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Council converts Beach Preservation Commission into Environmental Sustainability Commission
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Summary
The council adopted a resolution to transition the Beach Preservation Commission into an Environmental Sustainability Commission with an expanded remit that includes shoreline preservation, natural resources, open space and climate adaptation; the change keeps a seven-member structure and sets a transition schedule.
The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution transitioning the Beach Preservation Commission into a new Environmental Sustainability Commission, expanding the advisory body’s responsibilities beyond shoreline issues to include natural resources, open space and climate adaptation.
Why it matters: The renamed commission will combine beach preservation expertise with broader sustainability and open-space policy work and will advise the council on climate adaptation, preservation of natural resources and policies to discourage reductions in required open space.
Environmental Sustainability Director Jamie Wood presented the item. Staff recommended retaining the current seven-member composition, adjusting appointment timing to align commissioners’ terms with elected officials, and transitioning existing commissioners who wish to continue to the new commission until their terms expire. Staff proposed a schedule in which June would be the final Beach Preservation Commission meeting, an ordinance amending the municipal code would be introduced and adopted in June, and the first Environmental Sustainability Commission meeting would occur August 7, 2025.
Staff said the proposed commission would be appointed by three mayoral appointees and one appointee from each council district (for a total of seven) and that the commission’s work plan would include review of open-space development standards and a policy discouraging exemptions that reduce required open space.
Public commenters supported the change. Linda Daniels (Sierra Club member) and Paige Decino urged quick implementation and broad outreach; Decino suggested opening slots to new applicants to allow the council to consider all interested candidates when the new commission forms.
Ending: The council adopted the resolution unanimously; staff will return with ordinance language and a work plan, and the commission will begin meeting under its new name in August.
