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City Council Confirms Michael Kesten to Board of Water and Power Commissioners
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council voted to confirm Michael Kesten to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners after a divided but substantive discussion about the council’s role in vetting mayoral appointees.
The Los Angeles City Council confirmed Michael Kesten to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners on July 26, 2000, voting 13-0 to approve his nomination. The vote came after extended debate among council members over whether to delay confirmations of several commission nominees in light of changes to the city charter that change the council’s role in appointments.
Council members spoke at length about the balance between doing due diligence on nominees and avoiding delays that would deprive city agencies of experienced commissioners. Several members praised Kesten’s background in water policy and related public-service work; others said the council should adopt a more systematic confirmation process for future nominees now that confirmation is the council’s primary means of influence under the revised charter. After debate, the council split the procedural question: members agreed to confirm Kesten individually while voting separately on whether to continue consideration of other nominees.
Action and outcome: the council confirmed Michael Kesten (item 6). The council then voted on a separate motion to continue several other commission appointments for one week (see related article on continuances). Kesten was present and indicated he remained willing to serve.
Why it matters: The Board of Water and Power Commissioners oversees the Department of Water and Power, the city utility whose policies affect rates and service for millions of Los Angeles residents. Council members said they want to exercise increased scrutiny of appointments under the revised city charter, because confirmation is the council’s primary point of review for commissioners.
Speakers and positions: Council members who spoke on the record included Ruth Galanter (presiding), Ridley-Thomas (moved a continuance), Councilman Wax (spoke in support of Kesten), Councilwoman Goldberg (supported more rigorous vetting going forward), and Councilman Hernandez (said he planned to vote to confirm Kesten while supporting a continuance for other nominees). The nominee, Michael Kesten, answered a councilmember’s question about local issues such as Chatsworth Reservoir preservation and said he would work with affected communities.
Next steps: Kesten will assume the duties of a DWP commissioner as provided by the commission appointment process. The council asked members to use the additional time provided by the charter deadlines to review future nominees more closely.
