Madera City selection committee appoints representatives to regional boards

The Madera City Selection Committee approved a series of appointments Feb. 10 to represent the city on multiple regional boards and advisory committees, voting unanimously on each item as presented.

The committee approved Mayor Kelly Smith as chair and Mayor Cecilia Gallegos as vice chair of the City Selection Committee, then confirmed appointments to regional panels: Cecilia Gallegos was designated as the primary city representative and Kelly Smith as alternate to the Madera County Remote Access Network Board for a term ending Feb. 9, 2026; Tim Rachey, a City of Madera planning commissioner, was nominated and the committee approved his nomination as the large‑city representative to the San Joaquin Valley Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program pending confirmation of his availability; Jeff Trost was reappointed as primary representative and Rohi Zachariah as alternate to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Citizens Advisory Committee for terms ending Feb. 9, 2026; and the committee moved to approve the nomination slate for the countywide oversight board as presented.

Why it matters: these positions determine who represents Madera on regional planning, air quality and oversight bodies that set priorities, advise on grant and planning decisions and coordinate countywide projects. Committee members asked about meeting schedules and whether appointees would be available for daytime meetings.

Details and outcomes

- Chair and vice chair: The committee approved the appointment of Mayor Kelly Smith as chair of the City Selection Committee and Mayor Cecilia Gallegos as vice chair. Vote: 2-0.

- 7(a) Madera County Remote Access Network Board: The committee approved appointing Mayor Cecilia Gallegos (primary) and Mayor Kelly Smith (alternate) to the Madera County Remote Access Network Board for a term ending Feb. 9, 2026. Vote: 2-0.

- 7(b) San Joaquin Valley Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program, large‑city representative: The item text proposed appointing Mayor Cecilia Gallegos as the large‑city representative for an indefinite term. Committee members raised scheduling concerns (some meetings may occur during weekday business hours). The committee then nominated Tim Rachey, a City of Madera planning commissioner, and approved that nomination; the chair said she would confirm Rachey’s availability before finalizing the placement. Vote: 2-0. Note: the committee did not specify an exact meeting schedule for the REAP program; one speaker recalled seeing meetings on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. but could not confirm which subcommittee that referred to.

- 7(c/ d) San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Citizens Advisory Committee: The committee reappointed Jeff Trost as primary representative and Rohi Zachariah as alternate for terms ending Feb. 9, 2026. Trost had asked to be reappointed; the committee approved the pair as primary and alternate. Vote: 2-0.

- 7(e) Countywide oversight board: The agenda listed nominations of Mayor Kelly Smith and Mayor Cecilia Gallegos for a primary seat on the countywide oversight board (term described as indefinite). The committee moved to approve the nominations as presented; the motion passed 2-0. The agenda text and ensuing discussion did not specify which nominee would serve as primary versus alternate in the final appointment paperwork.

Process notes and follow up

Committee members asked whether regional boards set regular meeting days and times; one staff speaker said meeting times vary by board and that the committee could provide more specific schedule details later. The committee approved the nominations on the record and, in at least one case (Tim Rachey), indicated it would confirm the nominee’s willingness and availability before completing the appointment.

The committee adjourned after completing the appointments.