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Planning Commission ratifies vacancy on Cultural Heritage Board after member misses year of meetings
Summary
The Stockton City Planning Commission voted 6-0 to adopt a resolution ratifying the removal of Julian Johnson from the Cultural Heritage Board after the board found he missed all meetings in the last 12 months and exceeded the revised attendance threshold.
The Stockton City Planning Commission on Jan. 23 ratified a vacancy on the Cultural Heritage Board, voting 6-0 to adopt a resolution removing Julian Johnson after he missed all meetings during the last 12 months.
The action followed a report from planning staff that compared board attendance against a revised council attendance policy. Planning staff said the policy, as revised July 9, 2024, treats members of monthly boards as eligible for vacancy if they miss more than 25% of meetings over a 12-month period. "That board member is, Julian Johnson, and he has missed all meetings in the last 12 months. He has not been present," planning staff member Mike McDowell told the commission.
The Cultural Heritage Board reviewed attendance and determined two members had extenuating circumstances and had improved attendance; the board unanimously recommended that only Johnson's seat be vacated. Planning staff explained the board had discussed the formal attendance policy on Oct. 4, 2023, and returned recommendations after the council revised the policy on July 9, 2024.
Commissioners discussed the procedure briefly and confirmed the planning commission is the body that ratifies removals to the Cultural Heritage Board under the revised policy. The commission then moved to "adopt a resolution ratifying the removal of member Johnson from the Cultural Heritage Board for excessive absences." Commissioner Johnson moved the resolution; the motion was seconded and passed, recorded as 6-0.
As ratified, the seat becomes vacant and the city clerk will advertise the opening so the city can recruit and appoint a replacement in accordance with the revised council policy manual. Planning staff said the vacancy will allow recruitment and appointment under existing procedures.
Background: Planning staff told commissioners that three Cultural Heritage Board members exceeded the 25% absence threshold during the previous 12 months, but two had documented extenuating circumstances and improved attendance. The removal ratified on Jan. 23 applies only to Julian Johnson, whose complete absence over the past year prompted the board’s recommendation for vacatur.
No public comment was recorded on the item prior to the commission’s vote.
