Newcomer Sean Randall and two-term incumbent Jeff Zellner will serve on the Manteca Planning Commission through 2024.

The Manteca City Council unanimously supported the two applicants for a pair of four-year terms. They will join Ron Lafranchi, Parminder Singh Sahi, and Leonard Smith whose terms expire at the end of 2022. Alternative commission member Kirk Dall’s term also expires in December of 2022.

During the four-hour special meeting Dec. 17 conducted on Zoom when the council was interviewing applicants for  various commissions and boards, Councilman Jose Nuño stressed to Planning Commission hopefuls that it is a high profile position that can be a stepping stone to the council.

That is exactly what happened when Mike Morowit was elected in 2014 as a council member and Gary Singh and Nuño followed suit in 2016. All three were serving as planning commissioners at the time.

Zellner, as a sitting commissioner, also ran for City Council in 2016 but came up short.

“Manteca’s position is poised for success,” Randall noted in response to an application question. “The location of the city is well positioned to outperform the surrounding cities of Stockton, Modesto, and Tracy. There is room for growth in the restaurant sector, and retail sector, along with additional areas for housing. I believe Manteca can be a place that will draw visitors from everywhere. The potential is here.”

Randall has worked in the telecommunications industry for 20 years. He is vice president of business development and operation s with his current employer. Over the years he has worked with all three major wireless providers — Verizon, AT&T and Sprint — on developing their networks and infrastructure in California and the Intermountain West.

He indicated his job in telecommunications has helped him understand how projects can potentially influence the general population which underscores the need to make sure plans are designed properly and executed correctly

Randall is also an Air Force veteran.

Zellner works in the insurance and financial services field and has his own agency. He is a past president of both the Manteca Chamber of Commerce and the HOPE Family Shelter.

Zellner on his application noted his vision for Manteca is “smart sustainable growth.”

Other applications were Steve Oliva, Stephen Tahija, and Grant Cabral.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com