Office of Planning and Development Director Appointment
At a glance
The Personnel Committee heard item 411-26, the appointment of Lynette Perez, acting director since July 7 (about 79 to 90 days), as permanent director of the Office of Planning and Development. Personnel Director Carol Garcia said six people applied, four were interviewed, and the five-member search committee unanimously recommended Perez. Department staff spoke in support. Emails read into the record questioned her qualifications against the posted requirements (a master's degree in planning is preferred, with five years of municipal planning experience, or an equivalent combination) and raised concerns about political ties to the mayor; a city employee wrote in support. Perez said she is not a planner but meets the substitution clause through leadership, grant and budget experience, said she disclosed that her son works in the department to the state ethics commission and signed a conflict of interest form, and agreed to provide her transcript to HR. Council Vice President Levy asked for the transcript and the ethics paperwork. The committee voted 2 to 1 (Levy opposed) to send the appointment to the full council with a favorable recommendation; the full council vote was expected the following week.
Based on auto-generated captions of the video; names and numbers may be misheard. The recording combines two committee meetings held the same evening.
Sources
Log
- 2026-10-15 - Personnel and Budget and Finance Committee - Discussed at committee on 2026-10-15.