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.

Why this matters: The Planning Commission reviews land-use applications, special-event permits and zoning matters and will play a central role in the upcoming general-plan update the council expects to begin. New commissioners will help vet projects that later come before the council and will sit on the five-member body that makes formal recommendations on land use and development standards.

What the council chose: The council voted to appoint Lisa Bist, Michael LeGrande and Jim Eakin to four-year terms expiring June 30, 2029. Ernesto Mendoza was appointed to fill a two-year vacancy expiring June 30, 2027. The council also designated Sarah Schott as an alternate, to be eligible to step into a vacancy for up to 90 days if an appointed commissioner cannot serve. The votes were by roll call; the four-year appointments passed 4–1 (Council member Hicks opposed), Mendoza’s two-year appointment was approved unanimously 5–0, and the alternate designation passed 4–1 (Hicks opposed).

Council members stressed different priorities during the deliberation. Several members cited a desire for a mix of experienced and newer voices on the commission. One councilor said the decision balanced prior planning experience with applicants who are newer to local government but closely engaged in the community.

City attorney guidance and recusal rules: Steve told the council that under the municipal code the commission has five members, each with a four-year term, and that commissioners must abide by an adopted code of ethics. He described two common conflict scenarios that often lead to recusals: ownership of real property within 500 feet of a project (usually requiring recusal) and situations where a decision would affect a source of income in the aggregate by $1,000 or more. He emphasized recusal is a case-by-case, fact-based determination.

Next steps and context: The newly appointed commissioners will be sworn in and begin hearing matters before the Planning Commission. Council members noted the general-plan update and housing-related state requirements will increase Planning Commission workload in coming months, and they asked appointees to be prepared for additional meetings and public outreach.

Votes at a glance - Lisa Bist — appointed to a four-year Planning Commission term (effective 07/01/2025; expires 06/30/2029). Roll-call: Herrick Aye; Putz Aye; Segovia Aye; Hicks No; Melnick Aye. Outcome: approved (4–1). - Michael LeGrande — appointed to a four-year Planning Commission term (07/01/2025–06/30/2029). Roll-call: Herrick Aye; Putz Aye; Segovia Aye; Hicks No; Melnick Aye. Outcome: approved (4–1). - Jim Eakin — appointed to a four-year Planning Commission term (07/01/2025–06/30/2029). Roll-call: Herrick Aye; Putz Aye; Segovia Aye; Hicks No; Melnick Aye. Outcome: approved (4–1). - Ernesto Mendoza — appointed to fill a two-year vacancy (07/01/2025–06/30/2027). Roll-call: Hicks Aye; Segovia Aye; Herrick Aye; Putz Aye; Melnick Aye. Outcome: approved (5–0). - Sarah Schott — designated as an alternate to fill a vacancy for up to 90 days if needed (designation approved by roll call: Segovia Aye; Herrick Aye; Putz Aye; Hicks No; Melnick Aye). Outcome: approved (4–1).

Quotations - City Attorney Steve (legal overview): "It's a California government code that provides it in every city and county. There shall be a planning agency." - Public commenter Jim Lund (endorsement for Ernesto Mendoza): "He brings a unique set of skills to the commission. He's bilingual… and is somebody that serves with integrity."

The council indicated it will schedule a formal recognition of outgoing or non-selected applicants at a future meeting. The City Clerk will notify appointees about swearing-in and docketing for upcoming Planning Commission hearings.