City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 14, 2024 FROM: CITY CLERK’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS, REAPPOINTMENTS AND REDESIGNATION ISSUE:
Approve appointments, reappointments, and redesignation for March 1, 2025, annual board and commission recruitment.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Mayor and City Council:
Approve the following reappointments for terms through March 1, 2029; Diane C. Kwasman to the Citywide and Jane P. DuBois to the Ward 1 seats on the Commission on Aging; Cynthia Gibbs to the Ward 1 seat on the Airport Commission; Rich D. Vandenberg to the Citywide (Resident), Israel A. Bello to the Ward 3 (Business), and Yundra L. Thomas to the Ward 5 (Business) seats on the Budget Engagement Commission; Kevin A. Castellanos to the Ward 5 seat on the Cultural Heritage Board; Rene Visco to the Ward 1, David O. Reynolds to the Ward 3, Tinka Friend to the Ward 5, and Melinda Moore-Reins to the Ward 7 seats on the Commission of the Deaf; Tedra A. Trimm to the Ward 1 seat on the Commission on Disabilities; Mahmoud Harmoush to the Citywide, Susan Fahrney to the Ward 1, Fern Fujimoto to the Ward 4 seats on the Human Relations Commission; Bedan Kamau to the Ward 3 and Makisha Alexander to the Ward 5 seats on the Human Resources Board; Bianca M. Corales to the Ward 5 seat on the Board of Library Trustees; Sharon J. Tennell to the Ward 1 seat on the Museum of Riverside Board; Chad M. Young to the Ward 1, Matt Friedlander to the Ward 4, Thomas Miller to the Ward 6, and Barry Johnson to the Ward 7 seats on the Park and Recreation Commission; Rafael Elizalde to the Ward 3 seat on Planning Commission; Brian D. Siana to the Citywide and Gary Montgomery to the Ward 4 seats on the Board of Public Utilities; and John C. Bulinski, and Oscar Valadez to the Citywide, and Tyler J. Madary to the Ward 1 seats on the Transportation Board.
Approve the following appointment:
Danielle Kilchenstein to the Citywide seat on the Board of Ethics for a term through March 1, 2027.
Approve the following appointments for terms through March 1, 2029:
Lisa Price to the Citywide seat on the Commission of the Deaf; Sandy Tarmo to the Citywide seat on the Commission on Disabilities; Aurelio A. Melendrez to the Ward 1 seat on the Planning Commission; Robert J. Lundy to the Ward 4 seat on the Community Police Review Commission; Jaye Steinbrick to the Ward 4 seat on the Board of Library Trustees; Carlos Trigueros to the Ward 5 seat on the Airport Commission; Tom Evans to the Ward 5 seat on the Board of Public Utilities; and Cindy M. Collins to the Ward 5 seat on the Transportation Board.
Redesignate Brian Baird from the Human Resources Board to the Planning Commission Ward 5 seat for a term through March 1, 2029.
Refer remaining board and commission vacancies for Citywide seats to the Mayor and Ward specific seats to respective Councilmembers for appointment.
BACKGROUND/LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
The Rules of Procedure and Order of Business allow the Mayor and City Council to select applicants for direct appointment for Citywide or Ward-specific vacancies by five affirmative votes with a full quorum and four affirmative votes with less than a full quorum for the boards and commissions not requiring interviews.
Riverside City Charter Section 802 provides that each board and commission have one representative from each Council Ward. Further, Section 803 provides that all vacancies shall be filled as described in this Article except that when a position on a board or commission has remained vacant for sixty days the Mayor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
The board and commission annual recruitment process begins in August of each year. The City Clerk’s Office initiates a marketing campaign to solicit applications by posting vacancies and terming out seats on the City’s website, in the newspaper electronically and in paper format, and on bill inserts.
DISCUSSION:
Members eligible to serve a second term are contacted to confirm they wish to continue serving on their respective board or commission. Those members confirmed are submitted for the Mayor and City Council approval for reappointment.
Boards and commissions are a substantial piece of City government as they provide advice to the City Council. Vacancies lead to quorum issues resulting in cancelled meetings. It is crucial that all vacancies be filled in a timely manner to reduce cancelled meetings and demonstrate an appreciation for the members who contribute to the community through their partnership with the City on the boards and commissions.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The Mayor and City Council appointment and reappointments 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 collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
The appointments and reappointments of board and commission members aligns with the Envision 2025 Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Riverside is transparent and makes decisions through sound policy, inclusive community engagement, involvement of City Boards and Commissions, and provides timely and reliable information. The City’s involvement with the reappointment process is transparent and serves the public interest, as these members have expressed interest in continuing to serve their City.
Equity – Riverside residents are encouraged to apply to all City Boards and Commissions. The City supports racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, identity, geographic, and other diversity attributes and is committed to advancing equity through fair treatment and recognition of rights. The demographics section is removed from all applications when selecting applicants, allowing for an unbiased selection process.
Fiscal Responsibility – Riverside is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources while providing quality public services to all. Boards and commissions ensure 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.
Innovation – Through collaborative partnerships and adaptive processes, board and commission reappointments allow members to bring innovative ideas to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Riverside is committed to meeting the present needs without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City’s capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during fluctuating times alike. It is essential to keep boards and commissions active and engaged in maintaining 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: Jack Liu, Interim City Attorney
Annual Board and Commission Recruitment - Page 2