Baldwin Park housing commission elects officers and adopts bylaws with privacy amendment

The Baldwin Park Housing Commission elected officers and approved its governing bylaws during a May 8, 2025 regular meeting at Baldwin Park City Hall Council Chambers.

The commission elected a chair and a vice chair and then proceeded to review a full reading of the commission bylaws. After discussion, the commission voted to adopt the bylaws as presented with one immediate amendment: removing a requirement that members of the public provide their address when speaking during public testimony. The commission also directed staff to research how prior term lengths were assigned and report back at the next meeting.

The adopted bylaws, as read at the meeting, set qualifications and membership rules for the housing commission, including: members must be residents of the city at appointment and during their terms; two member positions (office numbers 6 and 7) must be tenant commissioners (with office 7 reserved for a tenant over 62 if tenants of that age exist); the commission is comprised of seven members; terms and staggered term language are specified; and members serve at the pleasure of the city council. The bylaws specify that members receive $50 per meeting and may be reimbursed for preapproved expenses. They also state the commission may not obligate the city financially beyond council appropriations and must follow the Ralph M. Brown Act and relevant sections of the Baldwin Park municipal code for public meetings.

Procedural and meeting rules adopted include holding regular meetings on the first Thursday quarterly at 4 p.m. in the City Council chambers unless otherwise determined; a quorum is a majority (not less than four members); votes shall be recorded in the minutes with each member—s vote shown; and Robert—s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall be used as a guide. The bylaws reiterate public hearing procedures, testimony order and limits, and decorum rules; the bylaws reference a three-minute maximum for public comment consistent with Government Code 54954.2 as read aloud at the meeting.

During the bylaws discussion commissioners raised a privacy concern about requiring speakers to state an address; the commission accepted removing the address requirement, leaving name disclosure as the record practice. Commissioners also noted that the roster and term lengths on the city website appeared inconsistent with municipal code language and asked staff to research appointment history and return with documentation so the commission can finalize term assignments at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chair: motion passed (recorded motion outcome: approved). Vote tally: unanimous of members present. - Election of vice chair: motion passed (recorded motion outcome: approved). Vote tally: unanimous of members present. - Motion to adopt bylaws as presented, with amendment removing the requirement that public commenters provide their address, and to direct staff to research and report on historical term assignments: motion passed unanimously.

The commission concluded its business and adjourned at about 4:35 p.m. Staff indicated the final, adopted bylaws and meeting minutes will be posted and that the staff research on term assignments will be presented at the next scheduled meeting.