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be considered to discuss issues, receive mentoring, align the vision, goals and
objectives and build trust and rapport, which is a typical best practice.
122.
Recommendation:
The Community Development Director should schedule
bi-annual joint study session meetings between the PC and the City Council.
Meeting Efficiency
We did receive feedback from focus groups and others that Planning Commission
meetings sometimes run very late, which can be challenging for all participants and
attendees. A few interviewees expressed concern that the meetings are lengthy
because PC members debate issues that are beyond their scope of review (i.e. Design
review issues), and public testimony should be managed more effectively.
The members interviewed stated that they have begun to proactively manage agendas
to ensure that simpler projects are moved to the beginning of the agenda, so that these
applicants are not waiting around for hours for their project to be considered, which is
a good practice. In addition, the Commission strives to complete meetings by 11:00
pm, when possible.
Orientation/Training for PC New Members
Interviewees stated that there are 3 new Members on the Commission, including 1
added in the last year and 2 added in the last six months. New members attended an
orientation meeting and training was provided. In addition, Members attend League of
California Cities Planning Commissioner training and are coached and mentored by
tenured members.
We received some negative feedback from focus group members that some newer
members may need additional training so that they gain a more comprehensive
understanding of their scope of review and city policies and regulations, which
impacts meeting efficiency. We were told that CDD staff has been scheduling subject
matter workshops with the PC to help raise newer Member skill levels, including a
recent Design Review workshop with the American Institute of Architects, which is
good.
123.
Recommendation:
The Community Development Director should work
with the Planning Commission Chair to identify additional training needs for the
Commission and provide training as soon as practicable.
Staff Presentations/Management Attendance at PC
Staff members present their own cases to the PC via PowerPoint, which is a current
best practice. Staff indicated that they strive to provide a comprehensive review of