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Council-directed study on boards and commissions prompts calls for commissioner feedback; consultant recommended options including possible consolidation
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a consultant assessment of Vallejos boards and commissions that included a recommendation (listed in the report) to eliminate the Sister City Commission; City Council directed staff to hold focus groups and requested written input from commissions, with results to be delivered to Council in January 2026.
Commissioners discussed a consultants final report Oct. 20 that evaluated Vallejos boards, commissions and committees and identified possible consolidations to reduce overlap. The report included a recommendation suggesting elimination of certain commissions, including the Sister City Commission; commissioners emphasized they had not been interviewed by the consultant and asked for an opportunity to provide direct feedback.
City Councils direction, relayed at the meeting, was to have staff and the consultant hold two to three focus groups (open to all commissioners), to agendize discussion of the report at each board and commission, and to deliver the engagement results to Council in January 2026. Commissioners were urged to submit written testimony explaining the value of their commission and the work they do.
City staff recommended that commissioners prepare formal statements for the Council packet and said staff would ensure consultants and Council receive commissioner feedback. The chair reiterated that nothing in the consultants recommendation would be implemented without Council action and that the council had specifically requested commission input before making any decision.
Commissioners discussed outreach steps including asking commissioners and the association to collect and submit letters and historical examples of programming and exchanges that demonstrate the commissions value. City staff said they would forward the consultants guidelines and requested commissioners report back with recommendations and testimony to be included in the Council study session materials.
