2 - Open a New Recruitment and Set a Special Council Meeting for Interviews and Appointment
A new recruitment to fill the vacancy for the partial term could be opened. If so directed, the City Clerk’s Office would coordinate with the City Manager’s Office and the Mayor and Council Office to determine a date for a Special Council Meeting to conduct interviews and once a date was confirmed, would set the application deadline and begin advertisement through the City’s standard notification channels, including the City Manager Blog, social media, the City’s website, mailings and posting in City facilities.
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 report to council 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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Accept the resignation of Michael O'Halloran and declare one vacancy on the Planning Commission for the partial term ending June 30, 2019.
2. Direct the Acting City Clerk to contact the previous pool of candidates and interviews held on April 10, 2018 and solicit their interest for appointment at the July 17, 2018 Council meeting.
3. Set a Special Meeting for a date to be determined to conduct interviews and direct the Acting City Clerk to determine an application deadline and advertise the vacancy through the City’s standard notification channels, including the City Manager Blog, social media, the City’s website, and posting in City facilities.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1, Staff makes no recommendation regarding Alternatives 2 or 3 for the filling of the Planning Commission vacancy:
1. Accept the resignation of Michael O'Halloran and declare one vacancy on the Planning Commission for the partial term ending June 30, 2019.
Staff
Reviewed by: Jennifer Yamaguma, Acting City Clerk
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resignation Email