TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Liza Tamura, City Clerk
Martha Alvarez, Assistant City Clerk
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Accepting the Resignation from Parking and Public Improvements Commissioner D’Amico, Declare Vacant the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 4 (Business Community Seat), and Direct the City Clerk to Conduct Public Outreach for the Vacant Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 4 (Business Community Seat) (City Clerk Tamura).
A) ACCEPT RESIGNATION
B) DECLARE VACANCY
C) DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO CONDUCT PUBLIC OUTREACH
Line
_________________________________________________________
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
a) accept the resignation from Parking and Public Improvements Commissioner, Stephen D’Amico;
b) declare vacant the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 4 (Business Community Seat); and
c) direct the City Clerk to conduct public outreach.
Body
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Sufficient funds are available in the City Clerk’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 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.
The City Clerk’s Office received the letter of resignation from Commissioner D’Amico; therefore, effectively leaving the Parking and Public Improvements Commission, Seat No. 4, 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 other places as directed by the City Council within twenty (20) days after the City receives notice of the vacancy.”
DISCUSSION:
The Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) Section 2.44.070 states, “If a vacant seat has 18 months or less remaining in its term, the new member would complete the original term and automatically be re-appointed to a three-year term without further ceremony.” The new member appointed to this seat will complete the original term of office, expiring May 31, 2025, and automatically be reappointed to a three-year term expiring on May 31, 2028.
On April 25, 2023, the City Clerk’s Office conducted the annual Boards and Commissions Interviews, in which the City Clerk received two interested applicants (Kit Becker and Noelle Isbell) for the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Seat No. 2 (Business Community Seat). On May 2, 2023, the City Council appointed Kit Becker to the Parking and Public Improvements Business Community Seat No. 2. Ms. Isabell was notified that her application would remain on file in the event there was a vacancy before the next Annual Boards and Commissions Interview and Appointment Process in 2024. On Monday, November 13, 2023, Ms. Isabell was notified of the current vacancy. On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Ms. Isabell stated that she is not interested in pursuing the current PPIC vacancy at this time.
The Parking and Public Improvement Corporation 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. Commissioners must also be a resident of Manhattan Beach and a registered voter.
Staff will conclude public outreach at the scheduled application deadline of January 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The appointment to this seat is tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 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.