Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, At-Large and One 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 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, At-Large and One 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
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Roles
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).
Past Council Actions
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.
Appointments - Terms
Members appointed to a Board or Commission shall serve a term of four years. When members resign or leave the Board or Commission in which they serve, the term dates remain the same. Per the Municipal Code, Sections 702 and 702.1, a "term" shall be defined to include serving fifty percent plus one day of a term as a board member or commissioner on a particular board or commission. Members who are appointed to a term that is less than fifty percent, are considered to serve partial terms. Additionally, partial terms begin once the member has been officially appointed to a Board or Commission by the City Council.
Recruitment
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of a social media push over several weeks coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms, a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 5,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment, and public notices sent to Merced County Times.
Applications
District 1 - The term for Dwight Ewing expired on July 1, 2025. Mr. Ewing has shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. In addition to Mr. Ewing’s application, the Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Ana Quintana, Craig Harmelin, and Curtis Thomas.
District 2 - This seat became vacant with the resignation of Anthony Aldana in April 2025. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a partial term ending on July 1, 2026. The Clerk’s Office did not receive any applications for this district.
District 3 - This seat became vacant with the resignation of William McClellan in October 2024. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a partial term ending on July 1, 2025. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Caroline Meraz, Eli Sachse, and Sabrina Abong.
District 4 - The term for Michael Meloy expired on July 1, 2025. Mr. Meloy informed our office that he is not interested in re-applying for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Mylia Chambers, Omar Sandoval, Peggy Hsu, and William Watkins.
District 6 - This seat became vacant with the resignation of Ashwin Thomas in March 2025. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a partial term ending on July 1, 2026. The Clerk’s Office did not receive any applications for this district.
At-Large - The term for Peggy Hsu expired on July 1, 2025. Ms. Hsu has shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. In addition to Ms. Hsu’s application, the Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Ana Quintana, Caroline Meraz, Craig Harmelin, Curtis Thomas, Dwight Ewing, Eli Sachse, Mylia Chambers, Omar Sandoval, Peggy Hsu, Sabrina Abong, and William Watkins.
Ex-Officio - This seat became vacant with the resignation of Randal Pellissier in August 2024. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2028. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applicants from Ana Quintana, Caroline Meraz, Craig Harmelin, Delvina Johnson, Eli Sachse, and William Watkins.
The matter of appointment to fill seven seats on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Applications
2. Current Roster