FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Chief Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: Committee Appointments
Description:
The City Council will consider making appointments to the Block Grants Advisory Committee and the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Block Grants Advisory Committee
Councilmembers Cordero, Escobedo, and Soto will have the opportunity to make one nomination each for a term of three years ending in July 2026. Councilmember Soto also has one nomination for the unexpired term ending in July 2025.
Incumbents: Previously Nominated by:
Esther Acosta Moats/Escobedo
Isaac Berumen Cordero
Yvonne Teniente (did not reapply) Soto
Vacant (term ending July 2025) Soto
Incumbents Esther Acosta and Isaac Berumen have reapplied, and two new applications were received from the following:
Amelia Gonzalez Paz
Tammie Castillo-Shiffer
Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee
Councilmembers Aguilera-Hernandez and Soto both have a member vacancy for a term ending in January 2027. One Councilmember will have the opportunity to make one nomination for a term of four years ending in January 2027.
2 Incumbents: Previously Nominated by:
John Childers, Jr. (did not reapply) Waterfield/Aguilera-Hernandez Vacant Soto
One new application was received from the following:
Tammie Castillo-Shiffer
Members of the Block Grants Advisory Committee and Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee are required by the Political Reform Act (Govt. Code Section 81000 -91014), and the City’s Conflict of Interest Code, to file Statements of Economic Interest, Form 700, disclosing personal assets and income within 30 days of appointment, annually thereafter, and upon leaving office. Board Members must also disqualify themselves from participating in decisions that may affect their personal economic interests. Statements of Economic Interests are public documents and may be inspected by any member of the public and copied if requested. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is the State agency that interprets the law’s provisions.
Attendance Reporting: Members of the City’s Boards, Commissions, and Committees serve an important role in advising staff and the City Council on matters that affect policy and issues that affect the future of the community; therefore, Members’ attendance is key to the work these Boards, Commissions, and Committees perform. Members serve in their capacity as Members a t the pleasure of the City Council pursuant to Santa Maria Municipal Code (SMMC) Section 2 -16.02. As established by SMMC 2 -16.01, Members are required to attend meetings regularly and not miss 25 percent of the regular meetings in a calendar year, or they would be deemed to have resigned upon acceptance by the City Council. While the Municipal Code focuses on the Planning Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, Board of Appeals, and Library Board, it is the expectation that Block Grants Advisory Comm ittee and Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee Members also participate and attend meetings in the same manner as those Boards, Commissions, and Committees defined in the Municipal Code.
Copies of the applications may be obtained from the Clerk's Office upon request. Staff will continue to advertise Board and Committee vacancies until sufficient applications have been received and any remaining vacancies may be filled.
Alternative(s)
A Councilmember could decide to withhold their nomination to a Board, Commission, or Committee until such time as additional applications could be received or there is sufficient opportunity for the Councilmember to make contact with the existing applicant(s) to be considered for nomination.
Impact to the Community
Having members of the public serve on the City’s Advisory Bodies provides a positive impact to the community, enabling the City to obtain input from all segments of the 3 community and ensures that the community receives information regarding the activities of the City’s Boards, Committees, and Commissions.