Council delays planning commission appointment after split votes; will reconvene when full council present

The Tehachapi City Council on Tuesday heard presentations from two candidates for a vacant planning commission seat but did not make an appointment after multiple roll-call votes produced no majority. Council members chose to table the matter until the full five-member council can participate.

Applicants Kelly Ann (Kellyanne) Ryan and Barbara Minor each made brief remarks outlining their ties to Tehachapi and interest in serving on the commission. Kelly Ann Ryan described a background in operations and staffing and said her project-management experience would “lend itself really well to the planning commission.” Barbara Minor emphasized county-level experience, constituent work and relationship-building skills.

Council members nominated both applicants and conducted roll-call votes. The council’s four members present split on the nominees in successive rounds, and at one point the mayor’s absence (Mayor Joan Povancourt was noted as recovering from knee replacement surgery) left the council with an even number of voters. The council agreed to table the appointment until Mayor Povancourt can return, asking that both candidates be invited back to a future meeting.

Council members characterized the choice as difficult and praised both applicants’ qualifications. There was no formal motion to appoint either candidate during the meeting; the item will return to a future agenda when the council is at full strength.