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Council reviews 2025 boards-and-commissions demographic survey; directs reapplication for expiring seats
Summary
The city presented results of a 2025 demographic survey of appointed boards and commissions; councilors directed staff to require reapplication for expiring seats and asked staff to expand outreach, collect additional applicant data, and consider adding questions on sexual orientation in future surveys.
City staff presented the results of the 2025 demographics survey for San Mateo’s appointed boards and commissions at the March 3 council meeting and sought council feedback on outreach and future recruitment strategies.
Deputy City Clerk Chantal Eaton and City Clerk Martin McTaggart summarized findings from 46 responses out of 47 commissioners: the average length of residency rose to about 24.5 years; the largest age cohort remained 65 and older; people of color were underrepresented compared with city population; renters were underrepresented; and a majority of commissioners reported higher household incomes. Eaton and McTaggart noted improvements in applicant numbers for some commissions after a 2024 outreach plan, while some commissions — notably sustainability and infrastructure — saw declines in applicants.
Council discussed outreach strategies to expand participation from equity-priority areas and younger residents. Council members suggested targeted outreach through high schools, PTAs, local neighborhood associations, faith-based groups, and digital advertising (including geo‑fenced streaming and social platforms). Staff described translation and language‑access steps already taken and cautioned that full live-interpretation services across all meetings would require a larger budget and a citywide translation policy to implement broadly.
On council direction: members agreed that commissioners whose terms expire this year should be required to reapply and reinterview rather than receive automatic reappointment. Council also asked staff to incorporate demographic questions into the applicant process so that the city can better track outreach outcomes, and several council members supported adding a question about sexual orientation in future voluntary surveys for commissioners.
Staff said they will expand bilingual recruitment materials, run a “spotlight” video series of current commissioners, continue partnerships with community organizations, and explore targeted digital outreach. The council discussed potential incentives (including the legal and charter limits on compensation) and asked staff to evaluate options such as reimbursing expenses necessary to attend meetings.
No ordinance or budget action was taken; staff will return with recruitment materials and follow-up items as part of ongoing boards-and-commissions outreach.
