Personnel and Public Employees Committee Meeting - May 24, 2022

The Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE) met on May 24, 2022, to consider appointments to several city boards and commissions and to review a proposed ordinance updating procedures for boards, commissions, and vacancies. The committee approved reappointments, forwarded a substitute appointment, and voted to send the ordinance to the full City Council for adoption.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved the minutes from the March 15, 2022, meeting. (Motion by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Valenzuela; unanimous vote: Valenzuela yes, Loloee aye, Harris aye, Chair Ashby yes.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5 – Ordinance on Boards and Commissions: Multiple speakers expressed opposition to the provision prohibiting boards and commissions from establishing standing or ad hoc committees.
  • Keon Bliss (District 4 Commissioner, Sacramento Community Police Review Commission) argued that ad hoc committees are essential for timely work, noting the commission had only one recommendation go to council in five years and that the clerk’s office lacked capacity to schedule additional meetings.
  • Phil Pluckybaum (District 3 Commissioner, Planning and Design Commission) highlighted that a significant streamlining ordinance was crafted through an ad hoc process and urged the committee to preserve the ability to form ad hocs.
  • John Marshak (District 4, former Preservation Commission member) stated that ad hoc committees provide expertise and help augment short-staffed city departments, citing the development of historic district standards.
  • Graciela Castillo Krings (Chair, Sacramento Community Police Review Commission) urged clarification that working groups are not prohibited and requested that a timeline for council action on commission recommendations be established (e.g., agenda within 90 days).
  • Barry Boyd (Planning and Design Commission member) opposed removing ad hoc committees, noting that working groups (limited to chair and vice chair) would not have the same authority as ad hocs; he also asked what would happen to existing ad hocs.
• Public Comments – Matters Not on Agenda:
  • Barry Boyd expressed disappointment that the ad hoc committee provision was not removed and that he was not reappointed to the Housing and Redevelopment Commission.
  • Keon Bliss seconded Boyd’s comments, stating the prohibition on ad hocs disempowers commissions and is a “cynical attempt to stymie” work, especially regarding police oversight; he noted that committee members often invite community participation in ad hocs.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Natomas Basin Conservancy Board of Directors: Interviewed two incumbent applicants: Steve Cohn (former councilmember) and Chandra Sekhar Chilmakuri (civil engineer). A third applicant, Dale Steele, was not present. The committee discussed the board’s important role in habitat conservation for 22 endangered species. Councilmember Valenzuela acknowledged Dale Steele’s community involvement and hoped he would apply for future openings. Motion to reappoint Cohn and Chilmakuri (moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Valenzuela) passed unanimously.
• Item 3 – Utilities Rate Advisory Commission: Interviewed incumbents Megan Fidell (recently elected chair) and Melissa Lee (professional engineer). Both sought third terms. Fidell described getting involved earlier in rate structure discussions. The committee praised their expertise. Motion to reappoint both passed unanimously.
• Item 4 – Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission: The committee considered three seats (A, C, D). Staff recommended reappointing Barry Boyd and Samuel Starks, and appointing Andres Ramos. Councilmember Harris offered a substitute motion to appoint Samuel Starks and Stephanie Duncan instead of Boyd, citing Boyd’s service on the Planning and Design Commission and the desire to give others a chance. After discussion, Chair Ashby supported the substitute, noting Boyd’s willingness to serve elsewhere. The substitute motion passed (Valenzuela no, Loloee aye, Harris aye, Chair Ashby aye). Boyd was not reappointed.
• Item 5 – Ordinance Adding Chapter 1.14 (Vacancies) and Amending Chapter 2.40 (Boards and Commissions): City Clerk Mindy Cuppy presented the ordinance, which updates procedures for appointing members, formalizes holdover terms, standardizes term limits (except for Youth Commission), prohibits standing and ad hoc committees (mirroring the 2017 Sunshine Ordinance), limits chair/vice chair service, clarifies staff roles, and requires a report every five years. Chair Ashby clarified that chair and vice chair working groups and Brown Act “bubbles” are still permitted. Councilmember Valenzuela expressed concern about removing ad hocs without providing resources for more frequent public meetings. Chair Ashby noted the annual review process could adjust meeting schedules. The committee voted to forward the ordinance to the City Council for adoption (motion by Chair Ashby, seconded by Councilmember Harris; passed 4-0).

Key Outcomes

• Natomas Basin Conservancy Board: Reappointed Steve Cohn and Chandra Sekhar Chilmakuri (unanimous).
• Utilities Rate Advisory Commission: Reappointed Megan Fidell and Melissa Lee (unanimous).
• Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission: Appointed Samuel Starks and Stephanie Duncan (substitute motion, 3-1; Valenzuela dissented).
• Ordinance on Vacancies and Boards/Commissions: Forwarded to City Council for adoption (unanimous). The committee will also develop a policy manual, orientation, and annual reporting process.
• Next Steps: The ordinance will be debated by the full City Council; the clerk’s office will continue developing resources for commissioners.