CCMIN 02162021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Narum expressed her gratitude to the 17 residents who were interviewed. She added, as a former Planning Commissioner, she felt there were many qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds. She noted the Planning Commission is one of the last which lacks any diversity and expressed her disappointment with the lost opportunity for diversification. She commented the nominees are all good and qualified people, but they collectively leave the important Commission with no diversity. She expressed her support for revisiting the item and called it a missed opportunity. She expressed her intention to abstain from the vote. Councilmember Arkin commented she found the objections offensive and expressed her belief in picking the right people for the job. She explained Mayor Brown gets to select the candidates and it is their job to ratify the selection. She noted she has been accused of the same thing in the past on the PUSD Board but stood by her choices. She noted a lack of diversity on the City Council and questioned if anyone, including the Chamber of Commerce, supported diverse candidates. She commented it is an unfair statement to say they are purposefully not picking diverse candidates and it is untrue in her case. She encouraged diverse candidates to apply for commissions. She urged Councilmembers Balch and Narum to choose their words carefully and not accuse her of something she deems personally offensive. Councilmember Testa concurred with Councilmember Arkin and noted race did not play a role in the decisions and it would only be racial if they chose someone else. She termed the comments made by Councilmember Balch and Narum, along with Commissioner Ritter, as political malice and expressed her disappointment. Mayor Brown also expressed her disappointment, stating her goal was to pick the best qualified Planning Commissioners. She added diversity will come forward in other committees and commissions. She urged those who may vote against the new Commissioners to ultimately embrace them. MOTION: It was m/s by Testa/Arkin to ratify Mayor Brown's appointments to the Planning Commission as outlined in the agenda report and by staff. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arkin, Testa, Mayor Brown Noes: Councilmember Balch Abstain: Councilmember Narum 20. Continued - Review information regarding the California Cities for Local Control coalition and consider adopting a resolution expressing support for actions to further strengthen local democracy, authority, and control as related to local zoning and housing issues; and assuming the Council's support and approval provide the adopted resolution to the Cities for Local Control coalition for use in their State advocacy efforts MATTERS INITIATED BY COUNCIL - None COUNCIL REPORTS - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Balch adjourned the meeting at 12:23 a.m., with a tribute to men and women serving in the military, honoring the memories of those who have died in defense of our country. Respe tfully ubmitted, Kare Diaz City C erk City Council Minutes Page 16 of 16 February 16, 2021