MEETING DATE:
JUNE 25, 2024
SUBJECT:
Title
APPOINTMENTS TO CITY BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
APPOINT individuals to positions on City Boards, Committees and Commissions.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable.
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Good Governance
Introduction
The City Council has established boards and commissions to assist with various functions of the City. The roles of the boards and commissions vary from making decisions to making recommendations to the City Council. These boards and commissions consist of individuals who meet certain criteria outlined in bylaws, Municipal Code or resolution. The City Council has the opportunity every year to review the vacant and expiring positions with the opportunity to appoint new individuals to serve in those positions. Commission terms range from two (2) to four (4) years. Pursuant to Government Code Section 1302, “every officer whose term has expired shall continue to discharge the duties of his/her office until his/her successor has qualified” and been appointed by the City Council.
As part of the board and commission appointment process, the City enables and ensures all citizens of the City, pursuant to the Maddy Act (Act), have equal access to specific and current information about the many local regulating and advisory boards, commissions, and committees. The Act provides citizens equal opportunity to be informed of vacancies which shall occur, so that they may pursue, participate in, and contribute to the operations of local government by serving on such boards, commissions and committees. In compliance with the Act, the notice of vacancies was posted on the City’s website. The application period was from April 24, 2024 to June 14, 2024, with an extension made to June 19, 2024. The City Clerk’s Office received a total of 9 applicants for Commission vacancies. Applications were then screened by the City Clerk’s Office to ensure that eligibility requirements met each respective board’s governing documents. Qualified applicants were invited to attend the June 25, 2024, City Council meeting to be interviewed and to provide an opportunity to speak to their qualifications for service.
Discussion
The City Council has the opportunity to annually consider making appointments to various City boards, committees, and commissions. The Council is reminded that for those appointments which carry a stipend, the provisions of San Marcos Municipal Code Chapter 2.16 (Controls on Campaign Contributions) restrict Council Member action on campaign contributors of $100 or more. See section 2.16.070. In the event an applicant has made such a contribution to a Council Member within the last 12 months, that Council Member state the financial disqualification on the record and must then leave the dais during any action and consideration concerning that candidate.
The Mayor is the appointing authority with approval from the City Council as delineated in the Municipal Code or by City Council Resolution for the following commissions:
• Youth Commission - SMMC Section 9.12.010
Committees with either General City Council appointment authority, or unspecified appointment authority:
• Budget Review Committee - Resolution No. 1997-4900
• Climate Action Plan Working Group - Resolution No. 2020-8820
Listed are the following vacancies:
|
Commission/Committee/Board |
Term (Years) |
Vacancies |
|
Budget Review Committee |
3 |
1 Regular Position |
|
Climate Action Plan Working Group |
2 |
1 Regular Position |
|
Youth Commission |
3 |
4 Regular, 1 Alternate Positions |
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1302, “every officer whose term has expired shall continue to discharge the duties of his/her office until his/her successor has qualified” and been appointed by the City Council.
The following is a list of the commission, committee and board vacancies with term, stipend (if any), and qualifications for serving in that position. Qualified applicants are listed below alphabetically. Applicants noted with an (*) are serving as alternates, but seeking regular positions.
Budget Review Committee: One (1) regular scheduled vacancy; 3-year term - new term expires 06/30/2027.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits and be a qualified elector of the City or be a business within the City or be a business location manager for a business within the City
• Commissioner whose term expired is Kathleen Smith (Regular - Expired)
• Stipend per meeting: None
Applicants:
|
Kathleen Smith (Reapplying) |
Jamie Minotti (1st Choice) † |
|
Justin Gans (2nd Choice) |
Samuel Witt (1st Choice) |
†Current business owner within the City
Climate Action Plan Working Group: One (1) regular unscheduled vacancy; 2-year term - term expires 12/31/2026.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits and be a qualified elector, with a preference of at least 2 members having had experience in the power, electricity, and/or renewable energy fields.
• Commissioner who resigned is John Larisey (Regular - Resigned)
• Stipend per meeting: None
Applicants:
|
Justin Gans (1st Choice)Samuel Witt (2nd Choice) |
|
Youth Commission: One (1) regular scheduled vacancy; 3-year term - new term expires 06/30/2027, One (1) alternate scheduled vacancy; 3-year term - new term expires 06/30/2027, Three (3) regular unscheduled vacancies.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits or within the boundaries of the San Marcos Unified School District; have completed the sixth grade but not yet attained the age of twenty-one years at the time of the appointment.
• Commissioners whose terms expired or have an unscheduled vacancy are Nikita Jadhav (Regular - Expired), Sophia Scollick (Alternate - Expired), Rena Damian (Regular - Resigned-Term Expires 6/2026), Jasmine Hasan (Regular - Resigned-Term Expires 6/2025), and Harish Saravanakumar (Regular - Resigned-Term Expires 6/2025)
• Stipend per meeting: Chair - $30 per meeting / Commissioner - $15 per meeting
Applicants:
|
Sophia Scollick (Reapplying) |
Atharva Jadhav |
|
Ava Scollick |
Madison Emoto-Garay |
|
Savera Sekhon |
|
Fiscal Impact
The Fiscal Year 2024-25 stipends and membership costs have been budgeted in the General Fund (100) in the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operations and Maintenance Budget. Future stipends and memberships costs will continue to be budgeted in the General Fund.
Attachment(s)
2024 June Commission Vacancies and Attendance List
Applications and Statements
Prepared by: Micki Olinger Chavez, Deputy City Clerk
Reviewed by: Phillip Scollick, City Clerk
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager