City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 4 January 20, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 4.1
DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Boards, Commissions, and Committees Interviews (January 20, 2026) and Discussion of the Appointment Process
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This staff report provides an overview of the applicants scheduled for interview to fill current and upcoming vacancies on City boards, commissions, and committees. It outlines the interview process and schedule for City Council consideration for the January 20, 2026, Special City Council Meeting. The City Council previously accepted two latereceived Planning Commission applications, and the applicants have been included in the interview schedule for this meeting. No appointments are proposed at this time; the City Council will consider the Mayor’s appointments at a subsequent meeting following the completion of interviews.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This item supports the City Council’s adopted Strategic Plan, specifically:
• Goal B – Governance and Organizational Effectiveness:
By conducting a structured recruitment and interview process for City boards, commissions, and committees, the City promotes effective governance practices.
It ensures that advisory bodies are adequately staffed to support informed decision-making.
• Goal E – Communication and Outreach:
The recruitment process and public interview format encourage civic engagement and provide residents with opportunities to participate in local government, strengthening transparency and community involvement.
Conducting interviews for open seats ensures continuity of operations across advisory bodies and supports the City’s long-term governance objectives.
Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 4 January 20, 2026 3 6 BACKGROUND
The City Clerk’s Office conducted a recruitment to address current and upcoming vacancies on various City boards, commissions, and committees. Following consultation with the Mayor, a subset of applicants was selected to be brought forward to the City Council for interview.
Applicants were contacted to confirm availability. The interview order is intended to manage the overall meeting length and provide sufficient time for each applicant.
SEATS IN SCOPE FOR THIS INTERVIEW CYCLE
Arts & Culture Commission
• One (1) Commissioner seat with a term expiring March 8, 2026 • One (1) vacant Alternate Commissioner seat
Economic Development Advisory Team (EDAT)
• One (1) vacant at-large member seat
Human Relations Commission
• One (1) Commissioner seat with a term that expired August 31, 2025 • Two (2) Commissioner seats expiring January 2026
• One (1) vacant Alternate Commissioner seat
Parks & Recreation Commission
• Two (2) vacant Alternate Commissioner seats
Planning Commission
• Two (2) Commissioner seats expiring January 9, 2026
• One (1) Commissioner seat expiring February 2026 (currently held by Commissioner Seyi McLelland)
• One (1) vacant Alternate Commissioner seat
Senior Citizens Commission
• One (1) Commissioner seat expiring February 2026 (Mayor recommending reappointment of the incumbent Commissioner; no interview proposed) • One (1) vacant Alternate Commissioner seat
DISCUSSION
Applicants Scheduled for Interview – January 20, 2026 (Special City Council Meeting)
The following applicants are scheduled to be interviewed by the City Council:
• 5:00 PM – Kendahyl Wallace (Parks & Recreation Commission; Planning Commission)
• 5:15 PM – Ann Yap-Jequinto (Planning Commission)
• 5:30 PM – Martin Jequinto (Human Relations Commission) • 5:45 PM – Seyi McLelland (Planning Commission, incumbent) • 6:00 PM – Harinder Kaur (Human Relations Commission; Economic Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 3 of 4 January 20, 2026 3 6 Development Advisory Team)
• 6:15 PM – Adrian Hipolito (Parks & Recreation Commission; Human Relations Commission)
• 6:30 PM – Darrin Ransom (Planning Commission; Human Relations Commission; Economic Development Advisory Team; Parks & Recreation Commission; Senior Citizens Commission)
• 6:45 PM – Trevor Frodsham (Human Relations Commission) • 7:00 PM – Zhongjie You (Planning Commission) (Late application accepted by City Council)
• 7:15 PM – Kaleolani Diego (Planning Commission) (Late application accepted by City Council)
Interview times are approximate and subject to change based on the pace of the meeting and Council discussion. Applicants have been asked to arrive at 5:00 PM to ensure availability as the schedule progresses.
One applicant, Michelle Bruessard, applied for the Human Relations Commission and Senior Citizens Commission and did not respond during scheduling. In addition, as noted in the January 9, 2026, staff report, the Mayor has indicated that Lee Guio will be nominated for EDAT and Thu Thai will be renominated for the Senior Citizens Commission. The January 9, 2026, staff report is attached as Attachment C.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
At the January 20, 2026 Special City Council Meeting, the City Council will:
• Continue to interview applicants for open seats on Boards, Commissions, and Committees; and
• Discuss the appointment process and next steps.
The Mayor’s final appointments are expected to be considered at a subsequent regular City Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with conducting the interviews. Staff time related to recruitment, application processing, and interview coordination is absorbed within the City Clerk's Office's existing operating budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Conduct interviews with applicants for open seats on City Boards, Commissions, and Committees at the January 20, 2026 Special Meeting; and
2. Discuss the appointment process and next steps.
Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 3 of 4 January 20, 2026 3 6 Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 4 of 4 January 20, 2026 3 6 Prepared by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Submitted by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Attachments
1. Attachment A – January 20, 2026 Applicant Packet
2. Attachment B – January 9, 2026 Applicant Packet
3. Attachment C – January 9, 2026 Staff Report