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Council’s commission reorganization to fold coastal advisory duties into Parks & Recreation draws concern; commission forms subcommittee on shoreline strategy
Summary
The city’s ordinance to fold coastal advisory duties into an expanded Parks and Recreation Commission prompted commissioners to vote 4–3 to form a subcommittee to begin work on shoreline and strategic-implementation items.
The Parks and Recreation Commission received staff updates about a city council ordinance to combine the Coastal Advisory Committee and elements of the Human Affairs Committee into an expanded nine-member Parks and Recreation Commission, effective July 1. Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Wiley told the commission the reorganization will fold at least three coastal-experienced members into the commission and that the city clerk will open recruitment to fill vacancies.
Commissioners expressed concern about workload and meeting frequency. Several commissioners warned that adding coastal responsibilities — which include shoreline management, monitoring erosion and issues related to lifeguard tower placement, public access and emergency transport if beach width is lost — would be difficult to handle on an every-other-month meeting schedule. "I can't imagine how this commission would accomplish its various responsibilities meeting every other month," one commissioner said, noting the complexity of beach-related work.
After discussion the commission voted 4–3 to create a standing subcommittee to begin work on items in the city’s strategic implementation plan that relate to shoreline management, sea-level rise considerations and other coastal priorities. The motion asked the subcommittee to review the plan, identify immediate actions, and return a report to the full commission. Two commissioners immediately volunteered to serve and staff said they would take steps to convene the group; the expanded commission structure and the inclusion of coastal members take effect July 1.
Why it matters: the transfer of coastal advisory responsibilities to a larger Parks and Recreation Commission has budgetary and workload implications for city-appointed volunteers and staff. Commissioners asked staff to plan for training and robust staff reports on coastal items and requested that the city consider meeting frequency depending on workload.
Ending: the commission approved formation of a subcommittee that will prepare a report on strategic-implementation items related to coastal management and return recommendations to the full commission ahead of the July reorganization.
