TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
PREPARED BY: Kimberly Ramirez, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT:
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Appointment to the Unscheduled Vacancy of the Planning Commission
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Conduct an interview for the one Planning Commission vacancy; and
Appoint a Regular Member of the Planning Commission, term ending December 2028; OR
Take another action the City Council deems appropriate.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On January 21, 2025, the City Council voted to appoint 2 regular members and 1 alternate member to the Planning Commission (Vote: 4-1).
On January 21, 2025, the City Council eliminated the City Council Ad-Hoc Appointments Subcommittee (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Foster and promote an engaged, connected and caring community.
DISCUSSION
The City of Murrieta (City) has five (5) active commissions and committees, each one focusing on a specific subject matter to advise and provide recommendations to the City Council. The Planning Commission’s (Commission) membership composition consists of five (5) Regular Members and two (2) Alternate Members. The primary purpose of the Commission is to focus on the physical environment within the City. It conducts public hearings and makes decisions or recommendations about development on behalf of the City Council. It also makes recommendations to the City Council on General Plan amendments, specific plans and zone changes (MMC 2.44.015).
During the annual scheduled vacancy appointments, and in accordance with City Council Policy No. 100-7, the City Council appointed the following two regular members through December 2028, and an Alternate No. 1 Member through December 2026:
1. Tom Beamish, Regular Member (term December 31, 2028)
2. Michael DeSena, Regular Member (term December 31, 2028)
3. Sara Halvorson Saha, Alternate 1 Member (term December 31, 2026)
On May 12, 2025, Tom Beamish provided his immediate resignation, advancing Alternate No. 1 to fulfill the vacancy through 2028. Unfortunately, the alternate is currently unable to serve as a Regular Member at this time but will remain as the Alternate No. 1 member.
The City Clerk posted and published a Call for Applications, reached out to all active applicants on file for the Commission, and conducted public outreach at a City event. Since the application period closed, and the City Council requested to interview all interested applicants, the City Council will review, interview, and appoint one Regular Member with a term ending December 31, 2028.
The City received interest from three applicants; however, two applicants were found to be ineligible as they reside outside of City boundaries. The single applicant to be interviewed is John Rose. The applicant has been informed of the Commission interview taking place during the July 15, 2025, City Council meeting and was encouraged to attend. The applicant also understands that participating in the Commission requires applicants to know, appreciate, and comprehend public issues and concerns related to the City, as expected of someone who has resided in the City for at least three years.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None*
*All Commission and Committee applications are on file with the City Clerk and can be viewed by contacting (951) 461-6030. Non-redacted applications have been provided to the City Council under separate cover and in advance of the July 15, 2025, City Council meeting.