REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint Applicants to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Board of Library Trustees, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission, Planning Commission and Sustainability Commission
Report
DISCUSSION
The City has 10 Council-appointed boards and commissions to recommend and advise City Council on specific policy-related issues for possible Council study and action, and to provide a forum and opportunity for broad community participation in the identification and prioritization of those issues. The term length for boards and commissions is four years, with staggered terms expiring June 30 of each year. Council makes appointments annually in May to fill seats with expiring terms to serve with an effective date of July 1. In addition, the Council fills vacancies as necessary quarterly throughout the year.
Below is the list of current applicants, the applicants’ preferences as indicated on their application (when the applicant has applied for more than one board or commission), and terms of appointments. Applicant information is available upon request from the Office of the City Clerk at cityclerk@sunnyvale.ca.gov or 408-730-7483.
Per Council Policy 7.2.19 Boards and Commissions, appointments of board and commission members are placed on the City Council meeting agenda. The appointment process is conducted by one of the following two methods, at the discretion of the Mayor:
Individual Candidate Votes: The Mayor will announce by board or commission each vacancy including its term, and then will read each applicant’s name. Council will vote on each applicant. The candidate receiving the most affirmative votes and at least four affirmative votes will be appointed. The process is repeated for each board or commission.
Paper Votes: The Mayor will announce each board or commission in an order predetermined by the City Clerk to facilitate a speedy process and to accommodate applicants who specify multiple preferences. The City Clerk will distribute individual voting sheets to be completed by each Councilmember. The candidate receiving the most votes and at least four affirmative votes will be appointed.
Resolving ties: Should a tie between the candidates receiving the most affirmative votes occur, the affected applicants will be voted on again. If a tie still remains, and the affected applicants each have received at least four affirmative votes, the Mayor would ask the City Attorney to draw the name of the person to be appointed.
Should no candidate receive at least four affirmative votes, the vacancy will remain.
Arts Commission (one term to 6/30/2022)
No applicants
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Category Two, two terms to 6/30/2022*)
John Cordes (Category Two - only preference)
Shana Padgett (Category One or Two - 3rd preference)
Board of Library Trustees (one term to 6/30/2022)
Carey Lai (2nd preference)
Heritage Preservation Commission (two terms to 6/30/2022)
David Wu (3rd preference)
Housing and Human Services Commission (one term to 6/30/2022)
David Wu (4th preference)
Personnel Board (Employee-Nominated Seat, one term to 6/30/2022)
No applicants
Planning Commission (two terms to 6/30/2022)
Ken Rheaume (only preference)
Sue Harrison (only preference)
David Wu (1st preference)
Diana Nguyen (only preference)
Shana Padgett (1st preference)
Neela Shukla (only preference)
Carey Lai (1st preference)
Sustainability Commission (two terms to 6/30/2022**)
Shana Padgett (Category One - 2nd preference)
Douglas Kunz (Category One - only preference)
* Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission must have four Category One members and three Category Two members; the balance of the current makeup is four Category One and one Category Two members.
**Sustainability Commission must have a minimum of three Category One members and a minimum of one Category Two member(s); the balance of the current makeup is four Category One and one Category Two members.
Terms will be effective July 1, 2018. Following appointments, the staff liaison for each board or commission will provide a board/commission-specific orientation and each new member is required to take the Oath of Office, sign the Model of Excellence and attend the Board and Commission Orientation hosted by the Office of the City Clerk. A ceremonial oath will be offered to all incoming members. Continuing vacancies will be scheduled for the recruitment process in August 2018.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.2.19 Boards and Commissions
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint commissioners from the applicants listed in this report.
2. Provide other direction to staff on how to proceed.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative: Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Prepared by: Kathleen Franco Simmons, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager