Monterey City Council agenda released; only one sitting Planning Commissioner recommended for reappointment.

The Monterey Planning Commission, whose seven members bring decades of experience to their positions, is being recommended for a makeover. 

Four of the seven commissioners are currently seeing their terms expire, and like past years, all reapplied for their positions. Unlike past years, they face competition from eight other applicants, meaning 12 people are vying for four seats.

The recommendations made by Mayor Clyde Roberson and Vice Mayor Alan Haffa, who comprise the City Council's Commission Appointments Subcommittee, were released by the city today in the Aug. 18 City Council agenda.

Planning Commissioner Paul Davis is being recommended for reappointment, and three newcomers—Mike Dawson, Dan Fletcher and Stephen Millich—are also recommended for seats. Dawson currently sits on the city's Architectural Review Commission, while Fletcher serves on the Historic Preservation Commission. Millich is a former Simi Valley assistant city attorney.

In the agenda report, Roberson and Haffa spell out the criteria of their recommendations:

1. It is good to have new people on boards and commissions. New people bring new ideas and new perspectives.
2. It is good to have experience as well.
3. A diversity of professional and personal experiences is desirable.
4. It is good to rotate commissions, allowing people to serve in different capacities.
5. It is good to take a break, and then come back and get on a commission again.
6. It is good to provide opportunity for a broad spectrum of Monterey residents to serve on commissions.

The three commissioners not recommended for reappointment are David Stocker, Luis Osorio and Bill McCrone, who's made a name for himself by calling out city officials, both past and present, for questionable leasing practices on the waterfront. 

In spelling out the logic of their recommendations, Roberson and Haffa also state: "In addition to useful experience, the four proposed PC candidates present themselves in a way that is respectful of the public, staff and council."

The inclusion of that bit seems to indicate that even though McCrone always said he was speaking as a member of the public during council meetings, and not as a planning commissioner, it did not help his cause.

Before the recommendations were made public, Stocker—who had a sense he would not get a recommendation—lashed out at a process he sees as improperly politicized.

"What it feels like [Roberson is] doing is cherry picking the people he doesn’t like," Stocker said. "Is that the way it’s supposed to work?"

Monterey City Clerk Bonnie Gawf says that typically, councilmembers rotate in and out the Commission Appointments Subcommittee. But because three new members were elected last year, she says that Roberson suggested he and Haffa take the reins.

City Council will vote Aug. 18 as to whether to approve the recommendations.