Big Bear Lake council fills three planning-commission seats, appoints one short-term replacement

Big Bear Lake — The City Council on June 11 appointed three people to four-year seats on the Planning Commission, named a fourth person to fill a two-year vacancy and designated an alternate after interviewing 10 applicants at a special meeting.

City Attorney Steve opened the meeting with a legal overview of the commission’s role and eligibility rules, noting the commission is established by local ordinance under California law and that commissioners are appointed by the mayor with council approval. "It's a California government code that provides it in every city and county. There shall be a planning agency," he told the council. He summarized local rules cited in the city’s municipal code, attendance and removal standards, and common conflict-of-interest triggers such as ownership of property within 500 feet of a project or financial interests affected by more than $1,000.

The appointments came after about eight hours of candidate interviews and a public-comment period in which several residents endorsed individual applicants. Jim Lund told the council Ernie (Ernesto) Mendoza “brings a unique set of skills to the commission. He's bilingual… and is somebody that serves with integrity,” during public comment.

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