Oakley to Appoint Planning Commissioners, Talk Governance Policy

On Tuesday, the Oakley City Council will look to make two appointments to the planning commission while also talking about a governance policy for elected officials.

The council will also hold a hearing for an appeal for fireworks violations at 61 Merganser Ct—the fine is $1,000. It was announced in August, Oakley Police issued 14 citations.

• 2021- 27 fines
  
• 2022- 1 fines
• 2023- 6 fines
• 2014 – 14 citations issued

Oakley Planning Commission Appointments

The Oakley City Council will look to appoint two applicants for the planning commission with two year terms ending February 28, 2027. A total of 6 applicants applied which include:

1. Cristina Pena Langley
2. Kerry Ann Harvey
3. Yared Oliveros
4. JConr Brown Ortega
5. Pierre Goudie
6. Paschal Iwuh
7. To view applications – click here

Citywide Governance Policy for Elected Officials

Staff is proposing twelve principles to establish a Citywide Governance Policy for Elected Officials to govern Oakley as “one community” given that Councilmembers are now elected by district. The proposed governance principles below are designed to

maintain citywide (at-large) governance:

1. The City Council will govern on a citywide basis and ensure decisions are made based on the needs and interests of the entire community.
2. The City Council wishes to remain united in its customer service to the community and provide an excellent quality of life for all.
3. All members of the City Council will help all members of the community regardless of which district residents reside in or from which districts the City Councilmembers are elected.
4. Professional management in a City Manager/City Council form of government will continue.
5. Commissions and board appointments will continue to be made at large, with each Councilmember able to nominate appointees from anywhere in the City irrespective of election districts.
6. Information, issues and interests within each district necessary for the City Council to govern on a citywide basis will be shared with all City Councilmembers.
7. Financial, operational, project, and other information will be presented on a citywide basis and not segregated by election district.
8. City Council fiscal management, best practices, and City systems will continue to reflect services provided to all residents and businesses citywide.
9. Resources (including staffing, services and capital projects) will continue to be allocated and prioritized based on data and long-term strategic planning efforts with citywide considerations of service levels and financial capacity without giving preference or showing favoritism to any district.
10. Current practices of inviting all Councilmembers to events and activities will remain in effect.
11. The City Council will follow the current practice of the Mayor speaking at events on behalf of the City Council and if not available, the Vice Mayor or other Councilmembers who are available will speak on behalf of the City Council.
12. City Councilmembers upon election, re-election, or appointment, will certify, in writing, their receipt and understanding of this Citywide Governance Policy.

According to the staff report,  While community members may initially think the roles of Councilmembers have changed due to the shift to district-based elections, the roles of the City Council/City Manager in policy creation and program administration remain the same. Staff will maintain citywide messaging on communication platforms with the exception of continuing to utilize the NextDoor specific neighborhoods notification feature when the message is not of citywide importance (such as a temporary no-parking period when a residential neighborhood’s street is being resurfaced)

If You Go
Oakley City Council Meeting
January 28, 2025
6:30 pm
3231 Main St, Oakley CA
Full Agenda – Click here