CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date: February 7, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Planning Department and City Administration
Subject: Interviews for Opening on the Design Review Board Recommendation : That the City Council Interview Applicants for Three Openings on the Design Review Board
Funding: Currently Budgeted: _______ Yes _________ No __X___ N/A Net General Fund Cost: N/A
Amount: $0
Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) _AK___ (verified by Administrative Services Department)
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
This item is to request that the Mayor and City Council conduct the interviews for the openings on the Design Review Board and make appointments later in the agenda.
BACKGROUND:
Design Review Board - 2 YEAR TERM
The Design Review Board meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.
The City of Sebastopol Design Review Board consists of five voting members and one alternate with the criteria for a City of Sebastopol Design Review Board as listed below.
The Board members shall serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are appointed. ln making the appointments the City Council shall select, insofar as possible, the following. a) Two (2) persons, at least one of whom shall be a licensed architect and at least one of whom shall be a licensed landscape architect.
b) One (1) person who may be any of the following: architect, landscape architect, building designer, building contractor, landscape contractor.
c) Two (2) persons not in Sections (a) or (b)
d) One (1) alternate who may be in Section (a)or who possesses a particular expertise in the area of design, land use patterns, urban development or other related fields to serve at any meeting or on any matter in Agenda Item 1 Agenda Item Number: 1
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the absence of a Board member, or in the event a member has a conflict of interest. (e) ln the event suitable candidates satisfactory to the City Council in the above categories are not available to serve, the City Council may then select any person or persons in their discretion. All terms of office shall terminate December 31 of the last year of the term of appointment. e) ln the event suitable candidates satisfactory to the City Council in the above categories are not available to serve, the City Council may then select any person or persons in their discretion. All terms of office shall terminate December 31 of the last year of the term of appointment.
The current Design Review Board Members are as follows:
DRB MEMBER TERM ENDING DATE CATEGORY
CARY BUSH 12/31/2022 A
LARS LANGBERG, CHAIR 12/31/2023 A
TED LUTHIN 12/31/2022 B
MELISSA HANLEY, VICE CHAIR 12/31/2023 C (B)
CHRISTINE LEVEL 12/31/2023 C
Marshal Balfe (Alternate) 12/31/2022 D
As noted in yellow highlight above, the opening occurred December 3I, 2022 (term extended until new members seated by Council).
DISCUSSION:
The interviews are to be conducted tonight to fill vacancies in Categories A, C, and D. The City Clerk noticed the vacancy in the Press Democrat, City Hall Bulletin Board, E-newsletter and various other media outlets and received three applications.
15-minute interviews for the applicants are scheduled as follows:
Interview time Name of Applicant Category Applied For
4:00 pm Marshall Balfe Category D
4:20 pm
4:40 pm
Lynn Deedler
Cary Bush
Category C
Category A
GOALS:
This action supports the following City Council Goals:
Goal 5 - Provide Open and Responsive Municipal Government Leadership, including Goal 5.1.4 Enhance the use of the City of Sebastopol Committees, Commissions and Boards.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action tonight.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council conduct the interviews for the opening on the Design Review Board and make an appointment later in the agenda.
Attachments:
Applications
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APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT
TO CITY BOARDS/COMMITTEES/AND COMMISSIONS I
ilra
*
Citv Boards. Commissions. and Committees
The City Council appoints members to various boards, committees, and commissions as listed below:
. Planning Commission
. Desigr Review Board
. Public Arts Committee
. Other Miscellaneous Boards/Committees/Commission as Approved by the City Council The bodies are comprised of community members who volunteer for service and are appointed by the City Council.
All committee members serve at the pleasure of the City Council. The primary responsibility of the committees is to implement adopted City policy, and advise and make recommendations to the City Council. The adoption of policies, the issuance ofproclamations, and the approval of agreements and other offrcial acts of the City are the responsibility ofthe City Council. The City Manager desigrrates as official staffliaison to each committee.
Annlication Process
When a vaczurcy on a board, committee or commission occurs, the City Clerk prepmes a press release that is distributed to local media, including the Sonoma West County Times and News. The vacancy is also announced at City Hall and on the City of Sebastopol's web site http:i/ci.sebastopol.ca.us/ Applications for vacancies are obtained from the City Clerk's office and completed applications are submitted to the City Clerk's office. Three to four weeks after the vacancy announcement, the completed applications me forwarded to the City Council in a regular agenda packet for public review. The City Council interviews all applicants at a meeting open to the public. The official appointment of Commission, Board or Committee members is made at a City Council meeting.
Terms of Ofrice
Board, commission, and committee members generally serye two, three, or four-year overlapping terms. There is no monetary compensation or benefits for board, commission, or committee members.
The City Council may reappoint incumbent members or fill vacancies with new appointees. Some bodies limit the number of consecutive terms an individual may serve.
Members are expected to serve their full terms of office; however, when a member must resign, due to personal or professional circumstances, he/she should send a letter to the City Council stating the effective date of the resignation. A member shall be removed from office upon three affrmative votes of the City Council, based on one of the following grounds:
. At the pleasne of the City Council, without cause:
. If he/she is absent from three consecutive meetings, unless permission by a majority vote of the board, committee or commission had been granted as reflected in the ofEcial minutes of the body. . Or by operation of the City Code if:
. If he/she is convicted of a crime ofmoral turpitude.
. If he/she ceases to be a qualified board, commission or committee memberperthe City of Sebastopol Municipal Code.
General Responsibilities of Boards, Commissions, and Committees City boards, commissions, and committees shall have the following general powers, duties and responsibilities in addition to those set forth in the Sebastopol Municipal Code and various Resolutions:
. To establish rules and regulations goveming the election of their officers, the holding of meetings and the conduct of business for these meetings.
. To use all appropriate techniques in crystallizing and testing public sentiment on major public issues in their respective fields.
. To hold official hemings as required by law or requested by the City Council.
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. To advise and recommend on Crty policies and procedures pertinent to their respective activities and functions. . To support and adhere to all City policies promulgated by the City Council and to establish needed interim policies in the absence of the same.
. To provide information and promote good public relations between the City and the general public. . To perform such other related functions as may be assigned to them by the City Council.
Desirable Characteristics in Applicantsfor Boards, Commissions, and Committees While membership on City boards, committees and commissions requires no specific qualifications, with the exception of some seats on the Design Review Board and the Public Arts Committee, there are desirable characteristics for which the Council will be looking as they review applications:
. Familiarity with Community
The Council would require appointees to be familiar with the physical, social, and economic make-up of the City.
Applicants should have demonstrated an active interest and involvement in the community.
Familiarity with Major Issues
While it will be assumed that applicants are familiar with the specific issues that are being addressed by the board, committee or commission forwhich they are applying, it is also expected that applicants be aware of issues which will impact all sectors of City programs and services.
Knowledge ofthe Board, Commission or Committee
During the application process, applicants should become familiar with the responsibilities and role in the City's policy-making structure of the board, committee or commission for which they are applying.
Commitment to Sewe
When appointed, members are expected to serve their term of office. While personal or professional circumstances might prompt an unexpected resignation, applicants who are aware of any reasons why they may not be able to complete a full term or attend regularly scheduled meetings, should indicate this on the application. While time commitments will vary depending upon schedules and workload, members are expected to attend all scheduled meetings. In addition to attending scheduled meetings, members may be expected to participate in study sessions or serve on subcommittees.
Relationship with the Community
As a member of a City board, committee or commission, your actions will reflect on the City of Sebastopol and you are required to relate to the community with impartiality and courtesy.
Commitment to City Policy:
The City Council has adopted ordinances and policies following an appropriate public process. As an appointed board, committee or commission member, your duty is to abide by such policies rather than implement personal preferences.
Tins for Anplyins for a Citv Board. Commission. or Committee Type or neatly print your application. Due to the quantity of applications the Council must review, a neat application is appreciated.
Answer all questions on the application. Council reviews your application to gain an understanding of your background and experience, and what skills and talents you believe you could bring to a pailiculm board, committee or commission. Don't forget to sign and date your application.
Attend one or two meetings of the board, committee or commission for which you are applyrng. Find out what the current issues are, and what issues may be coming in the future. Review the minutes of past meetings, available on the City web site or at City Hall depending on the appointrnent being applied for.
Talk to a cunent member. Current members can share with you their experience, they can give you an estimate of the time commitment involved, and they can discuss with you what they see as current and future issues for the City.
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If you have questions about the function and role of members, talk with the City staffliaison to the board, committee or commission you are applying for. The City Clerk can provide contact information for City staff members who are assigned to work with the boards, committees and commissions. It is important to note that City staff members cannot and do not recommend or lobby for any applicant.
Find out City Council's priorities and interests. Attend City Council meetings and review meeting minutes. Council meeting videos are mchived on the City's website http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/ and are available for purchase on DVD from the City Clerk's OfEce.
Review the Code of Ethics for Appointed and Elected Officials (the Brown Act), available by request from the City Clerk's Office and understand that if you are appointed to a board, committee or commission, you will be required to abide by it.
Prepare for the interview. Although we do not know what specific questions Council will ask, we suggest that you clarify for yourself why you are applying for a specific board, committee or commission, understand its role and function, and be familiarwith the current issues it is examining.
Treat the interview with City Council as a business or job interview. Understand that the City Council is not only considering what experience, skills and talents you bring, they are interested in how you will represent the City.
APPLICATTON FOR CITY OF SEBASTOPOL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES Contact Information
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
Mary Gourley
TL20BodegaAvenue
P.O. Box 1776
Sebastopol, CA95473
Mgourley@cityofsebastopol. org
phone: 707-823-1153
fax: 707-823-1135
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday - 7:00 am - 5:30 pm (closed 12:00 pm - l:00 pm for lunch) Closed every Friday
Instructions:
Use this form to apply to serve on any of the City of Sebastopol's Boards, Committees or Commissions. Please complete the entire form and either print and mail it to the address abovq or email your completed application to [email protected]. If a question does not apply, please note as not applicable. Please deliver completed form, by the date and time due, to the City Clerk. All applications will be reviewed by the City Council.
If appointed, you have a choice whether you wish to have your contact information visible to the public; however, your information may be made public upon request by (a) membe(s) of the public.
Board, Cornmission, or Committee being applied for? Review Review Board Name: Lynn Deedler
Home Address, City, State and Zip Code:
1777 Bollinger Lane
Sebastopol, 95472
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Home Phone Number: 7o7 823-330s
If appointed, do you want this number to be visible to the public? lYes nNo
Work Phone Number: na
If appointed do you want this number to be visible to the public? nYes nNo
Facsimile Number: na
If appointed, do you want this number to be visible to the public? nYes nNo
E-Mail AddreSS: [email protected] If
appointed do you want this address to be visible to the public? lYes rNo
Are you a registered voter in Sebastopol?
nYes lNo
If so, for how long? _
Do you hold a current business license from the City of Sebastopol? nYes lNo
Ifso, for how long?
For Design Review Board Applicants:
Design Revicw Board Supplemental Questions:
Which Category are you Applying For?
Categorv A
O LicensedArchitect
O Licensed Landscape Architect
Catesory B
O Licenses Architect
O Licensed Landscape Architect
O Unlicensed Building Desigrer
O LiceruedBuilding Contractor
O LandscapeContractor
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Category C
O Any ApplicantNot in Category A or Category B
Catesory D
O Any Applicant from Category A or who possesses a particular expertise in the area of design, land use patterrts, urban development or other related fields to serve at any meeting or on any matter in the absence of a Board member, or in the event a member has a conflict of interest.
Have you attended a meeting of this body? When?
Approx 100 as DRB member, S as DRB applicant
Have you served on, interviewed for, or applied for this body previously? lYes nNo
If so, when? DRB member, 2OO1 - 2018
Present retired
Job ritre:Commercial Building Contractor,
Have you previously served on any governmental bodies or held elected office? If so please list position held and dut"tt lues Pool Board, 20oo - 2019
Design Review Board, 2001 - 2018
Complete Streets Committee,2Ol2 - 2015
Please list civic or charitable organaationto which you belong or have belonged:
Sebastopol TrailMakers board member, 2010 - 2016
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, board member, 2000 - 2O2l Sebastopol Community Church, 1981 - 2022
Have you been an officer in any of these organizations? [f so, please list position held and dates:
na
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What special interests, skills and talents would you bring to this board, commissiono or committee? For many years I have b€en intereld in the look and feel of Sebastopol. Our community has desireable characteristics worth preserving. I have an underslanding ol what it takes to preserve lhis, particularly lhe archilecture, signage and trees.
I have traveled a good deal in the US. I have looked at many towns of similar size to see how successfully they have handled growh and infill, how they have blended new projects with the older desireable characterists of their towns.
Please list any college, professional or vocational schools you have attended with major subject studied, dates and any eamed degrees:
$an Jose State University, BS in lndustrialTechnology, Standard Secondary Teaching Credential, Junior College Teaching Credential, Master in Education. 1964 - 1975
Please list any special awmds or recognition you have received:
Please state why you would like to become a member of this board, commission or Committee, including what specific objectives you would be working toward as a member of this body:
Recently several new prominent buildings have been approved or built that are not fiiling in our town. Each may be good architecture, but they are not fitting. "Show otf architecture."
This is my town. I care about it. This is an area that I know about.
Are you associated with any organization/employment that might be deemed a conflict of interest in performing your duties if appointed to this position?
nYes tNo
Ifyes, please state name of organization/employment:_
City policy directs all appointedo advisory body members not to vote on matters where there exists a potential conflict of interest such as properly ownership near a project, or a financial relationship with the applicant. Would you be willing to abstain from voting if such a conflict arises? lYes nNo
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How did you hear about this opening?
News letter
Is there any other infonnation that you feel would be useful to the City Council in reviewing your application and materials provided with the application?
The intorduction to the San Luis Obispo Design Review Guidelines starts with a comment. "lf you do not work to protect the town character, soon the town will look like like everywhere else, and like nowhere."
I believe in this for Sebastopol.
What do you think qualifies you to be appointed to this board/committee/commission? I know our town well, and have watched it grow for many years.
I have built live commercial buildings in Sebastopol, and parcipated in the design ol three.
I know the Sebastopol Design Guidelines, the Sign Guidelines, and Tree Ordinance well, and have personal and prolessional experience in each area.
I care about how our town evolves.
Are there particular issues you think the board/committee/commission should concentrate on? The Design Ordinance needs to be revised and updated, less vague, more demanding, particully in the town core.
The Sign Ordinance needs revision in many ways. ie. Years back Main Street had large interesting signs that contributed the town's town's vibrant feel. The town changed to the conservitive restrictive sign trend. Much of the current signage is ineffecctive even if it were easy to see.
Pedestrian walk throughs need more importance in both neighborhoods and town.
Tree preservation should be more important both for the private sector and the City. ie. Beautiful trees have been removed for cost reasons, to save a parking spaces or concrete problems.
How should community comments be integrated into the board/committee/commission decision-making process? As a representative of the City the public should be heard with respect. Sometimes publlic comments show great insignt. Sometimes comments are emotional, personal or selfish.
Hear them all.
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If appointed, how would you handle it if another board/committee/commission member vehemently disagrees with your comments on a regular basis?
ln my tenure on the DBB I have seen little of this. I do think it is poor form to immediately disagree with another's point of view immediately as a colleague finishes. Let all ideas float for a while. Respect and good manners are important for good decision making.
How would you handle a situation where a proposal comes before your board/committee/commission that the City stafffinds consistent with City policies and standards, but that you personally do not support? Some times policy should prevail. Sometimes exceptions should be made. lwould present my thinking if the exeption was warranted. I have done. r' I certiS that I have thoroughly read and understand all material in this application.
Applicant's
Applicant's Name
our". Nov. 24, 2022
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