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Yucaipa commissioners push to preserve Trails & Open Space amid council review of committees
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Summary
City staff briefed the Parks & Recreation Commission on a City Council review of commissions and committees; commissioners urged the council to preserve long-standing bodies such as the Trails & Open Space Committee and weigh staff-time impacts before consolidating groups.
Staff presented Item 2, a City Council referral to review the city’s advisory commissions and standing committees and how the council wants to allocate appointments and budgets. Staff said the item was brought forward by staff and will go before the council at Monday’s meeting; staff also said councilmembers requested history, budgets and staff-time estimates for committees.
"This item was brought forward by staff," the presenter said, explaining that the council examines committee appointments annually and may reassign or dissolve ad hoc groups. Commissioners pressed staff on whether the review could affect the commission’s duties, the allocation of budgets and trail maintenance responsibilities.
Commissioner Allen argued that some committees perform distinct work and should not be absorbed. "The Parks and Recreation Commission has a way different focus and purpose than Trails & Open Space does," Allen said, urging the council to avoid folding well-established committees into a single body.
Staff responded that the council must balance limited staff resources and vacancies, and that converting infrequent-standing committees into ad hoc groups could reduce required agenda postings, minutes and staff time. Deputy Mayor Bieber and Council Member Woolsey, staff said, asked specifically for the history of the Trails & Open Space Committee and for breakdowns of committee budgets and staff time.
Commissioners also discussed options such as expanding the commission to a larger odd-numbered body or structuring subcommittees to avoid Brown Act requirements when a quorum is not present. No formal action was taken by the commission; staff will include the requested materials in the packet for the council meeting.
