1 TO: City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Brianna Rindge, Community & Economic Development Director MEETING DATE: February 21, 2023
SUBJECT: Discussion and Consideration of the Number of Planning Commissioners and Potential Consideration of an Appointment to a Vacant Seat on the Planning Commission
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss and consider the current number of Planning Commissioners as established by the Municipal Code; and should the Council desire to maintain the current seven-member format of the Commission, take nominations for and consider appointment to one vacant seat on the Planning Commission with a term ending June 30, 2023.
DISCUSSION
Lomita Municipal Code Section 2-9.02 establishes that the Planning Commission consists of seven members, however, it is the only board in the city with seven members instead of five members. City Council may direct staff to align the Planning Commission with City Council and the other appointed boards. This process would consist of an ordinance brought before City Council for adoption to amend Section 2-9.02 at the next City Council meeting of March 7, 2023, and phasing out of one existing member upon their wish to conclude their time on the Planning Commission or a reevaluation upon the June 2023 reappointment of two expiring positions.
At the conclusion of the November 14, 2022, Planning Commission meeting, Commissioner Jim Thompson submitted his resignation. City Clerk staff posted a notice of Planning Commission vacancy on December 6, 2022, and accepted applications through January 31, 2023. City Council interviewed the following applicants at a special meeting on February 8, 2023, starting at 4:30 p.m. During each interview, City Council also gauged interest in participation on the General Plan Advisory Committee, a multiyear process slated to begin this summer.
Item No. SCH 8c
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 John Ballard
A K Mahida
Jay Mattingly
Henry Sanchez Jr.
Morgan Carroll
Jessiqa Pace
Andrew Culley
Brian Bodnar
OPTIONS
1. Direct staff to return with an ordinance decreasing the number of Planning Commissioners from seven to five to align with the City’s other elected/appointed boards.
2. Take nominations and make appointment.
3. Postpone appointment until further notice.
4. Provide staff alternative direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
Reviewed by: Approved by:
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
________________
Brianna Rindge
Community & Economic Development Director