HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5e - Advisory Body Appointment to Human Relations Commission Item 5e
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1021
For Agenda of: 2/3/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Sara Armas, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENT FOR AN UNSCHEDULED VACANCY
ON THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
Confirm the appointment of Jennifer Chassman Browne to the Human Relations
Commission (HRC) for the remainder of the vacated term expiring June 30, 2026, and a
consecutive 4-year term expiring June 30, 2030.
POLICY CONTEXT
The Advisory Body Handbook outlines the recruitment procedures, membership
requirements, and term limits for City advisory bodies. The Handbook also contains the
bylaws for each City advisory body, some of which include additional membership
requirements. The Human Relations Commission is a seven -member advisory body
consisting of “individuals with experience or a demonstrated interest in community social
issues” who “advise and make recommendations… which promote and advance
inclusion, mutual understanding, respect, and equitable treatment to… the SLO City
Community”.
The City Council Policies and Procedures Manual describes the “Appointment Procedure”
and “Process” for Advisory Body appointments. Recruitment and appointment
recommendations were performed in conformance with all recruitment procedures,
processes, and bylaws founds in these resources.
California Government Code Section 54972, Local Appointments List (Maddy Act)
requires that on or before December 31st of each year, each legislative body shall prepare
an appointment lists for their boards, commissions, and committees whose members
serve at the pleasure of the legislative body. This obligation was met and is on-going.
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Item 5e
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office received notice of an unscheduled vacancy on the HRC at the
beginning of August 2025. The annual advisory body recruitment period in early 2025 had
identified two additional candidates that potentially could have filled this vacancy; one of
the candidates had been appointed to an earlier unscheduled vacancy on the HRC, while
the other had expressed continual interest in being considered. The Council Liaison
Subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Erica Stewart and Council Member Michelle
Shoresman, directed the Clerk’s Office to re-open recruitment to seek a pool of additional
potential applicants.
After a month-long recruitment, three applications were received. The previous qualified
applicant withdrew from consideration due to personal obligations , and another withdrew
as they were no longer a City resident. Upon completion of interviews of the remaining
two applicants, the Subcommittee was not able to find an applicant to fill the position.
A new recruitment was initiated to seek a new pool of potential candidates. Three
applications were received in the month the posting was reactivated. Upon completion of
applicant interviews, the Council Liaison Subcommittee recommend Jennifer Chassman
Browne fill the unscheduled vacancy through the current term’s expiration and an
additional 4-year full term thereafter.
Public Engagement
Following Maddy Act guidelines, notices were posted in the City Information kiosk outside
City Hall and on the Advisory Body Vacancies page of the City’s website alerting the
public that the City was accepting applications for the vacancy on the HRC.
The public will have the opportunity to provide public comment before or at the City
Council meeting on February 3, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended
action in this report, as the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Section 15378.
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Item 5e
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2025-26
Funding Identified: No
Fiscal Analysis: N/A
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $N/A $ $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $N/A $ $ $
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could recommend changes to the recommended appointment or direct staff to
re-open recruitment for additional candidates.
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