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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion and Direction Regarding Vacancies on the Planning Commission, Landlord Tenant Mediation Board, Disability Advisory Committee, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee; (2) Consideration of Recommended Appointment of the Culver City Unified School District Representative to Seat #9 of the Finance Advisory Committee; and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: January 27, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Jeremy Bocchino/City Manager’s
Phone Number: (310) 253-5851
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/222025)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (01/21/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction to the City Manager on (1) the vacancies on the Planning Commission, the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board (LTMB), Disability Advisory Committee (DAC), and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee (MLK/JCAC); (2) consider the recommended appointment of Santhasundari (“Santha”) Rajiv, Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, as the CCUSD Representative Appointment to Seat #9 of the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC); and (3) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
Unscheduled vacancies have arisen on the Planning Commission, LTMB, DAC, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee, and the FAC. Staff is requesting direction from the City Council on addressing these vacancies.
Planning Commission
On October 1, 2024 Commissioner Jackson Brissette resigned because he moved out of Culver City. The available Seat No.4 is for an unexpired term through June 30, 2028. Given that the term is longer than two years it shall be considered a full term with regard to term limits.
Landlord Tenant Mediation Board
There are two vacancies available for appointment to full terms. On June 10, 2024, during the annual recruitment period, former Member Jackson Brisette was appointed to the Planning Commission. The Member-At-Large Seat No. 4 is available for an unexpired term through June 30, 2027. Member Wyatt Gray was hired as an Associate Analyst in the Public Works Department for Culver City, making him ineligible to remain on the LTMB. The Tenant Seat No. 4 is available for an unexpired term through June 30, 2027.
Disability Advisory Committee
On January 10, 2025 Member Ketsha Thompson forfeited her seat due to lack of attendance at the DAC meetings. She has not been responsive to staff’s efforts to reach out to her. Seat No. 8 is available for an unexpired term through June 30, 2027. Given that the term is longer than two years it shall be considered a full term.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee
At the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee meeting the October 16, 2024, Member David Duval resigned. Seat No. 5 is available for an unexpired term through June 30, 2028. Because the remaining term is longer than two years, it shall be considered a full term with regard to term limits.
Finance Advisory Committee
The Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) consists of nine (9) members appointed by the City Council, with one (1) of those members being a representative of the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD). The CCUSD Representative shall be appointed by the CCUSD Board of Education, with the Board being able to delegate the appointment to the CCUSD Superintendent. The CCUSD representative appointment shall be subject to final approval of the City Council.
On February 21, 2023, staff received a notice of resignation from Robert Quinn, CCUSD Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, who was retiring from CCUSD in April, 2023.
The School District has recommended that Santhasundari (“Santha”) Rajiv, CCUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, be appointed as the CCUSD Member of the FAC.
The Bylaws of the FAC state that Labor Representatives and CCUSD Representatives will not have set terms but shall serve for at least two years prior to a replacement being proposed, barring circumstances beyond the individual’s control.
DISCUSSION
The City Council may wish to consider one of the following options for each body:
1. Defer to the annual process: If the City Council chooses to proceed in this manner, advertisement for these vacancies will occur as part of the next regular recruitment (for which advertising begins in late March 2025.) City Council consideration of appointments is tentatively scheduled for the regular meeting of June 9, 2025.
2. Consider the 2024 broad pool: Consider the entire 2024 pool of approximately 25 eligible prior applicants from all bodies (broad pool). If the broad pool is selected, the City Clerk’s Office would confirm eligible applicants’ interest in being considered for a vacant Planning Commission, LTMB, DAC, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee position. Staff would return to the City Council with an item to consider appointments at an upcoming Regular Meeting.
3. Consider the 2024 targeted pool: The City Council may wish to consider the 2024 pool of applicants who applied specifically to the body and were not appointed. The Planning Commission 2024 pool consists of 6 eligible prior applicants. The LTMB 2024 pool for the tenant position consists of 1 eligible prior applicant. Consideration of a targeted pool for the Member-at-Large LTMB position is not applicable as the only eligible prior applicant has already been appointed (Velma Harrison). The DAC 2024 pool consists of 4 eligible prior applicants. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee 2024 pool consists of 4 eligible prior applicants. If the targeted pool is selected, the City Clerk’s Office would confirm eligible applicants’ interest in being considered for a vacant Planning Commission, LTMB, DAC, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee positions. Staff would return to the City Council with an item to consider appointments at an upcoming Regular Meeting.
4. Hold a special application period: Direct the City Clerk to advertise for any or all of the vacancies. Staff would return to the City Council with an item to consider appointments at an upcoming Regular Meeting.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There will be no cost if a special appointment process is not held or if it is held but outreach is done via email and social media only. There would be a potential advertising cost of approximately $900 if the City Council directs the City Clerk to advertise for the vacancies in the newspaper. This amount will be paid from the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in Account #10111100.517300 (City Clerk - Advertising and Public Relations) which can be found in the General Government section of the budget book on page 155.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Direct the City Clerk to defer until the annual process.;
OR
2. Direct the City Clerk to contact previous applicants of specific CBCs (selecting either broad pool or targeted pool) for appointment consideration at an upcoming regular meeting;
AND/ OR
3. Direct the City Clerk to commence advertising the vacancies of selected CBCs (with or without paid advertisements) for appointment consideration at upcoming regular meeting;
AND
4. Appoint Santhasundari (“Santha”) Rajiv, to Seat No. 9 - CCUSD Representative on the Finance Advisory Committee, for a minimum term through June 30, 2027;
AND
5. Provide other direction as deemed necessary.