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Council pauses appointment of Robert Nizic to Recreation and Parks commission after concerns about candidacy
Summary
Council considered but did not confirm the appointment of Robert Nizic to the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners after debate over whether appointees running for elected office should serve on commissions; the roll call showed 7 ayes and 4 nos and the item was carried over to the next day.
The Los Angeles City Council on July 11 deferred final action on the appointment of Robert Nizic to the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners after members expressed concern about his candidacy for elected office and whether commissioners should serve while campaigning.
The item was placed on the regular agenda after a hearing by the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee. Committee members reported the nomination came before them without the committee chair having had an opportunity to meet the nominee beforehand. Councilmember Walters said she declined to recommend the appointment to the full council because of the mayor’s prior practice (as she described it) of asking commission appointees running for office to leave their seats; Walters said she wants commissioners who will commit sustained attention to their commissions.
Councilmember Savornich spoke in support of Nizic, citing efforts to secure representation for the Greater Harbor area on the board and noting Nizic’s service as president of the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club. Councilmember Padilla supported the appointment in committee.
During the roll-call vote the clerk recorded “7 ayes, 4 nos.” The chair said the tally did not meet the eight-vote threshold required for that appointment and directed that the matter carry over to the next day’s agenda for further consideration.
Why it matters: The exchange underscores a local practice question about whether persons actively campaigning for public office should occupy appointed commissions and highlights council concern for continuity and focus in commission service. Supporters argued Nizic brings community-based experience; opponents said concurrent campaigning raises potential conflicts or appearance issues.
Next steps: The matter was continued to the council’s next agenda (the transcript notes it would carry over to the following day). The council also recorded that the vote count (7-4) fell short of the required eight votes for final confirmation.
