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Victoria council names new members to senior, parks and planning panels
Summary
The City of Victoria Council appointed members to the Senior Advisory Committee, the Parks and Recreation Committee (expanded from seven to nine members) and three seats plus an alternate on the Planning Commission during its March 10, 2025 meeting.
The City of Victoria Council on March 10 appointed Jennifer Spalding to the Senior Advisory Committee and filled several openings on the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Planning Commission.
City Manager Hardy told the council that interviews had been held earlier and that staff provided candidate lists and suggested motions. "We had such wonderful applicants who are willing to give their their time and talents to the community," Hardy said, recommending the council proceed with appointments.
Why it matters: the appointees will advise council on parks, recreation, senior services and land-use matters at a time when the city is expanding recreation programming and reviewing development applications that touch multiple advisory boards.
The council unanimously appointed Jennifer Spalding to the Senior Advisory Committee for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2025. On Parks and Recreation, the council directed staff to expand the committee from seven to nine members to improve coverage during summers and vacations and then appointed Alexander Haim, Chris Casey and Adam Doer to three-year terms beginning April 1, 2025, and reappointed Terry Cope to a two-year term beginning April 1, 2025. Councilmember Pedersen reported he had spoken with Parks & Rec Chair Schultz, who favored expansion to nine members.
On the Planning Commission, the council appointed Aaron Croft, Ryan Graham and Mallory (last name not specified in the record) to three-year terms beginning April 1, 2025, and designated Robert Bean as an alternate. Council members discussed balancing incumbency and bringing new voices to the commission; several members said the candidates were all highly qualified. Councilmember Zabinski urged applicants who were not selected to stay engaged and apply again when vacancies arise.
The council also established an on-deck order for candidates (Jamie Crenell, Jarrett [last name not specified], and John [last name not specified]) so staff can contact them if alternates or vacancies occur during the year.
Quotes in context: City Manager Hardy said, "We had such wonderful applicants who are willing to give their their time and talents to the community." Councilmember Pedersen said expanding Parks and Rec to nine members "would only give us a better group of folks to draw information from." Councilmember Zabinski asked unsuccessful applicants to "stay engaged and stay involved."
What the motions did and how votes were recorded: the appointments were moved and seconded on the record and approved by voice vote with no opposed votes recorded. The minutes show unanimous council approval for each appointment.
Ending: Newly appointed members will begin their terms April 1, 2025. The council directed staff to implement the committee-size change and to return any needed ordinance or administrative updates in future meetings.
