Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-231 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE ON, AND THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR, THE SOUTH BAY WILDLIFE ADVISORY GROUP FOR CITY OF CHULA VISTA REPRESENTATIVES
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City currently has three out of four vacancies on the South Bay Wildlife Advisory Group (WAG). It is staff’s recommendation to reaffirm the appointment criteria originally adopted in 2010 and to establish the appointment process for appointments to the WAG in order to open the application period and begin to fill these vacancies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
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Environmental Determination
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA and no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City of Chula Vista (City) entered into a Settlement Agreement (agreement) with the Bayfront Coalition (composed of the Environmental Health Coalition, San Diego Audubon Society, San Diego Coastkeeper, Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, Southwest Wetlands Interpretative Association, Surfrider Foundation - San Diego Chapter, and Empower San Diego) and the San Diego Unified Port District (Port District) on May 4, 2010 related to development of the Chula Vista Bayfront. The agreement required creation of the South Bay Wildlife Advisory Group (WAG) to advise the City and Port District on the development of the Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) to ensure protection of wildlife and natural resources.
The agreement designated four positions on the WAG to represent the City: One representative from the City’s Resource Conservation Commission and three residents selected by the City from Western and Eastern Chula Vista (one from Northwest, one from Southwest, and one from east of the I-805).
On November 1, 2010, the City Council adopted the following appointment criteria:
AREA REPRESENTATION
1. The Resource Conservation Commission Representative shall be nominated by the Resource Conservation Commission with the appointment ratified by the City Council;
2. The Northwest Chula Vista Representative shall be a resident of the area north of L Street and west of La Media/Otay Lakes Road appointed by the City Council;
3. The Southwest Chula Vista Representative shall be a resident of the area south of L Street and west of La Media Road/Otay Lakes Road appointed by the City Council;
4. The East of I-805 Representative shall be a resident of the area east of La Media/Otay Lakes Road appointed by Council.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must submit résumés demonstrating involvement in one or more of the following areas:
1. Wildlife-related issues such as habitat restoration or wildlife management.
2. Ecology, biology, chemistry, water quality or watershed protection.
3. Ecosystem management and restoration.
4. Nature-based or environmental education and similar fields.
5. Wildlife rehabilitation and/or predator management.
APPOINTMENT PROCESS
There were no procedures developed at that time to fill future vacancies. It is recommended that the City Manager or his or her designee provide the City Clerk notice and, if available, a letter of resignation from the resigning member whenever a vacancy occurs.
Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.25.050 provides a nomination/appointment process for certain City Boards and Commissions that is also appropriate and recommended for appointments made by the City Council to the WAG, as follows:
1. The City Clerk shall maintain applications for prospective membership on the WAG. The application shall provide a place for an individual to state the reasons he or she seeks appointment to the WAG and his or her qualifications for service on the WAG.
2. When a vacancy occurs on the WAG, the City Manager or his or her designee shall inform the City Clerk of the vacancy, and the City Clerk shall post the vacancy on the City’s website for a minimum of 10 working days. Immediately following the 10-day period, the City Clerk shall forward applications and résumés received for the vacant position(s) to the Mayor, who shall review the forwarded applications, select applicants to be interviewed, interview selected applicants, and make nomination(s) for appointment, subject to the City Council’s approval.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has determined that the action contemplated by this item is ministerial, secretarial, manual, or clerical in nature and, as such, does not require the City Councilmembers to make or participate in making a governmental decision, pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18704(d)(1). Consequently, this item does not present a conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Appointment of community members to represent the City’s interests supports a Connected Community as it allows community members with specific interest and experience to be involved in important decisions that affect the City and its residents.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not have a fiscal impact on the City.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not have a fiscal impact on the City.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Staff Contact: Kerry Bigelow