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Lakewood Advisory Commission presents annual report and reimagining recommendations to council
Summary
The Lakewood Advisory Commission (LAC) presented its 2024 annual report and a 'reimagining' proposal to city council on May 12, recommending structural changes, improved recruitment and stronger alignment with council goals and the comprehensive plan.
The Lakewood Advisory Commission presented its annual report and a reimagining proposal to the City Council on May 12, urging changes to the commission’s structure, recruitment and public engagement to increase effectiveness.
Melissa Colesman, chair of the Lakewood Advisory Commission, and Glenn Wedock, vice chair, told council the commission currently has 20 members and four subcommittees (civic awareness, diversity, neighborhoods and sustainability). They said the LAC wants flexibility to create ad hoc or topic‑specific groups for issues that do not fit neatly within the four subcommittee headings.
“We typically provide a recorded presentation prior to the meeting,” Colesman told council. She said the LAC has added quality‑assurance measures such as requiring the full commission to approve project ideas before submission to council and strengthening its code of ethics to address misinformation.
Wedock summarized the LAC’s reimagining recommendations: align the commission’s work more closely with council goals and the city’s comprehensive plan; add website content and publish LAC reports online to aid recruitment; improve new‑member orientation; and conduct exit interviews to learn why members leave and retain institutional knowledge.
Council response and next steps: council members thanked the LAC for its work and asked clarifying questions about ad hoc committees and recruitment. Mayor Pro Tem Sharizai and Councilor Ryan both said ad hoc groups could provide timely support for narrowly scoped council initiatives without requiring formal, time‑consuming council action. Councilors urged the LAC and staff to publish reports and clearer application materials on LakewoodSpeaks to boost recruitment and clarify expectations for prospective members.
The council noted the LAC’s recommendations will inform broader discussions about potential new boards or commissions and ad hoc structures during the council’s summer work on overall goals and commissions.
