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July 8, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Planning Commission Vacancy: Nominate Applicants to be Interviewed, Determine a Date and Time for an Open Meeting to Conduct Interviews of All Qualified Applicants Who Receive Two or More Nominations to Fill One Vacancy on the Planning Commission.
Report Number: 25-0185
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Clerk
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
A) Discuss and nominate applicants who submitted qualified applications during the application period to be interviewed. The qualified applicants are: Judy Alvarez-Gallardo, Tim P. Jones, Janet Knowlton, Tomas Ortiz, and James Smyth.
B) Select a date and time for an open City Council meeting to conduct interviews for applicants who receive two or more nominations.
SUMMARY
Under Chula Vista Municipal Code (CVMC) Chapter 2.53, City Council members will make nominations from the list of qualified applicants for those they wish to interview. The City Council will then collectively set a date and time to conduct the interviews. All qualified applicants who receive two or more nominations will be invited to an interview. The following report provides additional information on the process and current vacancy.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that this activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that this activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND
Planning Commissioner Krista Burroughs served the maximum number of consecutive terms allowed, with the current term expiring on June 30, 2025, resulting in one vacant seat.
APPOINTMENT PROCESS STEPS
The basic steps for the appointment process for a vacant Planning Commission seat when the incumbent’s term has ended are as follows:
A. The City Clerk reviews applications to ensure they meet the basic qualifications specified in the Municipal Code, including that the application was received during the ap plication period, the applicant is a resident of the City, and the application was received with the required components (e.g., a resume and letter of recommendation).
B. The City Clerk provides the qualified applications to the City Council and the public at the same time, at least 72 hours before the nominations meeting (see Attachment 1). City Councilmembers must independently review all applications.
C. When five or more qualified applications are received, the appointment process is a two -step process:
1. The City Clerk places an item on a City Council agenda for Councilmembers to nominate applicants to interview. Applicants receiving two or more nominations will be invited to interview. At that meeting, the City Council sets a date and time to hold an open meeting to conduct the interviews.
2. The meeting is held to conduct the interviews, during which time the public has the opportunity to speak before and after the interviews. Following the interviews, City Council publicly deliberates and appoints a person. The affirmative votes of at least three Councilmembers are required to make the appointment.
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CURRENT VACANCY DETAILS
Seat Vacated. The seat was previously held by Krista Burroughs, who served the maximum number of consecutive terms and is not eligible for reappointment. Commissioner Burroughs’ term ended June 30, 2025.
Qualifications for Seat. The seat is an at-large seat; standard qualifications apply (e.g., the member must be a Chula Vista resident and at least 18 years of age).
Application Period. The application period was July 1, 2024 through June 1, 2025.
Application Requirements. CVMC Section 2.53.030 defines a “qualified application” as one received within the application period with all required components, which includes a letter of recommendation and a resume.
Qualified Applications Received. Five qualified applications were received. The City Clerk verified that the applicants meet the qualifications required by the City Charter and Municipal Code.
Dissemination of Applications. The City Clerk published copies of all qualified applications with the City Council agenda on the City’s website and provided them to the City Council at the same time.
Qualified Applicants. All qualified applications are provided in Attachment 1. The names of all qualified applicants are as follows (in alphabetical order by last name):
Judy Alvarez-Gallardo
Tim P. Jones
Janet Knowlton
Tomas Ortiz
James Smyth
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
1. Nominate Applicants for Interview. Applicants receiving two or more nominations will be invited to interviews.
2. Select a Date and Time to Conduct Interviews. Following nominations, the City Council may select a date and time to conduct the interviews at an open meeting. Interviews are typically scheduled for 20 minutes each. With five candidates, the meeting is anticipated to be around two hours.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
The staff has received the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific.
Consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and have not been informed by any City Councilmember of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
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CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
This item will have no impact on the general fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Qualified Applications
Staff Contact: Karina Lafarga, Deputy City Clerk, and Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk