REVISED
City Council Memorandum
T
O: HONORABLE MAYO R AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2023 FROM: CITY CLERK’ S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
ISSUE:
Interview applic
ants for the Board of Ethics, Board of Public Utilities, and Planning Commission.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and City Council:
1. Conduct interviews and appoint two applicants to Citywide seats on the Board of Ethics for terms ending March 1, 2027;
2. Conduct an interview and appoint an applicant to the Ward 4 seat on the Board of Ethics for term ending March 1, 2027;
3. Conduct interviews and appoint an applicant to the Citywide seat on the Board of Public Utilities for term ending March 1, 2025; and
4. Conduct interviews and appoint an applicant to the Citywide seat on the Planning Commission for term ending March 1, 2024.
BACKGROUND/LE
GISLATIVE HISTORY:
On March 1, 2023, numerous Commissioners on the various Boards and C ommissions terms
will expire. The City Council Rules of Procedure and Order of Business (Resolution No. 23618) Section XIV(A) provides that the Mayor’s Nominating and Screening Committee (MNSC) review applications submitted and identify applicants for an interview with the Mayor and City Council for vacancies on the Community Police Revi ew Commission, Board of Ethics, Planning Commission, and Board of Public Utilities.
The City Clerk’s Office conducted citywide recruitment and received applications from individuals wishing to serve on the various Board and Co mmissions. In addition, some commissioners concluding their first term expressed a desire to be reappointed.
On January 10, 2023, the MNSC consisting of Chair Lock Dawson and Members Cervantes, Conder, and Perry considered the applicati ons submitted and referred the following for interviews by the Mayor and City Council:
Date: 2-9-23
Item No.: 2
Annual Board and Commission Interviews - Page 2
Board of Ethics – Two Citywide seats through 2027
Beth M. Hill-Skinner
Gustavo Garcia Jr.
Kelechi E. Azubuike
Alycia M. Benson
Sandy R. Tarmo
Board of Ethics – Ward 4 seat through 2027
Natalie M. Gomez
Board of Public Utilities – Citywide seat through 2025
Brian D. Siana
Kerry M. Hanson
Ronald T. Brees
Planning Commission – Citywide seat through 2024
Launa K. Wilson
Thomas H. Safford
Mark D. Berg
Tina Patel
Robin C. Treen
Councilmember Edwards referred Sandra Polichetti for interview by the Mayor and City Council to the Board of Public Utilities.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The Mayor and City Counc
il conducting interv iews for the board and commission annual recruitment contributes to the City Council’s Envision 2025 Strategic Plan Priority and Goal:
High Performing Government - Provide world-class public service that is efficient, accessible, and responsible to all, and the following goal:
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and colla boration with communi ty members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
The appointment to a board and commission ali gns with the Envision 2025 Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
1. Community Trust – Riverside is transparent make s decisions through sound policy, inclusive community engagement, involvement of City Boards and Commissions, and timely and reliable information. The City’s involvement with the interview process is transparent and serves the public interest, as these interviews are conducted in a public meeting.
2. Equity – Riverside residents are encouraged to apply to all City Boards and Commissions. The City supports racial, ethnic, religious, sexual or ientation, identity, geographic, and other diversity attributes an d is committed to advancing equity through fair treatment and recognition of rights. The demographics section is removed on the application when selecting applicants for interv iews, allowing for an unbiased selection process.
Annual Board and Commission Interviews - Page 3
3. Fiscal Responsibility – Riverside is a prudent stew ard of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources while providing quality public services to all. Boards and commissions ensur e quality services are provided to all with fiscal responsibility as a priority. The City Clerk’s Office annual budget includes funding to support and maintain Boards and Commissions processes.
4. Innovation – Through collaborative partnership s and adaptive processes, board and commission interviews allow new members to bring innovative ideas to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency – Riverside is committed to meeting the present needs without compromising the needs of the futu re and ensuring the City’s capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during fl uctuating times alike. It is essential to keep boards and commissions active and engaged in maintain ing sustainable and resilient programs and services and monitoring and promoting innovation for a more sustainable future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Recruitment and appointment costs are funded in the City Clerk’s Office budget.
Prepared by: Donesia Gause, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Phaedr a A. Norton, City Attorney
Concurs with:
__________________________________
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, Chair
Mayor’s Nominating and Screening Committee
Attachments: Interview Schedule
Board of Ethics Roster
Board of Ethics Applications
Board of Public Utilities Roster
Board of Public Ut ilities Applications
Planning Commission Roster
Planning Commission Applications