COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Donna G. Schwartz, Chief Deputy City Clerk
DATE: January 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to City Boards, Commissions, and Committees – January 2025
Description:
The City Council will consider making appointments to boards, commissions, and committees.
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:
Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee
Three terms are ending in January 2025. Mayor Patino and Councilmembers Flores and Escobedo will have the opportunity to make one nomination each for a new term of four years ending January 2029.
Incumbents: Nomination to be made by:
Trent Benedetti (reapplied) Mayor Patino
Jack Owen, Jr. (reapplied) Councilmember Flores
Vacant Councilmember Escobedo
No new applications were received.
2 Planning Commission
Three terms are ending in January 2025. Mayor Patino and Councilmembers Flores and Escobedo will have the opportunity to make one nomination each for a new term of four years ending January 2029.
Incumbents: Nomination to be made by:
Robert Dickerson (reapplied) Mayor Patino
Tom Lopez (reapplied) Councilmember Flores
Tim Seifert (reapplied) Councilmember Escobedo
New Applications:
Larry Crawford
Geoffrey Wheeler
Recreation & Parks Commission
Three terms are ending January 2025. Mayor Patino and Councilmembers Flores and Escobedo will have the opportunity to make one nomination each for a new term of four years ending January 2029.
Incumbents: Nomination to be made by:
Rebecca Carey (reapplied) Mayor Patino
Vacant Councilmember Flores
Cynthia Gudino (reapplied) Councilmember Escobedo
New Applications:
Jose Ramirez
Vlahdemir Cruz
Santa Barbara County Library Committee
Current term ending July 2025. The Mayor will have the opportunity to make one appointment for the unexpired term ending July 2025.
Incumbent: Previously Nominated by:
Vacant Mayor Patino
New Applications:
Michelle Graham
Suzanne Hajnik
3 Members of the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Planning Commission, and Recreation & Parks Commission 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 which 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 which interprets the law’s provisions.
Copies of the applications may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office upon request. Staff will continue to advertise Board and Committee vacancies until sufficient applications have been received and remaining vacancies are 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 community and ensures that the community receives information regarding the activities of the City’s Boards, Committees, and Commissions.