Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Continued from the March 12, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting - City Council Appointments to City Commissions for 2025-2027.
End
From: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Consider the applications and appoint members to the following Commissions and Committees:
A. One regular member (District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen’s appointee) to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a term to expire in December 2026, waiving other applicable requirements;
B. Two regular members (District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen’s appointees) to the Planning Commission for a term to expire in December 2026, waiving other applicable requirements;
C. One regular member (District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen’s appointee) to the Cultural Arts Commission for a term to expire in December 2026, waiving other applicable requirements; and
D. One regular member (District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen’s appointee) to the Traffic Commission for a term to expire in December 2026, waiving other applicable requirements.
end
BACKGROUND
Every two years after a General Municipal Election, Westminster residents and members of the community are invited to submit applications for the following City Commissions, Boards, and Committees (“CBC”):
• Citizens Oversight Committee (Measure Y and E)
• Cultural Arts Commission
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Planning Commission
• Traffic Commission
The recruitment process has been ongoing and included posting notices at various physical locations throughout the Civic Center and community, publishing on the City’s website and social media, as well as contacting current Commission, Board, and Committee members. The City Clerk has invited the community to apply during various City Council meetings and has distributed applications.
The original recruitment deadline was December 31, 2024 and was extended to January 15, 2025.
The City Clerk’s Office placed an item on January 22, 2025, City Council agenda for consideration and appointment, however, the Mayor and City Council voted to continue the item to the February 12, 2025 meeting.
During the February 26, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen appointed John Gentile to the Planning Commission. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, Mr. Gentile alerted the City Clerk’s Office declining the appointment. Additionally, during the February 26, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen appointed Tim Hogan to the Parks & Recreation Commission. On Monday, March 3, 2025, Mr. Hogan alerted the City Clerk’s Office declining the appointment.
During the March 12, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen appointed Charles Nguyen to the Planning Commission. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Mr. Nguyen alerted the City Clerk’s Office declining the appointment.
This item is being presented to provide District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen the opportunity to make their appointments for the Boards and Commissions, with a term ending December 2026.
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 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).
Each appointment will be appointed to serve two-year terms 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 ethics policy adopted in 2021. Upon verification and submittal of all required documents, the applicant is considered received.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Planning Commission is composed of five members, each serving for a term of two years. WMC Chapter 2.56 outlines various matters relating to this commission. Each member of the City Council shall nominate someone to the Parks & Recreation Commission and appointment will be based on a majority vote of the City Council. The Parks & Recreation Commissioners are paid $50 for each regular and adjourned meeting but shall not exceed $100 in any one calendar month, pursuant to WMC 2.56.070.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is composed of five members, each serving for a term of two years. WMC Chapter 2.44 outlines various matters relating to this commission. Each member of the City Council shall nominate someone to the Planning Commission and the appointment will be based on a majority vote of the City Council. The Planning Commissioners are paid $80 for each regular and adjourned meeting, but shall not exceed 36 meetings per year, pursuant to WMC 2.44.060.
Cultural Arts Commission
The Cultural Arts Commission is composed of five members, each serving for a term of two years. WMC Chapter 2.57 outlines various matters relating to this commission. Each member of the City Council shall nominate someone to the Cultural Arts Commission and appointment will be based on a majority vote of the City Council. The Cultural Arts Commissioners do not receive any compensation.
Traffic Commission
The Traffic Commission is composed of five members, each serving for a term of two years. The WMC Chapter 10.12 outlines various matters relating to this commission. Each member of the City Council shall nominate someone to the Traffic Commission and the appointment will be based on a majority vote of the City Council. The Traffic Commissioners are paid $50 for each meeting, with maximum compensation of $100, whichever is less, pursuant to WMC 10.12.080 (f).
Applicants
At the time this staff report was prepared, the City Clerk’s Office had received applications for the following applicants:
|
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPLICANTS |
|
1. |
Ashton Kauwe |
|
2. |
Christine Hernandez* |
|
PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS |
|
1. |
Jodi Boyd |
|
2. |
Laura Sottile Rose* |
|
3. |
Ashton Kauwe |
|
4. |
Donald Lank |
|
5. |
Tony Bui* |
|
6. |
Nhan Tran |
|
CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION APPLICANTS |
|
1. |
Lisa Martynec |
|
2. |
Donald Lank |
|
TRAFFIC COMMISSION APPLICANTS |
|
1. |
Ashton Kauwe |
|
2. |
John Gentile |
|
3. |
Alin Hamade |
*Currently serving on the Commission or Committee
FISCAL IMPACT
There is compensation in the form of stipends for attendance at regular or adjourned regular meetings for specific Commission to include:
• Parks & Recreation Commission - $50 per meeting, Account No. 10300-40020; and
• Planning Commission - $80 per meeting, Account No. 10100-40020; and
• Traffic Commission - $50 per meeting, Account No. 10200-40020
The Cultural Arts Commission does not receive compensation. Funds are budgeted and available in the various General Fund accounts as listed above.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Consider the various applicants and proceed to appoint.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Applications (Redacted)
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager