Make Concord Planning Commission appointment process more transparent
November 23, 2007
Concord City Council will appoint one Planning Commissioner from a list of nine applicants during Tuesday’s (11/27) meeting. Unfortunately, this process is one of the least transparent and possibly the most politically motivated decisions Concord Council makes.
Planning Commission appointments deserve the utmost public scrutiny; especially with billions of dollars at stake from development opportunities including the Concord Naval Weapons property and infill projects in and around an expanded Redevelopment District and Downtown Concord that will create thousands of homes, jobs, and potential tax revenue.
Unfortunately, the public knows very little about the process or the applicants including their economic or political interests. And the public can only guess about the unseen backers—the usual suspects—who provide not a little arm twisting of council members to make sure their man gets the job that may hasten some project’s approval by Council.
And let’s not forget that the Planning Commission’s got juice, and once established as a player, such an appointment is a safe sinecure from which to solidify connections and rev up for a run for a council seat.
For instance, this bunch of applicants includes Robert Hoag, a retired Account Manager for IBM and recent unsuccessful applicant for the recent vacant city council seat the CNWS Community Advisory Committee (ed. mistake). Harmon West, is a five year member of Concord’s Community Services Commission who has run twice for City Council unsuccessfully. Along with some other candidates, there is also Ron Leone, who works for Antioch School District, and serves as a director on the Mt Diablo Hospital Board.
Interestingly, in the past city council election, Leone’s unsuccessful campaign benefitted from an (apx) $22,000 donation in the form of a mailer sponsored by an independent expenditure funded by the East Bay Business Coalition.
So is this a fair fight or what? Do you believe this is an open and honest application process? Or is it so corrupt it’s not even worth talking about? Should a sitting council member who has received campaign donations from the East Bay Business Coalition recuse themselves from such a vote? What can be done to make Planning Commission appointments more transparent and invite more public input than what we have now? Hell…should there even be a Planning Commission the way it’s organized now?
In addition to the usual statements of Economic Interest, perhaps the City could require and make available to the public, applicant statements concerning past campaign contributions they have received. And, in addition to regular filings required by the State of California, City Council members could voluntarily republish for distribution on the City website their own campaign contribution list with name of donor, date, and amount of donation.
This way the public might have a chance to connect the dots, figure out what’s what, and raise a ruckus sooner than later after the fix is in.
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4 Responses to “Make Concord Planning Commission appointment process more transparent”
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Yes I am a a retired IBM account manager, but I was NOT an applicant for the CNWS Community Advisory Committee. I was an applicant for the opening on the Concord City Council. I am not now or ever have been a member of any board, group, organization, business etc. that has ever done business with the City of Concord. I have never asked/received any support, funding, advice, etc. from any board, group, organization, business etc. that in any way shape or form has anything to do with the City of Concord or does business with the City of Concord. Please get your facts straight. By not doing so you call your own credibility into question.
Bill-
The Council did hold interviews with the Planning Commission candidates that were open to the public on Wednesday, November 14th. However, only Planning Commissioners Bill Brumley, Rich Jensen and resident Charles Lindquist were present that evening.
If people want to express their opinions on who the Council should select they can speak at the meeting next Tuesday or send an email to the City Council via - citycouncil@ci.concord.ca.us - those emails are printed and placed in each Councilmembers’ inbox at City Hall.
I can be reached via email - guybjerke@comcast.net . I would especially love to hear from residents willing to put their name and contact info with their comments or advice.
You are always a great read.
Guy Bjerke
City Councilmember
I am replying to this systematically so my reply can be completely understood. First of all keep in mind I am one of the applicants that interviewed. Before I applied I read the requirements and guidelines for applying so that I would not have to explain anything. I believe that it was every applicant’s responsibility to do this also. Now I am going to give my response for each of the situations listed in the “Make Concord Planning Commission appointment process more transparent”.
Question: “Hell…should there even be a Planning Commission the way it’s organized now?”
Answer: It is critical that a Planning commission exist. The General Plan lays out the guidelines and PLAN so it should be used as a “standard operations manual”. It is very easy to make sure you are within the guidelines when you have a standard operations manual. This does not mean it needs to be followed to the letter but there are certain hard limits that need to be adhered to.
From the “Make Concord Planning Commission appointment process more transparent” email: Robert Hoag: Specially when he writes “Please get your facts straight. By not doing so you call your own credibility into question.”
My response: His response was way too venomous. It could have been handled more professionally.
From the “Make Concord Planning Commission appointment process more transparent” email: Harmon West, is a five year member of Concord’s Community Services Commission who has run twice for City Council unsuccessfully.
My response: It is clear in the requirements and guidelines that you cannot be a member of any other city of Concord commission. Why did he apply? This reminds me of defining the meaning of “is” by President Clinton.
From the “Make Concord Planning Commission appointment process more transparent” email: Ron Leone, who works for Antioch School District, and serves as a director on the Mt Diablo Hospital Board. Interestingly, in the past city council election, Leone’s unsuccessful campaign benefitted from an (apx) $22,000 donation in the form of a mailer sponsored by an independent expenditure funded by the East Bay Business Coalition.
My response: The East Bay business coalition would really like him to be on the planning commission since there appears to have contributed to Ron’s checkbook. The Planning Commission could effect the success of the East Bay business coalition if the correct decision were applied. Is this conflict of interest? It could be.
If you have any questions or want more feedback feel free to call me at 686-5913 or email larryhuddleson@comcast.net
Thanks, Larry
Leone in the second round.
You called it again, Bill.
Damn. I thought you were just being cynical.