PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 02/02/26
SUBJECT:
TITLE
SAN PABLO PLANNING COMMISSION
A) INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS:
(1) CONDUCT INTERVIEWS, AND
(2) APPOINT COMMISSIONERS TO FILL THREE VACANCIES BY RESOLUTION FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM (FEBRUARY 2026 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2030) OR PROVIDE OTHER DIRECTION TO STAFF
B) ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation
1. Consider any public comments;
2. Conduct interviews of Planning Commission applicants individually;
3. Deliberate;
(a) Make a motion to appoint three candidates for a February 2026 - February 2030 term by Resolution; or
(b) Provide alternative direction to staff (e.g. continue advertising for opening);
4. Administer Oath of Office to appointed Planning Commissioners.
Body
COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
This action is consistent with the Strategic Initiative areas of Enhance Community Resilience: Civic Engagement in the FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025, by Resolution Number 2025-044.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
BACKGROUND
The City’s Planning Commission currently has three vacancies due to the expiration of the terms of current Planning Commissioners Johana Gurdian, Jerome Jackson (term expires January 31, 2026) and Paul Morris (term expires February 28, 2026). On December 16, 2025, in compliance with California Government Code §54972, a Local Appointments list was posted, showing upcoming vacancies for the remainder of 2025 and 2026. The deadline to receive applications was 6:00 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Three (3) applications were timely received by the City Clerk’s Office from Johana Gurdian, Jerome Jackson, and Paul Morris by the required deadline of Monday, January 26, 2026.
Applicant Eligibility for Appointment
As confirmed by the City Clerk’s Office, all applicants meet the residency requirement, are registered voters, and were available for the interviews.
Interview and Appointive Process
The City Manager is developing a list of potential questions for interviewing Planning Commissioner candidates. Staff intends to provide these questions to the City Council prior to the City Council meeting (at which time they will become public record) to ensure fairness and impartiality. Therefore, these interview questions are not contained in the agenda packet, as initially posted.
Following the interview process, the City Council will deliberate and may select up to three candidates for a concurrent February 2026 - February 2030 term. The official appointments must be approved by formal motion and majority vote via Resolution. The new Planning Commissioners would then be sworn in. Alternatively, the City Council can provide direction to staff to pursue other recruitment options for one or more of the vacancies (e.g. posting the attached notice of vacancy).
Once appointed by the City Council, any newly appointed commissioner will be required to attend a mandatory orientation prior to participating in the upcoming Planning Commission regular meeting as scheduled, as well as submit a Form 700 pursuant to the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and Fair Political Practices Commission regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
AttacHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution
Att B - PC Members List Roster
Att C - Maddy Act Local Appointments List Posting
Att D - PC Application Gurdian, Johana
Att E - PC Application Jackson, Jerome
Att F - PC Application Morris, Paul
Att G - Vacancy NOT Planning Commission for 2025-02-03