Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Appointment to the Planning Commission.
End
publichearing
End
From: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Appoint one member (Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho’s appointee) to the Planning Commission for a term ending December 2024, waiving other applicable requirements.
end
BACKGROUND
At the City Council Meeting on March 22, 2023, the Mayor and City Council appointed members to serve on the Planning Commission; Vice Mayor Ho appointed Jamison Power. The City Clerk’s Office received a resignation effective July 18, 2024 from Jamison Power. With this unexpected vacancy and remaining term, this item is being presented to provide Vice Mayor Ho the opportunity to appoint a member to the Planning Commission, to fill a term ending December 2024.
Appointment Eligibility and Process
The Mayor and City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2579 that amended the Westminster Municipal Code (“WMC”) relating to general rules and processes for appointments to CBCs by adding Chapter 2.42. Each City Council Member appoints a commissioner, and the appointment must then be approved by the majority of the City Council, per WMC 2.42.020(C).
Planning Commission members will be appointed to serve two-year terms (term ending December 2024) and will continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Reappointments are not automatic, and every member must submit a new application for consideration.
In accordance with the WMC, applicants are required to fill out an application and must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the City in order to qualify for appointment. The City Clerk’s Office verifies proof of residency by contacting the Orange County Registrar of Voters or by verifying that the applicant has 60 days of continuous documents at their residency address, such as utility bills. The applicant is also required to read and sign the Code of Ethics policy. Upon verification and submittal of all required documents, the application is considered received.
The Planning Commission is comprised of five members, each serving for a term of two years. The WMC Chapter 2.56 outlines various matters relating to this commission. Each member of the City Council shall nominate someone to the Planning Commission and appointment will be based on a majority vote of the City Council. The Planning Commissioners are paid $80.00 for each regular or adjourned meeting, but shall not exceed 36 meetings per year, pursuant to WMC Section 2.44.060.
At the time this staff report was prepared, the City Clerk’s Office had received application(s) for the following applicant(s):
|
PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANT |
|
1. |
Laura Sottile Rose |
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no costs incurred by the City for appointing members to the Planning Commission.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Vice Mayor Ho may appoint one member to the Planning Commission for a term ending December 2024, waiving any other applicable requirements.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 2597
2. Resignation Letter
3. Application
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager