Report Prepared by: John Tresidder, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Confirmation of Appointment (1) - Planning Commission
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers confirming the appointment of Sonia Alshami to the Planning Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nomination and appointing Sonia Alshami to the Planning Commission; or,
B. Accepting nomination and appointing one of the other eligible applicants to the Planning Commission; or,
C. Directing the Clerk’s Office to continue recruitment for the vacancy.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Confirm the appointment of Sonia Alshami to the Planning Commission; or,
2. Appoint another individual to the Planning Commission; or,
2. Refer to staff with direction to resume the recruitment of applicants.
AUTHORITY
Article VII, Sections 700, 702, 702.1, 707 and 708 of the Merced City Charter.
DISCUSSION
At the October 4, 2017 Special Meeting of the City Council to conduct Planning Commission interviews, an oversight by the Clerk’s Office erroneously allowed the appointment of Sonia Alshami to the Commission.
Ms. Alshami received a majority support of the 5 Council Members present at the meeting with a 3-2 vote but per the City of Merced Charter section 702.(below), 4 affirmative votes are required for appointment to a City board or commission.
• Sec. 702. - Appointments-Terms.
The members of each of such boards or commissions shall be appointed by motion of the City Council adopted by at least four affirmative votes, and shall be subject to removal by motion of the City Council adopted by at least five affirmative votes. The members thereof shall serve for a term of four years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. For purposes of this Section and Section 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, while service as a board member or commissioner on a particular board or commission for fifty percent or less of a term shall not constitute a term for purposes of term limits in Section 702.1 hereof.
Therefore, the Clerk’s Office is bringing this item before Council for action to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission.
The applicants are:
Sonia Alshami
Daniel Caris
Mallory Hultgren
Rick McMillion
Emily Sousa
The current roster for the Commission and applications are attached. The matter of appointment to this Commission is now before the Council.
History and Past Actions:
The Planning Commission, created by City Charter, studies land subdivision, planning, and zoning matters. The Commission recommends to the City Council the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the City’s Master Plan for the physical development of the City. The Commission consists of seven members who are qualified electors of the City of Merced. Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Roster
2. Application of Sonia Alshami
3. Application of Daniel Caris
4. Application of Mallory Hultgren
5. Application of Rick McMillion
6. Application of Emily Sousa