ADMINISTRATION
City Manager
13831 San Pablo Avenue, Building 1 ● San Pablo, CA 94806 Main: 510-215-3012 ● Fax: 510-620-0204
www.SanPabloCA,gov
M E M O R A N D U M
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
1000 Gateway Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94510
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MATT RODRIGUEZ, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
SUBJECT: AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH ANY THIRD PARTIES
AGENDA ITEM #21 (#26-125) – PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS:
SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS PROVIDED FOR CANDIDATES FOR PLANNING
COMMISSIONER
The following is a list of recommended sample questions for Planning Commission interviews re-scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026, as follows:
1. What professional experience and expertise will you contribute to the Planning Commission to support its work?"
2. How do you view your role as a Planning Commissioner in advancing new economic and housing investments identified in the adopted 2025–27 Council Priority Workplan?
3. Explain your full understanding of “Regional Housing Needs Allocation (or RHNA)” and the requirements mandated by the State law for local cities by year 2031.
4. How will you support the City Council’s goals by ensuring the Planning Commission applies adopted land-use policies, zoning regulations, and State housing requirements to guide responsible growth within the City’s geographic constraints while preserving its small-business character?
MEMO – AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE FOR AGENDA ITEM #26-XXX – SAN PABLO PLANNING COMMISSION 03/02/2026
5. Do you agree that a Planning Commissioner’s primary responsibility is to uphold and implement the City’s adopted General Plan, specific plans, and legally established zoning requirements in accordance with State law; and, if so, will you commit to ensuring that all development proposals are thoroughly and properly reviewed for full compliance with these requirements, even when faced with public opposition, NIMBY pressures, or special-interest influence?
CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING COMMISSIONER INTERVIEWS
The City Manager recommends the City Council proceed as follows:
1) BEFORE THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, THE MAYOR SHOULD ASK FOR ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS PRIOR TO COUNCIL INTERVIEWS TAKING PLACE.
2) ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS DURING THE
INTERVIEW PROCESS OF EACH CANDIDATE TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY, FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
3) CITY COUNCIL SHOULD DELIBERATE OVER WHICH QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED OF EACH
COUCILMEMBER IN ATTENDANCE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE OFFICIAL INTERVIEW PROCESS.
4) DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS, LIMIT QUESTIONS TO A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) QUESTIONS FOR EACH CANDIDATE . ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ASKED THE SAME FIVE (5) QUESTIONS TO ENSURE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE SELECTION PROCESS.
5) PROCEED WITH EACH INTERVIEW INDIVIDUALLY WITH REMAINING CANDIDATES
AWAITING THEIR INTERVIEW IN THE CITY HALL LOBBY UNTIL CALLED UPON BY THE MAYOR.
6) AFTER ALL INTERVIEWS ARE CONCLUDED, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DELIBERATE, AND
BY MOTION, SELECT WHICH CANDIDATES FOR OFFICAL RE-APPOINTMENT TO FILL UP TO THREE (3) PLANNING COMMISSIONER VACANCIES BY MAJORITY VOTE VIA RESOLUTION.
Respectfully submitted:
____________________________ Date: 04/062026
Matt Rodriguez, City Manager
PHO Swearing In Planning Commissioner Burrell, Y’Anad 2026-04-06