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Council introduces ordinance to merge Senior Citizens Committee into expanded Parks, Recreation and Senior Commission
Summary
The Laguna Niguel City Council introduced an ordinance to rename and expand the Parks and Recreation Commission to include senior‑committee duties, increase membership to seven, and require at least two meetings per year at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center; the measure was introduced 4–0 and will be scheduled for adoption March 4.
The Laguna Niguel City Council on Feb. 18 introduced an ordinance to combine the duties of the Senior Citizens Committee with an expanded Parks and Recreation Commission, renaming it the Parks, Recreation and Senior Commission and increasing membership from five to seven.
Assistant City Manager Martin presented the proposal, saying the change responds to prior council direction to elevate the senior committee (all of whose positions are vacant) and consolidate oversight of parks and senior programming under one appointed body. Staff recommended that at least two commission meetings each year be held at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center during operating hours. Staff also determined the proposed changes are exempt from CEQA and recommended the council waive full reading and introduce the ordinance by title; the council followed that recommendation and directed staff to place the ordinance on the March 4 agenda for adoption (motion by Council member Otto; second by Council member Winstead; vote 4–0).
Mayor Pro Tem Johns, who has served on both bodies, acknowledged seniors’ concerns about representation but urged the council that the merger will "get even more attention" for senior issues and noted that two members currently on the Senior Citizens Committee will be brought over to the new commission to preserve institutional knowledge. Council member Winstead said elevating committee members to commissioners will give seniors "a louder voice." The ordinance as introduced sets the new commission’s composition and duties in the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code.
If adopted on March 4, the change will convert the senior committee’s advisory role into a permanent commission and formally incorporate senior programming oversight into the parks commission’s responsibilities. Staff will return with the final ordinance for adoption and any implementing amendments needed to the municipal code.
