CA Review CKM
Meeting Date: Oct. 28, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Melissa Rhodes, Deputy City Clerk
[email protected], 442-339-2007
Subject: Mayoral Appointment of One Member to the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee
Districts: All
Rec
ommended Action
Adopt a resolution appointing one member to the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee.
Executive Summary
The City Council is being asked to appoint one member to the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee.
The committee is an advisory body with the authority to discuss, study and recommend courses of action in its member cities. The committee may consider issues raised by any of its members as well as issues referred to the committee by any member city.
Explanation & Analysis
Carlsbad is represented on the committee by three members, with two appointees being City Council members and one a member of the public.
Committee Member Glen Stimmel was appointed to the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee in June 2021 to fill the expired term of Committee Member Don Jackson. There is a scheduled vacancy on the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee for a term ending in June 2029. Commissioner Stimmel is eligible for but is not seeking reappointment.
The City Clerk’s Office received six applications from residents wishing to serve on the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee. In keeping with City Council Policy No. 88, the Mayor has chosen the following applicants to advance in the process and interview with the full City Council:
• Connor Sakati – District 1
• Lisa Stark – District 3
E
xhibit 2 contains the applications of the applicants moving forward in the interview process.
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 1 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 The Maddy Act (California Government Code Sections 54970-54974) requires that on or before December 31 of each year the legislative body must prepare a local appointments list that contains the appointive terms of board and commission members that will expire in the next calendar year. The name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment and the term expiration date is also included on the list. Based on the prepared list, the City Clerk’s Office accepts applications – available on the city’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office – for any upcoming vacancies.
The current members of the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee are:
• Mayor Keith Blackburn
• Council Member Kevin Shin
Members of the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee are subject to the provisions of California’s Political Reform Act of 1974 and must file statements of economic interest each year, complete two hours of ethics and workplace harassment prevention training every two years and adhere to the City of Carlsbad Boards, Commissions and Committees Code of Ethics & Public Service Values.
Fiscal Analysis
This action has no financial impact.
Next Steps
Following the appointment of one member to the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee, the City Clerk’s Office will update the committee roster and coordinate the oath of office and the filing of the appointee’s statement of economic interest, ethics training certificates and the signing of the City of Carlsbad Boards, Commissions and Committees Code of Ethics & Public Service Values.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) because appointing an individual to act as a city representative on a board, commission or committee is an organizational or administrative government activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The activities or projects undertaken by or that may be considered by a board, commission or committee may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
2. Applications received from residents advancing to the interview process Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 2 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-237 .
A R
ESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING ONE MEMBER TO THE BUENA VISTA LAGOON
JOINT POWERS COMMITTEE
WH
EREAS, Committee Member Glen Stimmel was appointed to the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee in June 2021 to fill the expired term of Committee Member Don Jackson; and WHEREAS, Committee Member Stimmel is eligible for and not seeking reappointment; and WHEREAS, a scheduled vacancy on the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee exists with a term ending in June 2029.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) because appointing an individual to act as a city representative on a board, commission or committee is an organizational or administrative government activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The activities or projects undertaken by or that may be considered by a board, c ommission or committee may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.
3. That the following Carlsbad resident is appointed to serve on the Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee, for a term ending in June 2029, or until a replacement is appointed:
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 3 of 10
Connor Sakati
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 PASSED, APPR OVED AND ADOPTED at a Regula r Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 28th day of October, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
_______
_______________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_______
_______________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 4 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671
October 6, 2025 11:59 AM
Boards, Commissions and Committees
Application for Appointment
Agricultural Mitigation Fee
Committee
Arts Commission Beach Preservation
Commission
Community-Police Engagement
Commission
Historic Preservation
Commission
Housing Commission
Library Board of Trustees Parks & Recreation
Commission
Planning Commission
Senior Commission Traffic Safety & Mobility
Commission
Investment Review Board
Personal Information
Name
Connor Sakati
Date of Birth:
Required for Voter Registration Verification
Home Address District No. 1
City ZIP
Primary Phone Secondary Phone
E-mail
Employment Status Employed
Occupation Criminal Prosecutor
Employer California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Division Employer Address
Work Phone Mobile
Acknowledgements
Yes No
I am a resident of the City of Carlsbad. X
I am a registered voter in Carlsbad. X
I am willing to file financial disclosure statements. X I am willing to complete two hours of state mandated ethics training every two years. X Are you currently an officer of or employed by the City of Carlsbad? X I am a Citizens Academy graduate. X
I am familiar with the responsibilities of the board/commission/committee(s) on which I wish to serve. X I am willing to be interviewed regarding my qualifications for appointment by the City Council or at the request of an individual Council member. X
Are you currently or have you ever been under contract with the City of Carlsbad? If yes, please explain below. X
Exhibit 2
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 5 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 Interest
Although I work at the California Department of Justice prosecuting criminal cases and serve in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Judge Advocate practicing military law, I have long been interested in environmental and natural resources management. Before attending law school, I was a high school biology and earth science teacher.
There, I had the opportunity to teach my students about environmental stewardship and conservation--and teach them to debate and inquire into the tough tradeoffs those decisions often require. Then, in graduate school, I took a number of courses on the law and policy of natural resources management and published a number of scholarly articles on resource management issues. Now, I am looking for ways to give back that permit me to engage with this passion and put these skills I have built to use for my community. And, as a newer Carlsbad resident (we relocated to settle near my fiancées family), I am looking for ways to become more involved in my new community.
Please describe your educational background
I attended Georgetown University as undergraduate. Then, I attended Duke University for graduate school, where I earned a law degree and a master's degree in public policy. While in graduate school, I took a number of courses related to environmental law, natural resources management, and land use issues. Additionally, before taking my present position, I clerked for the Nevada Supreme Court, where I helped the Justices of that court decide cases and write opinions. A number of environmental, administrative law, and ethics cases came before that court during my tenure. On the military side, I have completed a number of courses and trainings, to include most recently a four-month course on military and government law.
Please describe relevant experience
Please see my first response under the "interest" category. I would like to avoid redundancy, and I believe that answer covers this answer, as well.
Please describe your current or past community involvement As an attorney, I have been involved in a number of pro bono projects, providing legal services for free for those unable to pay. Of note, I have been particularly involved assisting Afghan ally asylum claimants with their cases and applications here in the United States. Additionally, as a high school teacher, I was deeply involved in my community, coaching two different sports (track and cross country) and also volunteering for a number of school events. Lastly, I serve in the U.S. Army Reserve, currently as a Judge Advocate with the 117th Legal Operations Division.
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 6 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 Please list all service on boards, commissions or committees, private or public agencies, (including non-profit organizations)
I currently serve on several boards within the American Bar Association, which help manage that organization's criminal law and environmental law programming.
Additional information or comments
Please note that I am barred in several other jurisdictions; I recently moved to California, and my California admission is still pending. Thank you very much for your time and your consideration! Submittal Information
Submit Date: October 6, 2025 11:59 AM
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 7 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 September 5, 2025 11:20 AM
Boards, Commissions and Committees
Application for Appointment
Agricultural Mitigation Fee
Committee
Arts Commission Beach Preservation
Commission
Community-Police Engagement
Commission
Historic Preservation
Commission
Housing Commission
Library Board of Trustees Parks & Recreation
Commission
Planning Commission
Senior Commission Traffic Safety & Mobility
Commission
Investment Review Board
Personal Information
Name
Lisa Stark
Date of Birth:
Required for Voter Registration Verification
Home Address District No. 3
City ZIP
Primary Phone Secondary Phone
E-mail
Employment Status Employed
Occupation Deputy District Attorney
Employer San Diego County District Attorney
Employer Address
Work Phone Mobile
Acknowledgements
Yes No
I am a resident of the City of Carlsbad. X
I am a registered voter in Carlsbad. X
I am willing to file financial disclosure statements. X I am willing to complete two hours of state mandated ethics training every two years. X Are you currently an officer of or employed by the City of Carlsbad? X I am a Citizens Academy graduate. X
I am familiar with the responsibilities of the board/commission/committee(s) on which I wish to serve. X I am willing to be interviewed regarding my qualifications for appointment by the City Council or at the request of an individual Council member. X
Are you currently or have you ever been under contract with the City of Carlsbad? If yes, please explain below. X
Explanation: Not really "under contract" but served as a member and then Chair of the Carlsbad Beach Preservation Commission from 2021-2025; I was also a member of the Growth Commission when they formulated a new plan in 2024
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Item #3 Page 8 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 Interest
I have a vested interest in the City of Carlsbad, its beaches and environmental sustainability because I have lived here for 25 years as a citizen. I learned while working for the City as a Beach Commissioner that the Rue de Chateaux beach is badly in need of some attention in terms of sand replenishment and that the Buena Vista Lagoon is badly in need of dredging and cleaning up due to the invasive plant and mosquito infestation. I researched the issue and discovered additional funding is needed for the Lagoon, which will directly affect the Rue de Chateaux beach. I would love to serve on this Committee.
Please describe your educational background
I have a J.D. from the University of New Mexico and bar cards to practice law in both New Mexico and California. I have been a prosecutor with the DA's office for SD County for 21 years. I am also a certified Yoga instructor since 2012 and have been teaching yoga for free for the community since then.
Please describe relevant experience
My knowledge of the issues surrounding the Buena Vista Lagoon makes me uniquely qualified for this position. In fact, I wrote a Memo to the Beach Commission that was distributed in May 2025 with suggestions on how to improve the Rue de Chateaux beach, which relates to the Lagoon due to its proximity. I am aware that Carlsbad needs to work with the Dept of Fish and Wildlife to get the Lagoon back to a healthy status. I'm aware that the weir installation has caused environmental degradation and poor water quality and circulation. The project to clean it up was stagnated during the time I was on the Beach Commission and I'm beyond thrilled at the recent granting of funds to SANDAG and wish to help implement the project. I would love to serve on this Committee.
Please describe your current or past community involvement During my time on the Beach Commission, I attended almost all meetings, suggested a spreadsheet to release to the public about the status of sand replenishment projects in Carlsbad, and was elected Chair due to my contributions. I regularly attended beach cleanup events and independently review and report issues concerning our beaches.
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 9 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671 Please list all service on boards, commissions or committees, private or public agencies, (including non-profit organizations)
Chair of Carlsbad Beach Preservation Commission until it changed to the Environmental Sustainability Commission in August of 2025
Additional information or comments
I have a special interest in the Ocean and water ecology issues, having studied Oceanography at San Diego State for a time - long ago.
Submittal Information
Submit Date: September 5, 2025 11:20 AM
Oct. 28, 2025
Item #3 Page 10 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 4D0E177E-04C4-46FA-B61D-1ECCAF395671