Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council
Regular Meeting of March 28, 2023
Title
PLANNING COMMISSION-TWO UPCOMING
VACANCIES FOR THE TERM
ENDING JUNE 30, 2027
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Direct staff to immediately advertise and request applications from interested parties for two Planning Commission vacancies for the term ending June 30, 2027; and
2. Schedule the presentation of applicants and applicant interviews on or before the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 with the option to make an appointment on the same date.
Body
Executive Summary:
The City Council filled one special vacancy on the Planning Commission with Jonathan Wicks at its special meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023, for the term ending June 30, 2023. Staff requests Council direction to begin the application process to fill two upcoming vacancies ending June 30, 2023.
Background:
In accordance with Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Chapter 2.32, the Planning Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the City Council. Members of the Planning Commission shall be qualified electors of the City.
Key duties of the Planning Commission are to maintain and enhance the environment of the community, which entails advance or long-range planning (updating of the General Plan and specific elements), current planning (short-range projects), and land use controls (administering to the code and review of all subdivisions and zoning petitions). The Commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council on all matters pertaining to zoning, conditional use permit process, and more.
Past Council Actions
|
Meeting Date |
Description |
|
February 27, 2023 |
The City Council appointed Jonathan Wicks to fill the term ending June 30, 2023 at a special meeting on February 27, 2023 after the Planning Commission seat was vacated with the election of Councilmember Saemann in November 2022. |
Discussion:
Following established procedures, staff requests City Council direction to advertise for two Planning Commission member positions set to expire on June 30, 2023. If so directed, the City Clerk would prepare a notice for physical posting and publication in the Easy Reader on April 7, 2023.
Based on the advertising date, staff would set an application filing deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Applications from interested parties would be presented to the City Council at a special meeting on or before the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Appointments can be made by the City Council at the same meeting. The two appointments to the Planning Commission would be for the terms ending June 30, 2027.
The City Clerk has recent applications on file from Angie Silverman, Anne Williams, Kate Hirsch, and Liliana Lettieri. City Council may direct staff to advertise one or both upcoming Planning Commission vacancies, and direct staff to reach out to past applicants for reconsideration by the City Council.
General Plan Consistency:
This report and associated recommendation have been evaluated for their consistency with the City’s General Plan. Relevant Policies are listed below:
Governance Element
Goal 1. A high degree of transparency and integrity in the decision-making process.
Policies:
• 1.1 Open meetings. Maintain the community’s trust by holding meetings in which decisions are being made, that are open and available for all community members to attend, participate, or view remotely.
• 1.4 Consensus oriented. Strive to utilize a consensus-oriented decision-making process.
• 1.7 Diversity of representation. Strive to reflect a comprehensive cross-section of the community in appointments to Commission and Advisory Committees.
Goal 2. The community is active and engaged in decision-making process.
Policies:
• 2.3 Public participation guidelines. Establish parameters and guidelines to ensure public participation is promoted through diverse methods.
• 2.6 Responsive to community needs. Continue to be responsive to community inquiries, providing public information and recording feedback from community interactions.
Fiscal Impact:
The estimated cost of one publication in the Easy Reader would be $200. Funds are available in the City Clerk’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget.
Attachments:
1. Link to February 27, 2023 City Council Agenda
Respectfully Submitted by: Myra Maravilla, City Clerk
Concur: Carrie Tai, Community Development Director
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager