To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
Prepared By: Emily Steinley, Office Assistant II
TITLE:
Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals and Disability Access Board of Appeals Membership
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
1. Reappoint incumbent, Gina Biter-Mundt, and appoint new member, Ian Heid, to serve concurrently on the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals and the Disability Access Board of Appeals for terms effective immediately and ending on September 30, 2029; and
2. Appoint new member, Consuelo Higdon, to serve on the Disability Access Board of Appeals, for a term effective immediately and ending on September 30, 2028.
Body
DISCUSSION:
COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION:
The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals is governed by Chapter 15.04.100 of the City of Napa Municipal Code. Any person adversely affected by a determination made be the Chief Building Official or Fire Code Official in administering or enforcing Chapters 15.04 or 15.10 of the Code, related to Building Standards and Property Maintenance Standards, may appeal the determination to the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals. The Board consists of five members, each of whom must demonstrate knowledge and experience regarding building, construction, and fire protection.
The Disability Access Board of Appeals is governed by Chapter 15.04.110 of the City of Napa Municipal Code and similarly consists of five members. The Board considers appeals from individuals aggrieved by a determination made by the Chief Building Official or Fire Code Official in administering or enforcing the requirements under the Code with respect to “public accommodations or facilities”. Three members must serve concurrently on the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals. Two members must meet the requirements of a physically handicapped person as defined by the California Health and Safety Code Section 19957.5.
Both of the above referenced Appellate Boards meet on “as called” or on an as-needed basis. There has been no appeal heard by either Board in several years.
NUMBER AND TIMING OF VACANCIES INCLUDING SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
The following vacancies have remained unfilled for an extended period:
On the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals, there are three vacancies due to the term expirations of John McBroom, Gina Biter-Mundt, and Kyle Larson effective September 30, 2025. John McBroom and Gina Biter-Mundt served concurrently on the Disability Access Board of Appeals. John McBroom and Kyle Larson did not reapply for another term. Gina Biter-Mundt recently reapplied.
On the Disability Access Board of Appeals, there are four vacancies due to the term expirations of James Krider effective September 30, 2024 and John McBroom, Gina Biter-Mundt, and Christopher Bennett effective September 30, 2025. John McBroom and Gina Biter-Mundt served concurrently on the Building and Fire Code Board of appeals. James Krider and John McBroom did not apply for another term. Christopher Bennett served as a member who meets the requirements of a physically handicapped person as defined by the California Health and Safety Code Section 19957.5 and did not reapply for another term.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Recruitment has been ongoing since the original term expirations, and closed on June 12, 2026, following the receipt of three applications. Recruitment announcements were published on the City’s website, posted at various locations at City Hall, Human Resources, and the Community Services building, and sent to the Napa County Library, Napa Valley College, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa County Board of Supervisors, Napa County Administration, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Coalition of Non-Profit Agencies, Napa Valley Community Housing, Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, Leadership Napa Valley, and NEOGOV.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED:
Three applications were received from Gina Biter-Mundt, Ian Heid, and Consuelo Higdon.
Gina Biter-Mundt is an incumbent and is applying for a seventh term.
Ian Heid and Consuelo Higdon are new applicants.
Gina Biter-Mundt has applied to serve concurrently on both appellate boards. While Ian Heid did not initially apply to serve concurrently, he has subsequently expressed interest to the City Clerk's Office in serving on both appellate boards.
Consuelo Higdon has applied as a member that meets the physically handicapped person requirements under the California Health and Safety Code Section 19957.5.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION:
Due to the ongoing challenges in recruiting qualified applicants for these positions, and to preserve the board's staggered appointment schedule, staff recommends extending the initial terms of Gina Biter-Mundt and Ian Heid to three years. This approach will help maintain balanced term expirations, support continuity of membership, and reduce the risk of future quorum issues.
Recruitment efforts are ongoing to fill the remaining vacancies on each board.
Copies of the applications have been provided as Attachment 1 for reference.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
None
CEQA:
The City Clerk has determined that the recommended action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Applications
NOTIFICATION:
Applicants