1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kathleen Gregory, City Clerk
MEETING DATE: June 2, 2026
SUBJECT: Consideration of Appointing Commissioners to Fill One Vacancy and One Expiring Term on the Planning Commission
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Discuss, take nominations, and by majority vote, appoint one candidate to fill one of two seats on the Planning Commission.
BACKGROUND
The City has three Commissions that serve as advisory bodies to the City Council:
Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Public Safety and Traffic Commission. Serving on a board or commission is voluntary. Commission members serve staggered four-year terms that expire on June 1 of the applicable expiration year.
Commissioner Mike Graf's term expired on June 1, 2026, and Joaquin Santos resigned from his position on March 27, 2026, resulting in two seats available for appointment by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The City advertised the Commission opportunities on its website and through social media, receiving 10 applications from residents expressing interest in serving on the Planning Commission, including one from incumbent Mike Graf and another from an incumbent currently serving on the Public Safety and Traffic Commission, whose term expires June 1, 2026. Applications are retained on file and remain eligible for consideration for two years.
For this appointment, the City Council conducted interviews of new applicants at a special meeting held on May 5, 2026.
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. 8a
2 Staff recommends that the Council discuss, take nominations for, and by majority vote appoint a candidate from the list of eligible applicants to fill one seat on the Planning Commission for a term ending in June 2030.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no financial implications resulting from this recommendation.
VISION, MISSION, VALUES, AND STRATEGIC OUTCOMES
The City’s Vision, Mission, and Values set the standard for the organization, establish priorities, uniformity and guidelines; and provide the framework for policy decision making. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No. 6: High Performing Organization – Strengthening City services through innovation and excellence.
OPTIONS
Approve recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Applicant eligibility list
Approved by:
_______________________
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager