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CITY OF PASADENA
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE
CHARTER STUDY TASK FORCE
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The information contained on this form will be used by the City Council to appoint members to fhe- Charter Study Task Force. Please answer all questions. You are invited to attach additional _- pages, a copy of your resume, or submit supplemental information which you^l.'may asstst'the.." City Council in its evaluation of your application. Please note that, once submitted, this form, and all attachments, will become subject to public access under the Public Records Act, with the exception of personally identifiable information.
Applicant Name: Vince Farhat
Home Address:
Mailing Address:
REDACTED
ncuAUTEU
I Pasadena, California 91105
lasadena, California 91105
Email Address:
Business Phone:
Home Phone:
REDACTED
REDACTEDDate Available to Start: October 1,2023
Cell Phone:REDACTED
Indicate if you wish to be considered for a District, At-Large, and/or Mayoral Nomination (mark one or more):
X District Representative representing City Council District Six X At-large Representative City Council District Six
X Mayoral Representative
Communifr/ Service - List boards, commissions, committees, and organizations on which you are currently sen/ing or have sen/ed, offices held and in what city.
City of Pasadena Advisory Bodies
Rose Bowl Operating Company Audit Committee (community representative) (2020-Present) Chair, Redistricting Task Force (2021)
Member, Civic Center Task Force (2018-2019)
Chair, Board of Zoning Appeals (2015-2017)
Member Planning Commission (2012-2017) ._..._.._. ° ':'"^ Board of Directors, Pasadena Center Operating Company (2010-2012) J ; Chair, Transportation Advisory Commission (2003-2010) .;;;;: ^ Member, City Council Compensation Committee (2001)
Vice-Chair, Utility Advisory Commission (1999-2003)
Member, Charter Reform Task Force (1998-1999)
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Non-Profit Omanizations'^-'....Q
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Board of Directors, Greater Los Angeles Area Council, BSA (2020-Present) Board Chair, St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles (2021-Present) Board of Governors, Beverly Hills Bar Association (2021-Present) Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association Litigation Section (2015-2019) Board of Directors, La Casita del Arroyo Foundation (2012-2015) West Pasadena-Residents' Association (President 2002-2004; Board of Directors 2000-2012) Employment - Title and duties, current and past (acceptable to attach resume as an alternative).
Chair, White Collar Defense & Investigations Group, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (2020-Present) Adjunct Professor, Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Law School (2004-Present) Partner, Holland & Knight LLP (2011-2020)
Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California (2002-2011) Associate, Jones Day (1996-1998; 1999-2002)
Judicial Law Clerk, United States District Court, Central District of California (1998-1999) Vice-President & General Manager, Sanjo Investments Commercial Real Estate (1991-1996) Commercial Real Estate Broker, Prudential Stevenson Real Estate (1989-1991) Note: See Linkedln profile for employment descriptions and duties: www.linkedin.com/in/vincefahatjd/ Education - Include professional or vocational licenses or certificates.
Juris Doctor (JP), Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Law School Master of Business Administration (MBA), Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Studies, American University, School of International Service State Bar of California License #183794
1. Have you ever worked for the City of Pasadena? (If yes, please list dates/department)
YESD NO Q
2. Are you related to any employee, appointed or elected official of the City of Pasadena? (If yes, please indicate name and relationship) YES D NOEl
3. Rules of law and ethics prohibit members from participating in and voting on matters in which they may have a direct or indirect financial interest. Are you aware of any circumstances which may develop from your occupation or economic holdings, that might relate to your service as a member of a Charter Study Task Force? (If yes, please indicate any potential conflicts)
YESD NOE]
4. Have there been, or are there now, any personal or business YES j | NO | v circumstances which might reflect adversely on your service as a member of a Charter Study Task Force?
5. Are you aware of the time commitment necessary to fulfill the YES | v obligations of a member on a Charter Study Task Force, including meetings on nights and weekends? Yes, I am aware of the time commitment.
NOD
6. What specifically in your background, training, education, or interests qualifies you to serve on the Charter Study Task Force? Please highlight any relevant experience with the City of Pasadena or other municipality that involves Charter Study, elected experience, or knowledge of City Charter laws and provisions:
My professional experience in law and government, together with 25 years of experience as a citizen commissioner in the City of Pasadena, qualifies me to serve on the Charter Study Task Force. In addition to my volunteer experience with non-profits and municipal advisory bodies, I previously served on the City of Pasadena Charter Reform Task Force that recommended the voter-approved charter amendments creating the position of the citywide elected Mayor. I also served on the City Council Compensation Committee after the elected Mayor position was created. My previous Pasadena charter reform and Council compensation experience would provide helpful context for the issues to be studied by this new advisory body.
7. What objectives and goals should the Charter Study Task Force consider? The Charter Study Task Force will review and evaluate certain municipal governance topics set by the City Council at its meeting on September 18, 2023, provide recommendations to the Council on the appropriateness/necessity of each topic, and submit its findings as part of a final report to the Council by late May/early June 2024.
8. 9.
In your opinion, what is the importance of the scope and charge of the Charter Study Task Force, as approved and assigned by the City Council?
The City Council has directed the Task Force to study the following issues: (i) vacancy appointment process for Mayor and City Council, as well as options for special elections; (ii) Mayor and City Council term limits; (iii) review of timing of Mayoral election; (iv) review of Vice Mayor appointment process, timing, and/or length of term; (v) City Council compensation, broadly, as well as dedicated family care allowance for Councilmembers; and (vi) campaign contribution limits. Adhering to the City Council's clearly defined scope and charge will be critically important to the success of the Charter Study Task Force.
How would you help to achieve the Charter Study Task Force's objectives and goals, while adhering to the City Council's approved Scope and Charge?
The City of Pasadena is committed to inclusion and transparency in all our affairs. As a citizen commissioner, I have always endeavored to work with community members and City staff in a respectful and collaborative manner, which would be helpful qualities in achieving the Charter Study Task Force's mission of reviewing the governance topics set by the City Council. I also have decades of experience complying with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, which is an important part of ensuring our public proceedings are transparent and open to everyone in our community. In addition, my prior charter reform and Council compensation experience would be useful in helping to achieve the Task Force's objectives as defined by the Council's approved scope and charge.
Signature:Date: September 24, 2023
/ hereby certify that the following information is correct to the best of my knowledge. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
One of the goals of the City Council is to balance advisory body appointments in terms of geographic residence, location, ethnicity, gender, and age. The following information is desirable, but not required for appointment.
Year of Birth:REDACTEDREDACTEDREDACTED
If City resident, number of years: 27