CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
May 6, 2025 {{section.number}}c
APPOINTMENT OF UP TO FOUR MEMBERS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Consider for appointment up to four Design Review Commissioners with staggered term expirations to serve on the consolidated Planning Commission, effective June 20, 2025.
BACKGROUND:
On November 19, 2024, after a multi-month process to consider holistic consistency and efficiency updates across all City Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees, the City Council directed staff to combine the Design Review Commission (DRC) and Planning Commission into one body, meeting monthly. At the April 1, 2025, meeting, Council provided further direction on the composition of the consolidated body, including membership requirements. The second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2025-05 reflecting the changes is scheduled for May 20, 2025 (if the Ordinance introduction is approved on May 6, 2025), with an effective date of June 19, 2025.
Today's meeting includes City Council consideration of appointment of DRC members to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will temporarily expand to up to seven (7) members and will be restored to five (5) members through attrition. The City Clerk contacted members of both bodies to determine their interest in continuing to serve on the consolidated board. All existing members have expressed interest in continuing their service.
As the bodies are being consolidated rather than creating an entirely new commission, an election of a new chair and vice chair is not necessary at the body's first business meeting. Members of the Design Review Commission appointed to serve on the Planning Commission will be eligible to serve two terms with staggered term expirations.
Planning Commission Members
Name Current Term Expiration Reappointment Eligibility
Dana Cavanaugh December 2026 Eligible
Jon Ryan December 2025 Ineligible
Scott Metzger December 2025 Eligible
Design Review Commission Members
Name Current Term Expiration Reappointment Eligibility
Edry Goot December 2025 Eligible
Rebecca King December 2025 Eligible
Sue Godwin December 2026 Eligible
Jeremy Stein December 2027 Eligible
ANALYSIS:
If all four DRC members are appointed with their current term expirations, four of the seven consolidated commission members would have terms expire at the end of 2025.
Year Potential Number of Terms Expiring
December 2025 4 (2 Planning, 2 DRC)
December 2026 2 (1 Planning, 1 DRC)
December 2027 1 (DRC)
For a body size of seven, it is recommended that no more than three members’ terms expire in any given year to maintain continuity and institutional knowledge.
The term expirations for the three existing Planning Commissioners (Cavanaugh, Ryan, and Metzger) cannot be altered. However, the City Council has the discretion to adjust the term expirations for incoming Design Review Commissioners as part of their appointment to the Planning Commission. Two Design Review Commissioners have terms expiring in 2025.
To ensure appropriate staggering of terms, if a Design Review Commissioner with a 2025 term expiration (Goot and/or King) is appointed to the Planning Commission, it is recommended that the City Council adjust one of the member’s terms to a 2026 expiration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could decline to make the appointments and direct the City Clerk to advertise for additional applicants. Additionally, the City Council could appoint fewer than four DRC members to the Planning Commission or modify the proposed term expirations for the appointed DRC members in a different manner while still ensuring appropriate staggering.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required. However, members of both bodies were notified of this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Submitted By: City Clerk's Office / Kelsea Holian