Personnel committee forwards Charlene Pascual nomination for Community Development director after executive-session review

Charlene Pascual, appointed by Mayor Brian De Pena to serve as acting director of Community Development, appeared before the Personnel Committee seeking confirmation. Pascual described her Lawrence roots, nonprofit and legal-adjacent experience and said she led the department’s first strategic plan, noting partnerships with more than 100 organizations. Committee members asked about the hiring process, qualifications of applicants and administrative procedures. Personnel Director Carol Garcia said the position posting closed Feb. 14, 2025, and that four applications were received. Garcia said one applicant had graduate study that met the ordinance’s “master’s or equivalent” standard; she also confirmed Pascual has served in the acting role since April 1. During questioning a councilor raised an allegation contained in an email that suggested Pascual may have used the city’s rental-assistance program for her own rent. The chair described the matter as potentially reputational and requested a motion to go into executive session to address personnel/reputational concerns. The committee entered executive session, invited necessary staff and returned to public session afterward. After the executive-session review the committee voted to send the nomination to the full council as a committee report with a favorable recommendation. Committee members emphasized they had asked procedural and reputational questions but did not make any finding of wrongdoing in public session. The chair also reminded the council there is a 30-day appointment rule that would automatically confirm an appointee if the council does not act within the statutory window. The nomination will be considered by the full City Council at its next meeting. The committee did not disclose details of the executive-session discussion; any substantiated personnel investigations or records would follow applicable privacy and public-record statutes.