CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY MARCH 26, 2024 5:30 PM
SAN DIMAS COUNCIL CHAMBER
CONFERENCE ROOM
245 EAST BONITA AVENUE
A public agenda packet is available for review on the City’s website www.sandimasca.gov or by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected].
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Emmett Badar, Mayor Pro Tem Ryan A. Vienna, Councilmember John Ebiner, Councilmember Eric Nakano, Councilmember Eric Weber
CALL TO ORDER AND FLAG SALUTE
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
(Members of the audience are invited to address the City Council on any item on this agenda. Public comment will not be taken during each individual agenda item, except for public hearing items.
Comments on public hearing items will be heard when that item is scheduled for discussion. Under the provisions of the Brown Act, the legislative body is prohibited from engaging in discussion on any item not appearing on the posted agenda. However, your concerns may be referred to staff or set for discussion at a later date. Each speaker will be limited to speaking once for up to (3) three minutes.) STUDY SESSION
1. Discussion of Board Commission and Committee Terms
ADJOURNMENT
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Notice Regarding Americans with Disabilities Act: In compliance with the ADA, if you need assistance to participate in a city meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (909) 3946216. Early notification before the meeting you wish to attend will make it possible for the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.10235.104 ADA Title II].
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March 22, 2024
Debra Black
Debra Black, City Clerk Page 2
Agenda Item Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
For the Meeting of March 26, 2024
From: Chris Constantin, City Manager
Prepared by: Debra Black, City Clerk
Subject: Discussion of Board Commission and Committee Terms ____________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to present a proposal for the appointment of Commissioners after an election cycle that will allow for staggered terms and alignment with the Council seats. The discussions held during the July 11, 2023 City Council meeting led to the development of a plan aimed at continuity in commission memberships.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Review and approve the proposed plan for staggered commission appointments.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for the recommended action.
BACKGROUND
At the aforementioned meeting, Council discussed various options to align commission appointments with Council seats and the need to appoint either 5 or 7 members to a commission.
The concept of a "Zero Term" was introduced to facilitate staggered appointments, that would accommodate the rotation of the election cycles. There was no consensus for direction on the numeric membership structure.
After thorough consideration, the following proposal has been formulated as a possible option to implement Zero Term:
To Be Addressed Proposal
Discussion of Boards Commissions and Committees Terms Page 2 For the Meeting of March 26, 2024
Commencement of Appointments Appointments for the current cycle began on September 1, 2023. Three seats designated for the
March 5, 2024; Election will start with a Zero Term.
• September 2023-April 2024 =Zero Term
• April 2024-September 2026 =1st Term
Seated Appointments
• September 2023-September 2025=1st Term
• September 2025-September 2027=2nd
Term
Reappointment Option Reelected or newly elected Councilmembers for the Zero Term will have the option of
reappointments.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS
Staggered appointments help ensure continuity and stability within commissions by preventing all members from starting and ending their terms simultaneously. This staggered approach allows for a smoother transition between outgoing and incoming members, thereby maintaining institutional knowledge and preserving the effectiveness of the commission.
Aligning commission appointments with the Council seats and election cycles ensures that new appointments coincide with changes in the Council's composition. This alignment helps maintain consistency in the direction and priorities of the commissions, as new appointees are selected based on the prevailing political landscape and community needs identified by the Council. By establishing a structured system for staggered appointments, the City promotes stability and continuity within its commissions. This stability is crucial for the effective functioning of commissions, as it allows members to build on past achievements, develop long-term strategies, and foster relationships with stakeholders over time.
Aligning commission appointments with election cycles also enhances community engagement and representation. New appointments provide an opportunity to bring in individuals with diverse backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives, thereby ensuring that the commission reflects the demographic and socioeconomic diversity of the community it serves.
The establishment of staggered commission appointments aligned with election cycles demonstrates the City's commitment to promoting stability, continuity, and effective governance within its commissions. This approach not only enhances decision-making processes but also fosters greater community engagement and representation, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being and prosperity of the City.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could propose another structure process that would achieve staggered appointments that align with the City election cycles.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Discussion of Boards Commissions and Committees Terms Page 3 For the Meeting of March 26, 2024
Pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), CEQA does not apply to this item because there is no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no additional environmental review is needed at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Black
City Clerk