REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Appointment to fill a partial term on the Planning Commission ending June 30, 2022
Report
BACKGROUND
On December 5, 2018 Raj Chahal resigned from the Planning Commission as he was elected to the City Council. At the January 15, 2019 Council meeting, Council declared the Commission vacancy for a partial term ending June 30, 2022.
DISCUSSION
The vacancy was advertised on the City’s website, via social media and the City Manager’s blog. Additionally, an email notification was sent to all those on the interest list, as well as current and former commissioners. Past City practice has been to hold the Planning Commission interviews at a regular or special City Council meeting.
The City Clerk’s office received applications (Attachment 1) from the following candidates by the February 22, 2019 deadline. The City Attorney reviewed the applications for potential issues involving conflicts of interest and incompatible offices. The information on the applications was insufficient to determine if there were potential conflicts.
All applicants listed have confirmed their interest to proceed for further consideration.
1. Nancy Biagini
2. Rich Brunner, Jr.
3. Jayapriya Cherukuru
4. Suzanne Decker
5. Qian Huang
6. MV Kumar
7. Edward Liang
8. Vicente Lovelace
9. Ashish Mangla
10. Tahir Naim
11. John Padilla
12. Srdjan Pantic
13. Kirankumar Shinde
14. Keith Stattenfield
15. Megan Swartzwelder
16. Vandana Upadhyay
Attached are the Voting Guidelines (Attachment 2) for the appointment to Boards and Commissions which outline the process for conducting interviews and casting votes by Council.
In addition, if Council deems appropriate, staff is recommending that an eligibility list be established that may be used to fill vacancies which may occur in the following 12 months. The terms of two Commissioners are expiring on June 30, 2019. If the incumbents do not seek reappointment or if future resignations occur the Council will have an approved candidate pool for appointment of commissioners.
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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint one candidate to the Planning Commission to serve a partial term ending June 30, 2022.
2. Establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill vacancies that may occur during the 12 months after establishing the list.
3. Do not appoint a candidate to the Planning Commission.
4. Do not establish an eligibility list.
5. Any other action the Council deems appropriate.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternatives 1& 2:
1. Appoint one candidate to the Planning Commission to serve a partial term ending June 30, 2022; and
2. Establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill vacancies that may occur during the 12 months after establishing the list.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Applications
2. Voting Guidelines