Signal Hill City Council reviews applicants for various commission various seats

Corey Washington:
Staff Writer

The Signal Hill City Council fielded a number of responses at an adjourned regular city council meeting on Monday during interviews with local applicants who were vying for a chance to fill several commission vacancies. The applicants were being considered for appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. The Civil Service Commission also has vacancies.
The city council is interviewing to appoint seven commissioners in total for all of the City’s commissions. The terms of those current commission seats will expire May 31. Six commissioners did not seek reappointment for their expiring terms, and one Civil Service commissioner, Bill Yochum, recently resigned from his post before fulfilling its term.
Five applicants publicly presented their qualifications to the city council and answered questions about their experiences and abilities, and how it qualified them to be a part of their selected commission. Among the applicants interviewed were Kiran Gidwani, Caroline Kiss-Lee, Nancy Lauer and Christopher Wilson. Rose Richárd, the only incumbent commissioner in attendance, also applied for reappointment to the Planning Commission. Two applicants, Jane Fallon, seeking reappointment to the Planning Commission, and Lisa Gary, a new applicant, were not in attendance. Fallon, however, submitted a letter of intent for the council to consider in her absence.
Gidwani, a graduate of Pepperdine University who works in information technology, was the first applicant to be interviewed by the council. Gidwani applied for both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. His stated first choice among the commissions was an appointment to Parks and Recreation. Gidwani said he now has the time to commit to the commission. He said his background in information technology could also be an asset in developing ways to engage the community.

Kiss-Lee, a business owner and 15-year resident, applied for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Kiss-Lee said her experiences in management and as a team leader were some of the reasons she could be useful to the City as a Parks and Recreation commissioner. She said now that she has children and has volunteered, as well attended numerous community events with them, she has become inspired to be more involved in the city and felt the Parks and Recreation Commission was where her skills could be utilized.
Lauer, a retired Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) captain, applied for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Lauer was an officer with LAPD for nearly 29 years before retiring and has a lengthy history of accomplishments throughout her tenure. She said her direct involvement with community partnerships and youth-oriented activities were some of the experiences that could be beneficial to the city. Lauer said she has ample time to commit to the commission and wants to be proactively involved in the community.

Wilson, the current deputy district director to Assemblymember Mike Gipson and former staff member for Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal, applied for both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. His stated preference was an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Wilson wants to create more youth programs and said there are many “demographics” among the city’s youth he wants to reach. Wilson also said he wants to help the City become more of a “proactive city instead of reactive.”

Richárd, an incumbent commissioner, reapplied for the Planning Commission. Councilmember Michael Noll commended Richárd for her attendance at so many of the city’s events and simultaneously working on the commission. She said one of her favorite projects as a commissioner was the request to establish a tattoo parlor in the city because it reflected the diversity of the community. Richárd was the last applicant to be reviewed since the Planning Commission interviews were conducted last.
The terms for city commissioners expire every four years. Commissioners are allowed to reapply for the same commission when they reach their term limits. The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the council on events and services the City can provide to residents, as well as recommends policies related to facilities, properties, services and programs. The Planning Commission is responsible for providing advice and recommendations to the council on land use and development issues, including zoning and conditional-use permits. The Civil Service Commission approves the eligibility lists of civilians qualified for classified service, as well as reviews the appeals of employees that may have been dismissed or suspended.

Mayor Larry Forester encouraged the applicants to consider applying for the Civil Service Commission if they do not receive an appointment to the commission they originally sought. The Civil Service Commission interviews were postponed. Because of Yochum’s resignation, only applicants for the Parks and Recreation and Planning Commission were present to be interviewed by the city council. The Civil Service Commission applicants were Ronald Griggs and Victor Parker.
The council will announce its official appointments to city commissions at the city council meeting on May 19.