DATE:
April 18, 2023
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
April Richardson, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Appointing _____ As Planning Commissioner To Service On The Planning Commission For A Term Commencing Immediately And Ending June 30, 2025; And Amending The FY2022-23 Local Roster Of Boards, Commissions And Committees Accordingly Recommendation
Staff has no recommendation. Appointments to the Planning Commission are made at the City Council’s discretion.
Background
The Planning Commission consists of up to seven (7) total members, each serving a three-year staggered term. The Planning Commission has both regulatory and advisory responsibilities, including:
Making recommendations to the City Council regarding land use issues, such as traffic and parking conditions; parks and open spaces; and residential, commercial, mixed-use and industrial districts; and Making findings, and granting or denying zoning vacancies, adjustments and use permits (may be subject to appeal to the City Council).
Selection Process
The City Council is scheduled to interview Planning Commission applicants and make appointments at a special City Council meeting on April 18, 2023. Per the Emeryville Municipal Code (“EMC”) Section 2-3.304, eligible applicants include residents and business representatives that have resided, or whose business has been located, in the City for at least one year immediately prior to appointment. The EMC requires at least four members of the Planning Commission be residents of the City—this requirement has already been satisfied through the remaining Planning Commissioners whose terms are not under consideration at this time. In addition, Planning Commission members shall, whenever possible, be appointed from throughout the City’s various geographic areas.
The City Council has a practice of interviewing applicants for the Planning Commission in open session. Historically, the Mayor serves as the moderator for the City Council interview process of Planning Commission applicants, with applicants being given the chance to make a short personal statement and answer specific questions afterward. (Planning Commission interview questions attached.) Each interview will last approximately 10-15 minutes—two minutes shall be allocated for the applicant’s personal statement; two minutes each per interview question; and any remaining time allocated for City Council follow-up questions.
Discussion
There is one current vacancy on the Planning Commission. The newly appointed Planning Commissioner’s term would commence immediately and end June 30, 2025. If there are any appointees that are new to the Planning Commission, they will be sworn in at the regular Planning Commission meeting on April 27, 2023.
On February 10, 2023, staff opened a new recruitment for the Planning Commission due to the resignation of incumbent Commissioner David Mourra. Notice of the vacancy was posted on the City’s three posting locations. In addition, the City Clerk’s Office included noticing of the vacancy on the City’s website, Twitter, ETV Cable Channel 27, and announcements at City Council meetings. Committee secretaries were also encouraged to distribute the Notice of Vacancies to their committee members and members of the public. Staff also reached out to active applicants to inquire whether they would still like to be considered for the Planning Commission. Applications were due Monday, April 3, 2023.
The following applications have been received:
Dianne Martinez
Yang Ming
Dr. Eugene Tssui
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact.
Staff Communication with the Public
Staff has had no communication with the public regarding these appointments, other than confirmation of received applications and advising applicants regarding the Planning Commission interview and appointment process.
PREPARED BY: Lorrayne Leong, Deputy City Clerk
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Attachments
Attachment A – Planning Commission Interview Questions
Applications:
Applicant Dianne Martinez
Applicant Yang Ming
Applicant Dr. Eugene Tssui
Draft Resolution
Exhibit A – Planning Commission Roster
Planning Commission Appointment
City Council Meeting | April 18, 2023
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM