Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Planning Commission (Districts 4 and 6)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill seats on the Planning Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nominations and appointing individuals to serve as members of the Planning Commission (District 4 and 6); 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
Planning Commission Roles
The Planning Commission holds public hearings to periodically update the City’s General Plan and to review applications for discretionary development within the City, including recommendations for projects requiring final City Council action. In doing so, it studies land subdivisions, planning, and zoning matters, and recommends to the City Council the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the City’s General Plan for the physical development of the City. The Planning Commission also serves as the Design Review/Historic Preservation Commission and as the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
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 4 - The partial term of Conchita Swiggart expired on July 1, 2025. Mrs. Swiggart has shown interest in being re-appointed to the Planning Commission. The applicant appointed will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. In addition to Mrs. Swiggart’s application, the Clerk’s Office also received eligible applications from Brenda Morgun, Eric Chu, Karla Seijas, and Keirah Jones.
District 6 - The term of Jose Delgadillo expired on July 1, 2025. Mr. Delgadillo has shown interest in being re-appointed to the Planning Commission. The applicant appointed will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. In addition to Mr. Delgadillo’s application, the Clerk’s Office also received an eligible application from Jerry Vue.
The matter of appointment to fill two seats on the Planning Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Applications
2. Current Roster