Hayward City Council approves overhaul of city commissions, creates Clean and Green Commission

The Hayward City Council on March 4, 2025, voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of a council ad hoc committee and introduced an ordinance to amend the Hayward Municipal Code that would standardize commission procedures, shorten the size of the Community Services Commission and formally create a Clean and Green Commission.

The action, presented by Assistant City Manager Youngblood, responds to an April 2024 work session and a months-long ad hoc review intended "to ensure operational efficiency, align the commissions with the city council's priorities and to clarify roles and responsibilities," Youngblood said. The council moved to accept the report and introduce the ordinance; the motion was made by Council Member Roach and seconded by Council Member Bonilla.

Council members and staff framed the package as administrative and organizational rather than a change in program policy. Key decisions in the package include reducing the Community Services Commission's membership from 17 to 11 to focus the commission's advisory role on…