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Upland council tables changes to advisory committees, asks staff to return with options
Summary
After a lengthy debate over adding residents to finance oversight or creating a standalone budget review committee, the Upland City Council tabled the item and directed staff to return with recommended options or a workshop for further public review.
The Upland City Council on Nov. 25 debated whether to restructure several advisory committees and whether to add resident representation to oversight of the city budget, then voted to table the matter and directed staff to return with a recommendation or a workshop.
The discussion began when staff presented Item 13A, asking the council to consider changes to city committees and whether to consolidate, eliminate or expand committee membership. The mayor said he favored creating a structure that would allow residents more input on the budget process; Council Member Mauss and others argued either to add residents to an existing finance committee or to create a separate, resident-led budget review committee to increase transparency.
Supporters said a resident committee could provide “a set of eyes” outside the council and encourage public understanding of city finances. As Council Member Mauss put it, the independent group could review materials and make recommendations without direct council influence. Other councilmembers warned that council members present at a committee meeting could unintentionally influence participants and that the Brown Act creates procedural constraints for standing committees.
City Manager (staff) said quarterly meetings would likely be manageable for staff workload; the city attorney reminded the council that a standing committee with appointed members would be subject to Brown Act requirements, including a chair, an agenda and public noticing.
After discussing several options — adding residents onto the finance committee, combining economic development and finance, or creating a standalone budget-review committee with five residents and two council liaisons — the council agreed to table the item. The mayor directed staff to return with either a workshop format or a set of recommended approaches that lay out staffing impacts, expected costs and proposed appointment procedures.
There was no formal vote on a specific restructuring plan; the council’s direction was to have staff prepare options for review and possible formal action at a later meeting.
The council moved on to other agenda items; staff will return with refined proposals and materials for public review, with the council discussing next steps ahead of appointments scheduled early next year.
