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Council approves first reading of ordinance to restructure advisory bodies; adds requirement for more coastal expertise
Summary
Council gave first reading to an ordinance that consolidates the Coastal Advisory and Human Affairs committees into existing or new advisory bodies, and amended Exhibit A to require three members with coastal technical experience on the merged Beaches, Parks & Recreation committee. The first reading passed unanimously.
The San Clemente City Council gave first reading to an ordinance that reorganizes several city advisory bodies, incorporating the Coastal Advisory Committee and Human Affairs Committee into existing committees and updating membership criteria.
Community Development Director Adam Matamian and Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Wiley briefed the council on the proposed changes, which stem from prior council direction. The ordinance amends multiple municipal code sections governing the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission; Coastal Advisory Committee; Human Affairs Committee; Arts & Culture Committee; and the Public Safety Committee.
Council Member Loeffler moved to adopt staff recommendation Option 1 and to modify Exhibit A so that at least three members of the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission have technical experience in coastal issues. The motion was seconded and, after brief discussion about filling current vacancies and allowing existing members to finish their terms, the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinances first reading.
Key changes and council direction
- Consolidation: The ordinance dissolves the standalone Coastal Advisory Committee and incorporates its duties and members into Beaches, Parks & Recreation (BP&R), while also folding Human Affairs duties into a Community Safety and Welfare or similar committee. Staff explained that seated members whose terms do not expire immediately would have the opportunity to complete their terms and reapply to the new or revised bodies.
- Coastal expertise: Council directed staff to adjust Exhibit A to require three members with technical coastal experience on the BP&R panel; previous language required at least two.
- Seat counts and vacancies: Staff will return with a report at the next meeting clarifying which seats will be advertised and options for transferring current members into new bodies. City Clerk Laura Campanolo presented options for how to transition incumbents and fill vacancies, including allowing incumbents to complete existing terms and advertising open seats.
Public comment and community input
Public speakers including Susie Whitelaw, Amanda Quintanilla and Susan Ambrose urged the council to retain coastal expertise and to preserve continuity for committees addressing shoreline and water-quality issues. Several speakers said the Coastal Advisory Committees work is just beginning to produce results and urged that those subject-matter experts remain engaged.
Next steps
The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at a future council meeting. Staff will also prepare a follow-up report that enumerates vacancies and a timeline for advertising seats and will implement the Exhibit A change requiring three coastal-knowledgeable members.
