Options Regarding the Future of Planning Commission Appointments
Objective
Following consensus and direction from the City Council at the March 1, 2022 regularly scheduled City Council meeting, Staff was directed to provide options for the City Council to consider regarding the appointment of Planning Commissioners for the City of Manteca’s Planning Commission.
Present Practice
Planning Commission appointments function like other commissions – individuals apply, and the City Council collectively considers appointments as vacancies come about and/or as terms end
Current Roster
Updates
Chair Sahi resigned in January 2022;
Vice Chair/Acting Chair Zellner will be resigning at the end of May 2022; The Alternate Position is presently vacant; and
The City is switching to district elections this year.
How Other Jurisdictions Appoint
Stockton – each Councilmember nominates a member from their district (subject to approval from the City Council), except for the Mayor who appoints someone at-large from the City --- terms run concurrent with Councilmember terms, and there is a 2-term limit Galt – each Councilmember nominates a member from the City at large to serve a concurrent term with that Councilmember Tracy – same practice as Manteca
To Consider with Options 1 or 2
Because of the current vacancies and the fact that the City Council is moving to District elections, it is advised that if the Council goes with Option 1 or Option 2, the following Councilmembers should make the nominations for each PC seat:
-Sahi’s remaining term – Mayor Cantu
i) After that, the newly sworn in Mayor will appoint a new at-large Commissioner, through 12/31/26 -Zellner’s remaining term – Vice Mayor Halford (as Zellner resides in District 1), through 12/31/24 -Laffranchi and Smith’s terms expire on 12/31/22 – to the winners of the District 3 and District 4 councilmember races, respectively, through 12/31/26 -Randall’s term – have it end early (12/31/22), and assign/appoint the seat to District 2 (Councilmember Singh), through 12/31/24 -Alternate – appointed by the Mayor through 12/31/22
i) After that, the newly sworn in Mayor will appoint a new at-large alternate, through 12/31/26
To Consider with Options 1 & 2
Whether to have councilmembers nominate candidates; or
Have candidates apply from districts or at-large, and councilmembers nominate from the applications
Options for the City Council to Provide Direction
Option 1 – Stockton Appointment Process
Option 2 – Galt Appointment Process
Option 3 – Tracy/Manteca Appointment Process
Staff recommendation is to go with Option 1 or Option 2