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Soledad council moves to dissolve GPAC, direct staff to form a resident‑led steering committee
Summary
Council voted to dissolve the Brown Act‑governed GPAC and direct staff to recruit and form a 9–15 member steering committee (two‑thirds residents) to advise the general plan process, with targeted outreach and an application/recruitment process for representatives from new districts and stakeholder groups.
On Sept. 18 the Soledad City Council instructed staff to dissolve the existing General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and to pursue a staff‑led steering committee to support the City's general‑plan update process.
City staff told the council that the GPAC's formal Brown Act structure constrained flexible community engagement, contributed to low attendance for several meetings and made bilingual participation difficult for some residents. Staff proposed a steering committee of 9–15 members, at least two‑thirds of whom would be residents, with targeted recruitment to fill gaps by district and by stakeholder type (for example, faith groups, health care, ag‑worker representation and technical transportation partners).
Council discussion focused on fairness and representation: members asked that existing GPAC participants be invited to reapply, that a transparent application process be established, that criteria ensure district representation and that staff actively recruit groups that have been underrepresented. Staff said membership would be primarily staff‑appointed but that council recommendations would be solicited to ensure district balance.
Council then approved a motion to consider and implement the proposed changes and to dissolve the existing GPAC; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff will return with a recruitment plan, application materials and a proposed membership list for council review.
