Council ratifies mayoral committee appointments; business-revitalization pick passes over two 'no' votes

The Lawndale City Council reviewed its roster of ad hoc subcommittees and standing committees at its Jan. 5 meeting and recommended several personnel adjustments while reaffirming the city’s practice that the mayor appoints committee members with council input.

Assistant City Clerk Yvette Palomo said staff was asking the council to review the current appointment list and to identify any subcommittees that could be dissolved. During discussion, councilmembers volunteered for or stepped down from several panels. Councilmember Bernadette Suarez said she would step down from the budget ad hoc committee and Frank Telavier volunteered to serve; Shirley Cuevas asked to join the Hispanic Heritage festival planning committee.

City Attorney counsel reminded the council of the Brown Act constraint that a standing or ad hoc committee should top out at two members to avoid forming a quorum: "By Brown Act, a standing committee or ad hoc has to top out at 2," the city attorney said. The attorney also noted that in a city with a directly elected mayor the mayor technically has appointment power but Lawndale’s practice has been to follow council recommendations.

The council agreed to carry forward most committee appointments by unanimous consent and took a separate vote on the business-revitalization ad hoc subcommittee to ratify the mayor’s appointment. Pat Kearney made the motion and the clerk announced the motion passed with Councilmember Bernadette Suarez and Mayor Pro Tem Shirley Cuevas voting no.

Councilmembers discussed next steps for the selection of a new city manager during the meeting and emphasized seeking a candidate who is responsive to residents and staff.