Agenda Item Wording:
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Consider for appointment two candidates, Janelle Hickey and Zachary Boudreaux, as recommended by Council sub-committee, for Parks and Recreation Commission vacancies.
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Deadline for Action: 8/7/2023
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager 713-4336 and Kelli Kincaid Community Services Director 713-4042
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council appoint the two candidates, Janelle Hickey and Zachary Boudreaux, as recommended by the Council sub-committee, to fill the two vacant positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Background Discussion:
Pursuant to Article VII of the Visalia City Charter, the Council, may provide for appointment of the Parks and Recreation Commission five members to serve without compensation, and to act in an advisory capacity to the Council and City Manager in all matters pertaining to parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers.
In accordance with the City Charter, the Parks and Recreation Commission is comprised of five voting members. Pursuant to Visalia Municipal Code 2.12.010 vacancies from any cause on the Parks and Recreation Commission shall be filled by the Council.
Two Commission seats are currently vacant:
- Veronica Barajas - resigned September 2022
- Steven Woods - term expired June 30, 2022, on June 20, 2022 Council approved to extend term for an additional 6 months, expiring December 2022.
Council directed for a recruitment to be conducted, resulting with eighteen applicants. Council instructed the Parks and Recreation Commission to conduct evaluations of the candidates and to recommend five candidates to Council for appointment.
Recruitment, Evaluation, and Recommendation from Commission:
The Parks and Recreation Commission created a sub-committee of two members; Commission Chair Lisa Walsh and Commissioner Edgardo Monroy, to evaluate applications and conduct interviews. Of the eighteen applicants nine were identified for interviews.
Interviews were held on Tuesday, April 25th and Tuesday, May 16th with five selected to be recommended for review by the Council sub-committee.
The recommended candidates to the Council sub-committee were:
1. Janelle Hickey - resides in Northwest quadrant
2. Susan Cox - resides in Southeast quadrant
3. Steve Sanders - resides in Southwest quadrant
4. Julie Elms - resides in Northeast quadrant
5. Zachary Boudreaux - resides in Northwest quadrant
Evaluation and Recommendation from Council sub-committee:
The Council sub-committee, comprised of Vice-Mayor Brett Taylor and Council member Steve Nelsen, reviewed the applications of the top five candidates and an application worksheet listing all the original eighteen applicants and made the following selection on June 15th:
1. Zachary Boudreaux
2. Janelle Hickey
The Council sub-committee discussed each applicant, reviewed applications, and selected Mr. Boudreaux and Ms. Hickey due to their involvement and activities associated with parks and recreation.
Fiscal Impact:
None
Prior Council Action: 5/15/23 Council reappointed Edgardo Monroy and Samantha Wagner for their second term. 6/20/2022 Council appointed Lisa Walsh for her second term and extended Steve Woods for an additional six months. The Council approved recruitment to be opened. 06/21/2021 Council appointed Commissioners Edgardo Monroy, Samantha Wagner, Veronica Barajas for their first-term.
Other: N/A
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Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the appointment of Zachary Boudreaux and Janelle Hickey for their first-terms to the Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
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Environmental Assessment Status: None
CEQA Review: None
Attachments: Applications from Zachary Boudreaux and Janelle Hickey.