TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Liza Tamura, City Clerk
Patricia Matson, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Resignation from Library Commissioner Newell, Declare Vacant Library Commission Seat No. 3 (Newell), and Direct the City Clerk to Return with a List of Interested Applicants (City Clerk Tamura).
A) ACCEPT RESIGNATION
B) DECLARE VACANCY
C) DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO RETURN WITH A LIST OF INTERESTED APPLICANTS
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council: a) accept the resignation from Library Commissioner, Sadie Newell; b) declare vacant Library Commission Seat No. 3 (Newell); and c) direct the City Clerk to return with a list of interested applicants that participated in the 2023 annual Boards and Commissions interview and appointment process.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
On June 27, 2023, the City Clerk’s office received Commissioner Newell’s letter of resignation; effectively leaving Library Commission, Seat No. 3, vacant at the end of July.
DISCUSSION:
The term for Library Commission Seat No. 3 is due to expire on May 31, 2025. 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 City Clerk’s office historically declares vacancies and conducts public outreach for interested candidates to immediately fill unscheduled vacancies. Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) Section 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.”
As part of the 2023 annual Boards and Commissions interview and appointment process, staff advertised for several Board and Commission vacancies in the Beach Reporter from January to April. Additional outreach included: posting on City bulletin boards, posting on the City’s website, social media posts, e-notifications, and information in the “City MB News” monthly e-newsletter. Given the significant advertising efforts that were made from January 2023-April 2023, staff is recommending that the City Council appoint from the list of candidates that participated in the 2023 annual interview and appointment process.
On April 25, 2023, 6 individuals were interviewed for one available Library Commission adult seat. One individual was appointed, Dina Doll, leaving 5 individuals for the City Clerk to contact and determine if interest still exists. Below are the remaining applicants that indicated an interest in the seat:
• Shannon Boyle
• Allen Kirschenbaum (reappointed to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission)
• Mike Millea
• Elizabeth Rubino
• Robin Urban
If the City Council chooses to appoint from a list of interested applicants, staff will return on July 18, 2023, with the necessary information.
Should the City Council prefer an alternative to the staff recommendation, staff has prepared an alternative for consideration in the next section below.
ALTERNATIVE:
Upon City Council’s approval to declare this seat vacant, the City Council can direct the City Clerk to conduct public outreach and advertise the vacant seat. Staff will then accept applications, schedule interviews, and agendize the appointment to this seat at a future City Council meeting.
PROS:
-Provides an additional opportunity for the community to apply for the open seat.
CONS:
-Staff resources will be dedicated to advertising the vacancy, gathering applications, and scheduling the interviews.
-Conducting the interview process may be duplicative for the City Council as there could be interested applicants from the most recent list established through the interview and appointment process on April 25, 2023.
-Funds will need to be utilized to advertise for the one vacancy.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the resignation of Library Commissioner Sadie Newell, declare vacant Library Commission Seat No. 3, and direct the City Clerk to return to the July 18, 2023, City Council meeting with a list of interested applicants from the 2023 annual boards and commissions interview and appointment process.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
If the City Council directs staff to conduct public outreach, a notice will be published via the Beach Reporter, on City Hall bulletin boards, on the City’s website, the City’s social media channels, and e-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 Newell