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Home My WebLink About2026-04-14; City Council; 07; Mayoral Appointment of One Member to the Senior CommissionCA Review CKM Meeting Date: April 14, 2026 To: Mayor and City Council From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager Staff Contact: Melissa Rhodes, Deputy City Clerk melissa.rhodes@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2007 Subject: Mayoral Appointment of One Member to the Senior Commission Districts: All Recommended Action Adopt a resolution appointing one member to the Senior Commission. Executive Summary The City Council is being asked to appoint one member to the Senior Commission. The Senior Commission advises and makes recommendations to the City Council on the special needs and concerns of senior citizens, including the creation, operation, maintenance, management and control of senior citizen programs, activities and facilities. The Senior Commission consists of five members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Members must be residents of Carlsbad and normally serve four-year terms, unless appointed to fill an unexpired term. Explanation & Analysis Commissioner Nelson Ross was initially appointed to the Senior Commission in December 2021 to fill the unexpired term of Karen Wilson. Commissioner Ross was reappointed to the Senior Commission in September 2023. On Feb. 4, 2026, the City Clerk’s Office was notified of Commissioner Ross’ passing. Therefore, an unscheduled vacancy exists on the Senior Commission with a term ending in September 2027. The City Clerk’s Office received 12 applications from residents wishing to serve on the Senior Commission. In keeping with City Council Policy No. 88, the Mayor has chosen the following applicant to advance in the process and interview with the full City Council: •Robert Fishman – District 3 Exhibit 2 contains the application of the applicant moving forward in the interview process. The Maddy Act (California Government Code Sections 54970-54974) requires that on or before December 31 of each year the legislative body shall prepare a Local Appointments List, which contains the appointive terms of Board and Commission members that will expire in the next calendar year. The name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment and the term April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 1 of 7 Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C expiration date is also included on the list. Based on the prepared list, the City Clerk’s Office accepts applications (available on the city’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office) for any upcoming vacancies. The current members of the Senior Commission are: Commissioner District Cheryl Dillon 4 Eileen Freedland 2 Kathryn Rangus 3 Cecilia Schouwe 2 Members of the Senior Commission are subject to the provisions of California’s Political Reform Act of 1974 and must file statements of economic interest each year. Every two years, members must complete two hours of ethics training, workplace harassment prevention training and fiscal and financial training. They must also adhere to the City of Carlsbad’s Code of Ethics and Public Service Values for Board and Commission Members. Fiscal Analysis This action has no financial impact. Next Steps Following the appointment of one member to the Senior Commission, the City Clerk’s Office will update the commission’s roster and coordinate the oath of office and the filing of the appointee’s statements of economic interest, ethics training certificate, workplace harassment prevention training, fiscal and financial training and signing of the City of Carlsbad Boards, Commissions and Committees Code of Ethics & Public Service Values. Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) because appointing an individual to act as a city representative on a board, commission or committee is an organizational or administrative government activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The activities or projects undertaken by or that may be considered by a board, commission or committee may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. Exhibits 1.City Council resolution 2.Application received from resident advancing to the interview process April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 2 of 7 Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-074 . A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING ONE MEMBER TO THE SENIOR COMMISSION WHEREAS, Commissioner Nelson Ross was initially appointed to the Senior Commission in December 2021 to fill the unexpired term of Karen Wilson; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Ross was reappointed to the Senior Commission in September 2023; and WHEREAS, the City Clerk’s Office received notification of Commissioner Ross’ passing on February 4, 2026; and WHEREAS, an unscheduled vacancy on the Senior Commission exists with a term ending in September 2027. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1.That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the proposed action is not a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Action, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) because appointing an individual to act as a city representative on a board, commission or committee is an organizational or administrative government activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The activities or projects undertaken by or that may be considered by a board, commission or committee may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. 3.That the following Carlsbad resident is appointed to serve on the Senior Commission, for a term ending in September 2027, or until a replacement is appointed: April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 3 of 7 Robert Fishman Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 14th day of April, 2026, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin. NAYS: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. ______________________________________ KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor ______________________________________ SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk (SEAL) April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 4 of 7 Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C 02/04/2026 Boards, Commissions and Committees Application for Appointment Agricultural Mitigation Fee Committee Arts Commission Beach Preservation Commission Community-Police Engagement Commission Historic Preservation Commission Housing Commission Library Board of Trustees Parks & Recreation Commission Planning Commission Senior Commission X Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Investment Review Board Personal Information Name Robert Fishman Date of Birth: Required for Voter Registration Verification Home Address District No. 3 City ZIP Primary Phone Secondary Phone E-mail Employment Status Retired Occupation Employer Employer Address Work Phone Mobile Acknowledgements Yes No I am a resident of the City of Carlsbad. X I am a registered voter in Carlsbad. X I am willing to file financial disclosure statements. X I am willing to complete two hours of state mandated ethics training every two years. X Are you currently an officer of or employed by the City of Carlsbad? X I am a Citizens Academy graduate. X I am familiar with the responsibilities of the board/commission/committee(s) on which I wish to serve. X I am willing to be interviewed regarding my qualifications for appointment by the City Council or at the request of an individual Council member. X Are you currently or have you ever been under contract with the City of Carlsbad? If yes, please explain below. X Exhibit 2 April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 5 of 7 Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C Interest I am very dedicated to supporting the senior community, particularly programs and activities that will improve seniors’ quality of life. I am personally dedicated to helping the Carlsbad community and, as a young senior who is directly experiencing the issues that matter to seniors, I hope to directly contribute to the community’s support of seniors. I believe that my background, focus, energy and enthusiasm would be of great benefit to the Senior Commission. Please describe your educational background State University of New York at Albany - 1982 B.A. Major: History; Minors: Political Science, Economics Cornell University - 1984 - Masters of Industrial and Labor Relations; concentration in Public Policy and Labor Economics Please describe relevant experience I have prior volunteer experience as a Board of Directors member at Interages, which is now part of the Jewish Council for the Aging JCA Heyman Interages Center in Montgomery County, Maryland. Interages is a program where seniors and youth meet face-to-face to discuss issues, solve problems, receive instruction and build relationships. I believe that programs like this would help the Carlsbad community in general and seniors in particular as connecting across generations helps foster learning and understanding. This experience helped me better understand how groups with disparate backgrounds and experiences (the senior and youth communities) can mutually benefit from enhanced and regular interaction. Throughout my career, I have helped organizations address key challenges in innovative and collaborative ways, including an understanding of programs and policies, matters that are part of the scope of the Senior Commission. Please describe your current or past community involvement I am also dedicated to being involved more generally with the Carlsbad community. Since moving from Maryland to Carlsbad in June 2023, I have become a volunteer at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane (bi- weekly volunteer in Collections since April 2024), joined my community’s HOA Board of Directors, and I am a graduate of the 2024 Carlsbad Citizens Academy and the 2025 Carlsbad Citizens Police Academy. All of these experiences have given greater insight into how Carlsbad works as a community and helped me to understand how I can give back to my community. I also have 20+ years of Federal government services, including senior positions with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Securities and Exchange Commission and Ginnie Mae. In addition, I have 15 years of employment at Freddie Mac, holding senior positions in operations and technology. In all of these roles I have helped organizations address key challenges that they faced in innovative and collaborative ways. April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 6 of 7 Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C Please list all service on boards, commissions or committees, private or public agencies, (including non-profit organizations) I have prior volunteer experience as a Board member at Interages; my responsibilities included being on the audit committee to ensure that the organization was fiscally well-run and as a Board member reviewing, assessing and making informed recommendations on proposed programs and activities. The Interages experience helped me better understand how groups with disparate backgrounds and experiences (the senior and youth communities) can mutually benefit from enhanced and regular interaction. I believe that this understanding can inform how the Senior Commission understands and makes recommendations to address issues it is presented with. Additional information or comments Submittal Information Submit Date: February 4, 2026 12:26 PM April 14, 2026 Item #7 Page 7 of 7 Docusign Envelope ID: B035C1D4-96CE-498C-A03C-75F74EF4AA8C