Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Building and Housing Board of Appeals (Two Seats)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill vacancies on the Building and Housing Board of Appeals.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nominations and appointing individuals to serve as members of the Building and Housing Board of Appeals (two [2] vacancy); 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 Building and Housing Board of Appeals hears and decides appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the Chief Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of the Merced Municipal Code. The Board consists of five voting members, three of whom are registered or licensed professionals in the trades of design, engineering, construction, or inspection of buildings. In addition, the Chief Building Official serves as a non-voting, ex-officio member and acts as Secretary to the Board. Members meet as needed.
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 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 5,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment.
There are two members currently on the Building and Housing Board of Appeals that meet the requirements of the board to obtain three members that are registered or licensed professionals in the trades of design, engineering, construction, or inspection of buildings. Council must appoint one member to the Building and Housing Board of Appeals that meet the requirements of the Board.
Two (2) Members - The terms of Robert Dinuzzo and Casey Steed expired on July 1, 2024. Mr. Steed (meets license requirements) and Mr. Dinuzzo (meets license requirements) showed interest in being re-appointed and are eligible for a second full-term. In addition to this, the Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Angel Santellano, Arturo Martinez Jr., Jeffrey Hawks (meets license requirements), Jessica Fernandez, Maria Diaz, Mylia M. Chambers, Sabrina Abong, and Weston Boeding.
The matter of appointment to fill two seats on the Building and Housing Board of Appeals is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Building and Housing Board of Appeals Applications
2. Current Roster