DATE: May 6, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: City Clerk's Office
TITLE: APPOINTMENT FOR PLANNING COMMISSIONER
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff Recommends that the City Council waive Council Policy 100-09 and appoint a Planning Commissioner to fill a term ending on April 15, 2030, or alternatively, provide direction to the City Clerk as to an alternate appointment process.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
There were three scheduled vacancies on the Planning Commission as of April 15, 2026. These vacancies were due to term expirations for three Commissioners.
At the April 1, 2026 Workshop, the City Council conducted interviews and then voted to appoint three individuals to the Planning Commission for terms ending April 15, 2030. Subsequent to those appointments, Evelyn Mateo was determined to be ineligible based on residency and withdrew her application prior to April 15, 2026.
Pursuant to Oceanside City Code Section 2.38, each member of the planning commission shall hold office until the expiration of their respective term and until a new member has been duly appointed. Because Ms. Mateo did not assume office before withdrawing, and because the prior Planning Commissioner’s term had not yet expired, no unscheduled vacancy was created. Rather, the one of the three previously advertised scheduled vacancies has not yet been filled.
Given the time and resources required to conduct an additional interview workshop, and considering the very recent completion of that process, Staff recommends that the City Council waive Council Policy 100-09. This would allow the Council to immediately select a candidate from the 12 remaining applicants included in the prior workshop materials.
Alternatively, Planning Commissioner Kevin Dodds has indicated his interest in continuing to serve. The City Council may, at its discretion, consider reappointing Mr. Dodds to a term ending April 15, 2030. His application has been attached to this report.
The City Council may also provide direction to the City Clerk on an alternative appointment process.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Oceanside City Code Section 2.38 Planning Commissioners shall be appointed by a majority vote of the City Council.
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Prepared by: Zeb Navarro, City Clerk
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 4-1-2026 PC Applicants
2. Kevin Dodds PC Application