Agenda Item A.2
CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Deborah S. Lopez, City Clerk
PREPARED BY: Liana Campos, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: Ratification of Mayoral Appointments to the Planning Commission, the Public Tree Advisory Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Public Engagement Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Ratify the mayoral appointment s of Katie Maynard, Jennifer Fullerton and Rita Serotkin with terms ending February 1, 2029, and Cary Penniman to fill the unexpired portion of a term ending February 1, 2027, to the Planning Commission; and B. Ratify the mayoral appointments of Stacy Furia , S. Courtney Walton and Breanne Bonilla to the Parks and Recreation Commission with terms ending February 1, 2029; and
C. Ratify the mayoral appointment of Gareth Kelly to the Public Engagement Commission to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending November 1, 2027; and D. Ratify the mayoral appointments of Jessica Altstatt and Robert Nisbet to the Public Tree Advisory Commission with terms ending February 1, 2029.
BACKGROUND:
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is authorized by Goleta Municipal Code Section 2.09.010. The Planning Commission consists of five members, each of whom must be a resident of the City of Goleta and a qualified elector within the City. The term of office for each Commissioner is four years and is set to expire at the first regular meeting in February.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 40605, all appointments to the City ’s boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission, must be made by the Mayor, and approved by the City Council. Per Goleta Municipal Code Section 2.15.040 (C), at the conclusion of all interviews for positions to the Planning Commission, each Councilmember elected or re-elected to office in the immediately preceding election shall announce one preferred candidate.
Meeting Date: February 4, 2024
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission is authorized by Goleta Municipal Code Section
2.12.020 and is composed of seven members. One member shall be a student (15 years or older). The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Commission shall be to provide citizens a platform to discuss the needs, opportunities and current offerings of parks and recreation activities in the City. The Commission shall advise the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta.
Public Engagement Commission
The Public Engagement Commission is authorized by Goleta Municipal Code Section
2.19.20. The purpose of the Public Engagement Commission shall be to advise the City Council and staff on matters related to public engagement in City government and governance. The Public Engagement Commission shall be composed of seven (7) members. One member shall be a Youth Member. Members of the Public Engagement Commission shall be appointed to a four-year term. There shall be no limit on the number of terms members may be appointed. The Youth Commissioner shall serve up to a two- year term.
Public Tree Advisory Commission
The Public Tree Advisory Commission is authorized by Goleta Municipal Code Section
2.11.020. The purpose of the Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be to hear appeals of decisions on the planting and removal of public trees as provided under Section
2.11.010, and to provide advice to staff and the City Council on matters related to the Goleta Urban Forest. The Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be composed of five members.
Applicant Interviews at Recent City Council Meetings
On January 17, 2025, and January 27, 2025, the City Council held special meetings to conduct interviews of all the applicants for the Public Tree Advisory Commission , Public Engagement Commission, Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.
At the conclusion of the Special City Council Meeting held January 17, 2025, the Mayor appointed Gareth Kelly to the Public Engagement Commission to fill a portion of a term ending November 1, 2027, and the Mayor appointed Jessica Altstatt and Robert Nisbet to the Public Tree Advisory Commission for a term ending February 1, 2029.
At the conclusion of the Special City Council Meeting held January 27, 202 5, the Mayor appointed Katie Maynard, Jennifer Fullerton and Rita Serotkin with terms ending February 1, 2029, and Cary Penniman to fill the unexpired term ending February 1, 2027, to the Planning Commission; the Mayor appointed Stacy Furia, S. Courtney Walton and Breanne Bonilla to the Parks and Recreation Commission with terms ending February 1, 2029.
Meeting Date: February 4, 2024
DISCUSSION:
This item provides the Mayor the opportunity to seek Council ratification as a result of the nominations made on January 17, 2025, and January 27, 2025 as follows: appointments of Katie Maynard, Jennifer Fullerton and Rita Serotkin to the Planning Commission with terms ending February 1, 2029, and Cary Penniman to fill the unexpired portion of a term ending February 1, 2027, to the Planning Commission; Stacy Furia, S. Courtney Walton and Breanne Bonilla to the Parks and Recreation Commission with terms ending February 1, 2029; Gareth Kelly to the Public Engagement Commission to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending November 1, 2027 and Jessica Altstatt and Robert Nisbet to the Public Tree Advisory Commission for a term ending February 1, 2029.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with ratifying the Mayor’s appointees to the Planning Commission, P arks and Recreation Commission, Public Engagement Commission, and the Public Tree Advisory Commission other than the staff time needed to prepare this report.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council may direct staff to reopen the recruitments to ensure a greater applicant pool prior to a selection process.
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager