Report Prepared by: Jennifer Levesque, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Districts 2 and 6) (1 At-Large) and (3 Ex-Officio)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill vacancies on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nominations and appointing individuals to serve as members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Districts 2 and 6) (1 At-Large) and (3 Ex-Officio); or,
B. Accepting nominations and appointing as many members as Council sees appropriate and directing staff to continue the recruitment of applicants.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Direct the Clerk’s Office to continue recruitment for the vacancies.
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code, Section 3.38.050.
DISCUSSION
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council on matters relating to improving conditions for bicycling, pedestrian activity, and other modes of active transportation within the City of Merced, as well as the mobility needs of the elderly and those with disabilities. It is the intent of the City Council to improve conditions for users of all active modes in the City of Merced, promote active transportation with the associated benefits of improved air quality, improved safety conditions for users of all modes, health benefits, and to advise on matters of policy, programs, and bike routes for active transportation users of all ages. The Commission also helps to implement policy, programs, and bike routes. Of the 7 voting members, 6 are appointed by Council District and 1 is appointed at-large. City Council may appoint up to an additional 4 Ex-Officio (non-voting members).
At the Council meeting of March 21, 2022, staff was directed to return to a yearly appointment process for the reappointment of eligible members and the appointment of new applicants to vacant board or commission seats.
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of two 1/4 page ads in the Merced County Times in May and June, a social media push over several weeks coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms, and a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 3,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment.
District 2 - This seat has been vacant since the commission moved to Council district appointments in 2020. The Clerk’s Office received no eligible applicants during the recruitment period.
District 6 - This seat became vacant with the resignation of Ann Thurston in November of 2021. The Clerk’s Office received no eligible applicants during the recruitment period.
At-Large - This seat became vacant with the resignation of Adam Klier in May of 2022. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Peggy Hsu and Ralph Morris.
Ex-Officio (3) - The term of Christine Chavez expired on July 1, 2022. Ms. Chavez is eligible and has expressed a desire to be reappointed to the seat. Two additional vacant Ex-Officio seats were created by the resignations of Margaret Buchmann-Garcia and Mitchel Vanagten. Any of the aforementioned applicants not appointed to the vacancies listed above and one additional application from Mary Buhl are eligible for appointment to these Ex-Officio seats.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Applications
2. Current Roster