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Council introduces ordinance to reorganize city advisory committees amid public concerns over appointments
Summary
Council held a robust discussion and introduced a first-reading ordinance to standardize committee membership, terms and appointment processes; some residents urged clearer, uniform selection rules and warned against favoritism. The council approved the first reading 5–0 and staff will return with implementing resolutions and bylaws.
La Verne — The City Council introduced (first reading) an ordinance Monday that would reorganize and standardize how advisory committees, commissions and boards are formed, appointed and governed. The measure passed on first reading 5–0 amid public concerns about appointment transparency.
City management presented the ordinance as a modernization effort to bring consistent rules for committee size, qualifications, application processes, terms, chair/vice-chair selection, conflict-of-interest rules and council liaisons. City Manager Domar told the council that the proposal preserves any legally mandated duties (for example those tied to Measure LV or other state-mandated bodies) while allowing many committees to be reorganized into clearer, uniform structures.
During public comment several residents urged a fully open, uniform selection and interview process. One commenter warned that the proposed direct-appointment language could appear to allow council members to appoint friends without transparent competition: "The selection process should be uniform," a resident said, adding the approach could look "a little shady" and expose the city to litigation. Staff and several council members responded that applications will be required, notices will be posted, and that direct appointments would be used alongside an application pool; staff noted the council retains removal authority by majority vote.
Council action and next steps: The council voted to introduce and waive further reading of the ordinance (first reading) and directed staff to return with resolutions establishing each commission’s scope, bylaws where needed, and an advertised appointment schedule. A second reading and adoption is scheduled for May 5 with subsequent resolutions and appointment notices to follow.
Why it matters: The ordinance changes how residents apply for and are selected to civic advisory roles; it affects long-standing boards and newly proposed commissions (including a Parks & Recreation Commission and a broadened Finance Commission). Several residents stressed that clear, uniform appointment rules will be critical to maintain public trust.
