HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6g - Request for three-month Leave of Absence from Human Relations Commission Item 6g
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1010
For Agenda of: 10/7/2025
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Matt Pennon, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THREE-MONTH LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Commissioner Vincent DeTurris’s request for a three -month leave of absence
from the Human Relations Commission.
POLICY CONTEXT
Per Advisory Bodies Handbook, “Leaves of absence are not granted to advisory body
members except under very unusual circumstances and when authorized in advance by
the Council. To request a Leave of Absence the advisory body member shall submit a
letter directed to the Council through the City Clerk stating the reason for the request
along with the effective date range of the request, with a copy forwarded to the
chairperson of the advisory body. The City Clerk will agendize the request for Council
action at the soonest possible City Council Meeting”.
Additionally, specifically related to absences, the Advisory Body Handbook, states that “if
an advisory body member fails, for any reason, to attend three consecutive regular
meetings or a total of six regular meetings within any twelve -month period, that member
shall automatically be considered for replacement” and that, “there shall be no “excused”
absences. Because of quorum requirements, when an absence is anticipated, the
individual advisory body member is responsible for notifying the staff liaison and the City
Clerk’s office in advance and the absence shall be counted in that member’s attendance
record”.
DISCUSSION
Background
On September 2, 2025, Commissioner DeTurris emailed the City Clerk’s Office
requesting a Leave of Absence for three months, October 1, 2025, through December 31,
2025. (Attachment A) Due to family obligations abroad Commissioner DeTurris will be
unable to attend the monthly Human Relations Commission meetings during this time
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Item 6g
period. Commissioner DeTurris has reaffirmed their commitment to the Human Relations
Commission and to resuming attendance upon their return in January 2026. Because of
Brown Act requirements, Commissioner DeTurris cannot participate remotely as an
alternative to being absent. Since joining the Commission, Commissioner DeTurris has
maintained perfect attendance and has not missed any meetings. During this lea ve
period, quorum will still be maintained, as five other Commissioners will remain available
for scheduled meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: N/A
Funding Identified: N/A
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $ N/A $ $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $ N/A $ $ $0
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council could decide to not approve the request. Should Council pursue this
option it would require Commissioner DeTurris to either continue serving, including
attendance at Commission meetings, or resign from the Commission.
2. Council could decide to modify the request and approve a different length of
time for the leave of absence. Should Council pursue this option it would require
Commissioner DeTurris to continue serving on the Commission and accept the
unexcused absences for meetings missed.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Request for Leave of Absence - DeTurris
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From:vincent deturris
To:CityClerk
Cc:Pennon, Matt
Subject:Request for Leave of Absence
Date:Tuesday, September 2, 2025 4:14:47 PM
Commissioner Vincent DeTurris
205 Westmont Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
vincent.deturris@gmail.com
September 2, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
c/o Teresa Purrington
City Clerk’s Office
City of San Luis Obispo
Subject: Request for Leave of Absence
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I am writing to respectfully request a leave of absence from my duties as a Commissioner on the Human
Relations Commission for the period of October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Due to family
obligations abroad, I will be unable to attend the regularly scheduled meetings in person during these
months. I remain committed to serving the City of San Luis Obispo and intend to resume my full
participation starting with the January 2026 meeting.
I appreciate your consideration of my request and your continued support of the work of the Human
Relations Commission. Please let me know if any additional information is needed.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
Vincent DeTurris
Commissioner, Human Relations Commission
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ____________________.
________________________________
Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
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