HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-17; City Council; ; District 1 City Council Vacancy Interview Questions and Appointment ProcedureCA Review CKM
Meeting Date: Aug. 17, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Sheila Cobian, Director of Legislative & Constituent Services
sheila.cobian@carlsbadca.gov, 760-434-2917
Faviola Medina, City Clerk Services Manager
faviola.medina@carlsbadca.gov, 760-434-5989
Subject: District 1 City Council Vacancy Interview Questions and Appointment
Procedure
District: 1
Recommended Action
By motion:
1. Select interview questions to be asked of District 1 City Council applicants at the
Aug. 24, 2021, City Council meeting
2. Approve the interview and appointment process
Executive Summary
The City Council decided to appoint a successor after the resignation of the District 1 City
Council member whose term expires with the November 2022 election. The application
period closed Aug. 11, with 13 candidates applying. The City Council may now finalize the
process for interviewing candidates and select the successor to serve the remainder of the
term.
Discussion
At the City Council meeting held July 20, 2021, the City Council declared a City Council District
1 vacancy. At that meeting, the City Council gave direction to fill the vacancy by appointing a
successor to serve the remainder of the term of the former City Council member.
At the City Council meeting held July 27, 2021, staff provided options for the appointment
process based on the direction provided at the July 20 City Council meeting. While refining
the interview and appointment process, the City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to
solicit topics from District 1 residents and then formulate potential questions to be asked of
the District 1 City Council applicants. The oral responses will supplement the written
responses in the applications. Staff accepted topics from July 28 through Aug. 10 at 5 p.m.
(Exhibit 2).
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 1 of 7
Proposed questions
The following questions were formulated by staff based on the topics received:
• What policies do you feel would be most effective in balancing the need for growth
with maintaining the community’s character?
• What do you think the City of Carlsbad’s role should be in addressing the problem of
homelessness?
• What policies would you recommend to ensure Carlsbad’s coastline can be enjoyed by
residents for generations to come?
• District 1 residents submitted many topics they would like to see addressed. How
would you decide where to focus given your limited time in office?
In addition to those questions formulated by staff, at the July 27 meeting, the City Council
approved the following hypothetical question to also be asked of each applicant at the
Aug. 24 meeting:
A local resident business owner in your district has submitted an application
seeking approval for a gas station with a convenience store as part of a new
development that includes both commercial and residential uses. The gas
station is an allowable use subject to a conditional use permit. Several
residents in your district have raised concerns about the gas station’s traffic,
health and safety, land use, and aesthetic impacts. Analyses have concluded
the gas station would not create negative impacts in these areas of concern.
How would you go about making a decision on the local resident business
owner’s application?
Applicant interview and appointment procedure
At the July 27 meeting, the City Council approved the following interview and appointment
procedures for Aug. 24:
• All applicants will be given an opportunity to address the City Council for five minutes,
including answering a set of standard questions that will be provided in advance.
• Applicants will be called to make a presentation in the order their applications were
received.
• The public may make comments at the meeting once all applicants have had an
opportunity to speak.
• After the conclusion of public comments, the City Clerk will provide five blank cards to
each of the City Council members.
• City Council members will write the names of their top five candidates in priority order
on the cards.
• The City Clerk will collect all of the cards and post them on a board next to the
nominating City Council member’s name.
• The candidates with the most nominations will be considered by a vote of the City
Council. This process will continue until consensus is reached.
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 2 of 7
With the Aug. 24 meeting now scheduled to be virtual rather than in-person because of rising
public health concerns and new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, staff
propose the following revised interview and appointment procedures:
1. The City Clerk will provide an overview of the interview procedure.
2. Members of the public may provide comments to the City Council, using the standard
City Council comment process.
3. Applicants will be called to speak via Zoom video in the order their applications were
received.
4. Applicants will be given two minutes to make opening remarks regarding their
qualifications and interest in serving.
5. The City Clerk will ask the questions the City Council approved.
6. Applicants will be given two minutes to respond to each question.
7. After the conclusion of all interviews, the City Clerk will request that the City Council
members email the City Clerk the applicants’ names in rank order one through 13 with
number one being the best. (Each value may only be used once. See Exhibit 1 for
sample email.)
8. The rank will be assigned a corresponding numerical value. (A ranking of 1 is equal to a
value of 1, a ranking of 2 is equal to a value of 2, etc.)
9. Once City Council members have submitted their ranked lists, a recess will be called
and the City Clerk will calculate the top five by combining rankings from all four City
Council members.
10. The City Clerk will display individual ranked lists and the combined top five.
11. The City Council may move forward with voting on the top applicant at this time or
continue to narrow the number of applicants by an additional round of ranking emails
sent to the City Clerk.
12. The applicant whose ranking has the lowest numerical value will then be considered
by a vote of the City Council.
13. This process will continue until consensus, three affirmative votes, is reached.
Recommended procedures
To ensure a fair and transparent interview and selection process, staff recommend the
following procedures be followed:
• The City Clerk will display a timer during each applicant’s interview.
• The City Clerk will stop each candidate’s opening presentation at the two-minute mark
and will reset the timer for two minutes after each question is asked of the applicants.
• To further ensure equal time, City Council members will not ask follow-up questions or
make comments during candidate interviews.
• Candidates will be invited to practice using the Zoom platform so that they can
familiarize themselves with the technology and make sure their internet connections
are sufficient to avoid interruptions in the live stream. Candidates may request and be
allowed to use a city-provided computer and a city-provided internet connection for
the interview.
• If technical problems arise during candidate interviews, the City Clerk will stop the
interview and the timer until the problems are resolved.
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 3 of 7
Options
To finalize the appointment process discussion, staff request direction on the following
options:
Interview questions
Would the City Council like to approve the interview questions proposed by staff or
direct staff to make changes to the interview questions?
Would the City Council like the City Clerk to ask the questions or would the City
Council prefer to each ask one of the questions? If the latter, how would the City
Council like to assign questions to each City Council member?
Process
Would the City Council like to proceed with the ranking and voting process proposed
by staff or direct staff to make changes to the process?
All direction should be given by council motion.
Fiscal Analysis
This action has no fiscal impact.
Next Steps
Staff will implement City Council direction and issue a news release outlining the City
Council’s approved appointment procedure to be followed at the Aug. 24 City Council
meeting.
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a “project”
within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public
Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical
change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment.
Public Notification and Outreach
This item was noticed in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public
viewing and review at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1. Sample email ranking applicants
2. Matrix of topics for questions collected July 28 - Aug. 10, 2021
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 4 of 7
1
Council Member
To:City Clerk
Subject:Council Member ________ Applicant Ranking
1.Applicant D
2.Applicant A
3.Applicant J
4.Applicant M
5.Applicant H
6.Applicant K
7.Applicant I
8.Applicant F
9.Applicant L
10.Applicant G
11.Applicant C
12.Applicant E
13.Applicant B
Exhibit 1
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 5 of 7
Topic Question/Statement Provided by Resident
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness
Homelessness I would like to hear your attitude toward the homeless and what you would like to see happen
Homelessness Solutions to the homeless issue
Homelessness
Homelessness
The City had four district meetings on homelessness. Overwhelmingly, the community realizes there is a homeless
problem; however, are not in favor of the voucher program. What good is it to have community input if our voices
are not heard? Why are we allowing the Village to be overrun with homeless?
Homelessness
Are you willing to enact new city ordinances that would prevent homeless encampments and promote quality of life
and a safety first agenda for the City of Carlsbad managing the individuals who are drug addicted & experiencing
mental health problems on our city streets, parks, etc.?
Homelessness Prevent homeless people from camping out overnight in parks and our beautiful beach boardwalk
Homelessness
Will you pursue actions that will allow CPD to take enforcement actions against homes who repeatedly refuse
homes services but continue to violate state law and city ordinances? Will you pursue the establishment of
appropriate "shelter" for the homeless (consistent with Martin v. Boise) to include tent shelters with centralized
services, which if refused, will allow CPD to enforce camping and trespass violations? Will you ensure that a
complete and transparent cost benefit analysis of our city expenditures related to homelessness (to include all city
departments) will be maintained to ensure that taxpayer funds are being used effectively and efficiently?
Homelessness
Consider building a homeless shelter or buying a hotel or converting an under used commercial space into housing
for the homeless population.
Homelessness
Please address a more effective way homelessness and the impact that it is having on public spaces like parks,
sidewalks, parking lots with regards to public quality of life, nuisance, and safety.
Homelessness
The needs of the homeless must be balanced with the rights of residents who don’t want to see the degradation of
the community by drug users, public defecation, and criminal activity. In your opinion, have things improved or
worsened and what would be your next steps to support the community?Unauthorized RV parking along
Avenida Encinas
DEVELOPMENT
State mandated high density
Density of construction
Where do you stand on the density of construction issue and the latest trend of developers to completely fill lot
footprints.
Preserving small-town
characteristics of the Village & Describe your level of commitment to preserving remaining small-town characteristics of the Village and Barrio
Architectural charm of village How would you keep the charm of the village with the three and four-story buildings that are going in?
Preserving character of village
against development efforts
As a representative of District 1 which includes our village and barrio areas, how will you retain the character of
Carlsbad against massive development efforts? Will you push back against any developers who do not stick to their
plans and designs?
Shoppes at Carlsbad What vision do you have for the Shoppes at Carlsbad mall area that respects the residents of District 1?
Economic Development Encourage new and diverse small business in the village
Development & Housing
Consider low rise development vs high rise towers/Using underutilized commercial space for affordable
housing/Creating pre-approved build-able ADU plans, similar to what Encinitas has done./Quickly establishing and
approving building standards and not dragging this process on for months and years.
Development in District 1
A building is approved in district 1 by both the planning commission & council. During construction, changes are
clearly made so it is not what was approved. What is your course of action?
TRANSPORTATION & PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY
Traffic monitoring on PCH in 30
Safe Sidewalks & Pedestrian
Pedestrian traffic improvements
in the Village & Barrio More red curbs/New and improved crosswalks/adding more stop signs
Transportation What is your position on SANDAG's initiative of 5 BIG moves & the tax implications to residents?
E-Bikes
Increasingly, groups of teens on E-bikes have been harassing residents in the village area and elsewhere. What will
you do to eliminate this problem?
Exhibit 2
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 6 of 7
Topic Question/Statement Provided by Resident
BEACHES
Preserving resource of beach and
ocean
Please discuss your understanding, knowledge, commitment, and/or any plan to steward our part of the priceless
resource of California beach and ocean
Dogs on beaches
Dogs are not to go on certain beaches and yet owners ignore this (to the detriment of certain native bird species),
please address this issue.
Beaches Preserve access to our beaches
Dogs on beaches
Problem of dogs on beaches is made worse by the City not enforcing the dog on beach laws. The state enforces the
no dogs on the beach laws on their 6 or 7 miles of beach. This floods the 1 mile of Carlsbad beach with many dogs.
I've counted as many as 40 dogs in one day. Isn't the City going to be responsible for a child being injured by an off
leash dog?
COVID RESPONSE
COVID Response
Do you support science-based facts as provided by the CDC, state and county as it pertains to the current pandemic
and will adhere to guidelines like social distancing or mask mandates that will help us prevent the spread of the
Delta Variant of the Coronavirus? Will you work to protect our younger children who cannot be vaccinated?
COVID Response Will businesses remain open and will mask rules continue to be enforced in any inside venue?
COVID Response
1) Will you support mandatory masking in all indoor public places, including restaurants, markets, shops? How will
you enforce it? Will you prioritize the health of the community over business interests, which at times have run at
cross purposes? What will you do to increase Carlsbad’s Covid vaccination rate? Have you been fully vaccinated?
Will you require all city workers to be?
RAILROAD CROSSINGS
Railroad Trenching A timely and successful railroad trenching project
Railroad Quiet Zone Will you be creating a Quiet Zone in Carlsbad Village, like Oceanside's Quiet Zone?
Railroad Crossings Consider a tunnel or an at grade crossing or an over the tracks pedestrian bridge.
CLIMATE CHANGE & RECYCLING
Climate change preparedness
Recycling Do you have innovative thoughts on increasing recycling?
MISCELLANEOUS POLITICAL
District Representation
Given the major split in district one's "world view", how do you plan to be a spokesperson or representative of this
diverse community even when you may NOT agree with some of your constituents? Will you be for ALL of district
one, or just your group and if for all of us how do you plan on accomplishing that with the given tensions in the
community?
Conflict of Interests
How will you square your role as a representative of District 1 with your role in meeting the interests and needs of
Carlsbad as a whole?
Political pressure
As a short term member of council, how will you deal with intimidation by other council members, if as our
representative, you disagree with their opinions.
Conflicts of Interests
If you are a member of the Noon Rotary Club, what assurance do we have that you will not join a voting block with
other rotary members on the City Council to the detriment of District 1?
Municipal Code Amendments
Would you be willing to suggest to Council that the one year wait rule be abolished and if it is abolished, would you
be able & willing to continue as a Council Member?
Municipal Code Amendments
Consistent with the application for appointment to this seat, do you believe that you are conflicted and thus unable
to vote on any amendments to the municipal code section that bars the appointee to this seat from running for the
seat in the 2022 election?
Recall Efforts
Do you support the recall of Gov. Newsom, and if so, please articulate why. Did you support the recall of Cori
Schumacher, and again why.
Aug. 17, 2021 Item #7 Page 7 of 7
Tammy Cloud-McMinn
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Council Internet Email
Monday, August 16, 2021 4:36 PM
City Clerk
FW: appoint Gary Nessim to City Council District 1
From: Kevin Bender <kevinallanbender@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 3:52 PM
To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov>
Subject: appoint Gary Nessim to City Council District 1
Council members,
I heartily encourage the Council to appoint Gary Nessim to the vacancy in District 1.
All Receive -Agenda Item# 1
For the Information of the:
_ pry_ ~OUNCIL
Date8JJ..2/21 CA_ cc_
CM_ACM_DCM (3)_
He has the experience, judgment, expertise and people skills that Carlsbad needs in this vital leadership role.
As a long-time resident of District 1, voter, former Carlsbad City employee and Historic Preservation Commission
member, I have a great love of Carlsbad and am fiercely devoted to seeing only the best leaders represent my district
and our city.
Gary Nessim would make a fantastic City Council member.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kevin Bender
Carlsbad, CA
(760} 710-1422
kevinallanbender@gmail.com
CAUTION: Do not o en attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i
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1
District 1 City Council Vacancy
Interview Questions &
Appointment Procedure
Sheila Cobian, Director of Legislative & Constituent Services
Faviola Medina, City Clerk Services Manager
Aug. 17, 2021
{city of
Carlsbad
Recommended Action
1.Select interview questions to be asked of District 1
City Council applicants at the Aug. 24 City Council
Meeting
2.Approve the interview and appointment procedure
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
{city of
Carlsbad
July 27 City Council Direction
Solicit topics from District 1 residents for applicant questions:
•What policies do you feel would be most effective in balancing the
need for growth with maintaining the community’s character?
•What do you think the City of Carlsbad’s role should be in addressing
the problem of homelessness?
•What policies would you recommend to ensure Carlsbad’s coastline
can be enjoyed by residents for generations to come?
•District 1 residents submitted many topics they would like to see
addressed. How would you decide where to focus given your limited
time in office.
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
{city of
Carlsbad
Proposed Interview Procedure
1.City Clerk will provide overview of process at beginning of the meeting
2.Members of the public will have opportunity to comment
3.Applicants will be given two minutes to make opening remarks
4.City Clerk will ask the questions approved by City Council providing two
minutes for response to each question
5.After conclusion of interviews, City Council will email the City Clerk the
applicants’ names in rank order, one through 13 with number one being
the best
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
{city of
Carlsbad
Proposed Interview Procedure (continued)
6.Staff will display the City Council Members’ ranked email lists on the
screen
7.A recess will be called so staff may calculate top five applicants to display
on the screen
8.City Council may move forward with voting on top applicant or continue
to narrow the number of applicants via additional round of rank voting
9.Applicant whose ranking has lowest numerical value will then be
considered by a vote of the City Council
10.Process to continue until consensus is reached
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
{city of
Carlsbad
Recommended Procedures
•The City Clerk will display a timer during each interview
•City Council will not ask follow-up questions or make comments during
applicant interviews
•Staff will invite all applicants to practice using Zoom platform in advance
of Aug. 24 meeting
•If technical problems arise, the City Clerk will stop the interview and
timer until problems are resolved
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
{city of
Carlsbad
Options for City Council Consideration
Interview Questions
Approve interview questions proposed by staff or direct staff
to make changes?
City Clerk to ask questions or City Council?
Process
Does City Council wish to proceed with ranking & voting process
proposed by staff or direct staff to make changes?
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
{city of
Carlsbad
Recommended Action
1.Select interview questions to be asked of District 1
City Council applicants at the Aug. 24 City Council
Meeting
2.Approve the interview and appointment procedure
ITEM #7: DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
I C
{city of
Carlsbad