HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/12/16 - Minutes - Special December 16, 1997
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Special Meeting
A. CALL TO ORDER
A special meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council was held on Tuesday, December 16, 1997, in the Tri
Communities Room of the Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The
meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Mayor William J. Alexander.
Present were Councilmembers: Paul Biane, James Curatalo, Rex Gutierrez, Diane Williams, and Mayor William J.
Alexander.
Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Rick Gomez, Community Development Director; Brad Buller, City
Planner; Diane O'Neal, Assistant to the City Manager; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk.
B. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S PLANNING/HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE'S PROCESS FOR INTERVIEWING PLANNING/HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
APPLICANTS
Councilmember Biane stated he and Councilmember Gutierrez felt it was previously the pleasure of the entire Council
to interview all applicants. He stated at a recent subcommittee meeting, James Markman walked by and gave a legal
interpretation of how the process should go. He stated the Government Code states that the Mayor should approve the
applicants to be interviewed by the Council. He stated he and Councilmember Gutierrez have tried to do what would
be acceptable to everyone and that is what is in the memo before the Council. He added he felt whoever is selected to
the Planning Commission should have at least three votes of the City Council.
Mayor Alexander stated he has a problem nominating all 29 applicants before they are heard from. He did feel there
were some that were more qualified than others. He felt the review of the 29 applicants should move forward and then
through a consenting manner come back with the best qualified.
Councilmember Curatalo felt the law was trying to give the Mayor veto power. He stated he was not going to usurp
the Mayor's power because this is such an important position.
Councilmember Gutierrez stated he trusts the Mayor will be fair about this. He pointed out that Rivera, McCullough
and Ferguson have withdrawn their applications. He hoped that this is an open process so that people do not think this
is a "done deal".
Councilmember Williams stated she felt maybe they had withdrawn because they weren't ready to serve on the Planning
Commission because there was not a letter from any of them stating they felt it was a "done deal".
Councilmember Gutierrez felt the City should be open to everyone to participate.
Jack Lam, City Manager, stated if there is an abstention in the voting process, it would count as an affirmative vote.
City Council Minutes
December 16, 1997
Page 2
Diane O'Neal, Assistant to the City Manager, stated Mr. Richard Schick could not be here but would like to be
considered for this position.
The Council concurred to move forward with the interviews as suggested by the Subcommittee with the exception
of the Mayor nominating all 29 applicants.
2. PLANNING/HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
The following individuals were interviewed:
Osvaldo Cosme
Ted Gibson (no show)
Bernard McClay
Vincent Elefante
Michael Mitchell
Joe Picon
Richard Malone
Jeff Sceranka
Pam Stewart
Eric Vail
Steve Wysocki
Edward Swistock
Mark Hodnick
Cathy McKinney
Paul Short
Bob Emeott
Craig Bruorton
Tim Clifford
Ruchi Gupta
Ed Combs (no show)
Hugh Lansdell
David Masters (no show)
The following questions were asked of each applicant:
1. Briefly describe the qualifications you have for this position (education, experience, etc.)
Briefly explain why you feel that you would be an asset to the Planning/Historic Preservation
Commission.
Briefly explain what your philosophy is about planning in general and Rancho Cucamonga's General
Plan.
4. What is the biggest issue facing the City today?
City Council Minutes
December 16, 1997
Page 3
3. SELECTION OF PLANNING/HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEMBERS
Councilmember Gutierrez stated there was one incumbent he would like to reappoint, but felt there were those that
haven't yet got to volunteer and should be given a chance. He stated he was interested in having a woman involved and
would also like to see minorities involved. He was interested in seeing "new blood" on the Commission. He stated he
would like to see what is already established continue to be protected.
Mayor Alexander stated he felt new blood was good and that there were a number of people that he felt were very
qualified. He stated a lot of the applicants were happy with how the current planning is being handled. He felt the three
incumbents are very qualified and did not want to change anything at the present time.
Councilmember Biane stated he has a total of nine that he feels are very qualified.
The Council proceeded to vote which is indicated on a chart which has been made part of the permanent record.
MOTION: Moved by Biane, seconded by Gutierrez to reappoint the three incumbents. Motion carried unanimously
5-0.
C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
No communication was made from the public.
D. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Moved by Williams, seconded by Biane to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting
adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
R~ectfully submitted,
City Clerk
Approved: January 7, 1998