Zukowski Challenges Frields Appointment

In a surprise move, Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski asked the Thousand Oaks City Council on Tuesday to remove the newly appointed chairman of the city’s Planning Commission pending a city attorney’s investigation.

The motion was amended by Mayor Andy Fox, who called it “a waste of time.” The City Council instead voted 3 to 2 to give planning commissioners a copy of their own bylaws and guidelines for ethical conduct.

The council’s dispute stems from the appointment last week of Forrest Frields as chairman of the commission over then-vice chairwoman Linda Parks. Traditionally, in Thousand Oaks the vice chairman has always been advanced to chairman. Frields was appointed to the commission to replace Joseph Gibson, who had resigned because of illness.

Zukowski charged that there may have been irregularities in the appointment of Frields, who may become a council candidate in November.

“Mr. Frields would not have been elected chair before the emergency appointment to the Planning Commission,” Zukowski said.

“Was there a plan to make him chair? If so, it was a violation of the Brown Act,” Zukowski said, referring to the state’s open meeting law.

Councilwoman Judy Lazar, who recommended that Frields be appointed to the commission, said any investigation would unearth nothing.

“Dissatisfied people are probably going to grouse over the appointment of the chair,” Lazar said. “And I want to clarify for the people that naming of the chair has never been a given.”

Fox said that Zukowski’s accusations were completely unwarranted.

“We need to be a little more responsible with city staff time, and this is obviously a waste of time,” Fox said.