TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Liza Tamura, City Clerk
Martha Alvarez, Assistant City Clerk
Breana Contreras, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Accepting the Resignation from Parking and Public Improvements Commissioner Becker, Declaring Vacant the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 2 (Business Community Seat), and Directing the City Clerk to Conduct Public Outreach for the Vacant Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 2 (Business Community Seat) (City Clerk Tamura).
A) ACCEPT RESIGNATION
B) DECLARE VACANCY
C) DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO CONDUCT PUBLIC OUTREACH
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
a) Accept the resignation from Parking and Public Improvements Commissioner, Kit Becker;
b) Declare vacant the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 2 (Business Community Seat); and
c) Direct the City Clerk to conduct public outreach.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Sufficient funds are available in the City Clerk’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget for public outreach efforts.
BACKGROUND:
The Parking and Public Improvements Commission, established by resolution, consists of five members and serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council regarding public parking issues, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), traffic management, activities within the public right-of-way including encroachment permits, undergrounding utilities, and environmental enhancements.
On October 24, 2024, the City Clerk’s office received the letter of resignation from Commissioner Becker; therefore, effectively leaving the Parking and Public Improvements Commission, Seat No. 2, Business Community seat vacant.
Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) § 2.44.040 states, “Whenever an unscheduled vacancy occurs on a Commission, Board or Committee, a special notice is to be posted in the City Clerk’s office, and in other places as directed by the City Council within twenty (20) days after the City receives notice of the vacancy.”
DISCUSSION:
The term for Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 2 is due to expire on May 31, 2026. The Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) Section 2.44.070 states, “If a vacant seat has more than 18 months remaining in its term, the new member would complete the original term and then seek reappointment via the regular procedures for the next three-year term.” The new member appointed to this seat will complete the original term of office, expiring May 31, 2026, and seek reappointment for the next three-year term.
On April 23, 2024, 12 individuals were interviewed for two available Member At-Large seats on the Parking and Public Improvements Commission. These interviews were specifically for the Member At-Large seats and did not include the Business Community seat.
The Parking and Public Improvements Commission Business Community seat requires that the applicant own and/or operate a business located in the City (excludes home-based businesses), and have a business license registered with the City. This seat does not require that the commissioner live or be registered to vote in Manhattan Beach.
Staff will conclude public outreach at the scheduled application deadline of Friday, January 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The appointment to this seat is tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday, January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Upon the City Council’s approval to declare the seat vacant, the City Council can direct the City Clerk’s Office to conduct public outreach; a notice will be published in the Beach Reporter; post notices at City Hall, Manhattan Heights, and Joslyn Community Center bulletin boards; notify the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business and Professional Association, and the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District of the vacancy; on the City’s website; the City’s social media channels; and GovDelivery notifications to website subscribers.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Resignation Letter - Commissioner Becker