REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the appointment of Qian Huang to the Planning Commission to serve a partial term ending June 30, 2021
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
On August 24, 2020, the City Council interviewed 10 Planning Commission applicants and appointed Ricci Herro to fill the one vacancy on the commission. In addition to making that appointment, the City Council established an eligibility list to expire on June 30, 2021 in the event any resignation should occur.
At the November 3, 2020 General Municipal election both Anthony Becker and Sudhanshu Jain were elected to serve on the City Council. They both submitted letters of resignation from the Planning Commission effective December 7, 2020, therefore two vacancies were created on the Planning Commission. The City Council accepted the resignations at the December 8, 2020 Council meeting. The two partial vacant terms end on June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2023.
DISCUSSION
City Charter Section 1006 states:
“There shall be a City Planning Commission consisting of seven members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government….”
On August 24, 2020, Council interviewed and appointed Ricci Herro to the Planning Commission. The Council approved the creation of an eligibility list to fill any vacancies that would occur through June 30, 2021.
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Neill, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to add Qian Huang to the eligibility list (expiring on June 30, 2021) for automatic appointment if a vacancy were to occur.
A second motion was made by Councilmember O'Neill, seconded by Vice Mayor Hardy, to add Yashraj Bhatnagar and Ali Zargari to the same eligibility list if a vacancy were to occur.
Council may consider making the automatic appointment tonight and staff will return at a future meeting date with options on filling the second partial term from the eligibility list put in place by former Council action. Alternatively, the Council may direct staff to open a recruitment to the public to fill the position.
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. Declare two partial term vacancies: one term ending on June 30, 2021 and the second term ending June 30, 2023; and
2. Appoint Qian Huang to fill one partial term ending June 30, 2021, and staff will return at a future meeting date to consider options on filling the second vacancy from the eligibility list put in place by former council action or open a recruitment to the public to fill the position.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Planning Commission Application - Qian Huang
2. Planning Commission Applications - Yashraj Bhatnagar and Ali Zargari