Amandeep Kaur was appointed to the Ceres Planning Commission Monday evening amid a field of four applicants, one of which was current commission member Bob Gobble.

Kaur fills the term of Gobble which is expiring.

Despite having three other applicants, the council did not fill the second vacancy created when Gary M. Condit resigned after winning a seat on the Ceres City Council last week. City Clerk Fallon Martin said the city started an applicant recruitment which runs until the end of the month to fill Condit’s unexpired term, and said “we’ll come back at a later date to interview and fill the partial term vacancy because this recruitment was only advertised as one full-term vacancy.”

On Monday Councilman James Casey recommended the removal of R.J. Jammu for two unexcused absences as outlined in the Ceres Municipal Code but no action was taken.

The other applicants considered were Stephen Gonzalez and Randy Moore.

Each councilmember put the same questions to the applicants.

Gobble told the council that he has “learned quite a bit” on the commission and noted that he diligently studies staff reports and does site checks before meetings. He said he would help bring stability to the commission.

“You’ve got two commissioners that have barely two years, myself, and another gentleman that barely had one year,” said Gobble. “And I think that stability needs to be there, because you’re gonna have two openings now and you could possibly have three people that have under one year on the commission to be able to do the work.”

Kaur, who was raised in Ceres, helped manage his father’s business and later sold real estate and opened an insurance agency in Ceres.

“I have not any city commission or public service qualifications, but I’m willing to listen, learn, and make fair decisions,” said Kaur. He also stated that he wants Ceres to “grow in a responsible and thoughtful way.”

Gonzalez answered questions remotely and told the council that he has experience in civil engineering and construction as well as environmental compliance. He has worked for cities in Southern California and worked for the city of Ceres for about two years.

Moore detailed how he has a deep knowledge of the community, having lived in Ceres for 50 years, worked for the Ceres Police Department for 20 years, and having been a Ceres Lions Club member for over 25 years. He also has served on the Ceres Street Faire Committee for 20 years, was a member of the Ceres High Athletic Booster Club for 15 plus years and coached youth baseball, and wrestling in Ceres.

Councilman James Casey said she was impressed by Gobble’s experience on the commission and felt he would add to the commission’s stability.

Mayor Javier Lopez recommended Kaur for the appointment which was rejected by Casey and Councilwoman Cerino Otero. Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez and Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra stood with the mayor in the 3-2 vote.