San Gabriel council fills seats on four advisory commissions after interviews

The San Gabriel City Council on April 8, 2025, appointed members to four city advisory commissions after a series of interviews and ballots held during the council meeting.

The council voted by ballot and motion to fill seats on the Design Review Commission, Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission, Planning Commission and the Civil Service Commission. Staff and council members emphasized continuity for an ongoing civil-service hearing and the city’s interest in preserving historic resources while accommodating planned development.

Staff told the council the recruitment for the Community Services Commission will be extended to April 25, 2025, and that interviews for that commission will be held in May 2025 to fill four seats. Assistant City Clerk (staff) said the extension was requested because of the number of expiring seats and an unscheduled vacancy.

Votes at a glance - Design Review Commission (three seats): Raymond Chang (4 votes), Erlinda Romo (5), Leah Tu (5) — appointed. - Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission (three seats): Kyle Devine (5), Eric Urena (5), Eric Weeks (5) — appointed. - Planning Commission (two seats): Feng Li (4), Jerry Schwartz (5) — appointed; Gary Lou received 1 vote (absent from the interview). - Civil Service Commission (two seats): Howard Fong and Douglas Richter were reappointed by motion (vote passed 5-0) to preserve continuity for an ongoing hearing.

City Attorney Martin explained the staff recommendation to reappoint the two existing civil service commissioners: “There’s an ongoing hearing and changing the commission structure of the commission at this point in time would potentially delay it or you would have to restart in some instances depending how deep they are into the hearing.” The council approved that recommendation by motion and a recorded 5-0 vote.

Council members conducted timed interviews with applicants for the Design Review, Historic Preservation, Planning and Civil Service commissions. Candidates described professional and community experience they said would support the council’s goals for quality design, preservation of historic neighborhoods and careful planning amid development pressures. Applicants and council members raised issues including residency requirements for some commissions, documentation standards for project submittals, and public outreach for future projects.

Assistant City Clerk staff noted an unscheduled vacancy on the Community Services Commission that will arise after May 31 and said staff requested the recruitment deadline be extended to 04/25/2025 so interviews can be held in May for four seats.

Mayor Menchaca closed the meeting by thanking applicants and commissioners for their service and noting the next council meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2025, at 6 p.m.

(Full appointment tallies and staff statements are recorded in the meeting minutes.)