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Council reworks boards and commissions, creates Restorative Justice Commission
Summary
The council voted to consolidate several advisory bodies, convert the Urban Forest Task Force into a commission, reduce some commission sizes in phases, and establish a seven-member Restorative Justice Commission to develop program criteria and oversight.
The Santa Monica City Council advanced a broad overhaul of boards and commissions and approved creation of a seven-member Restorative Justice Commission to shape the city's restorative programs.
Staff recommended consolidating the Housing and Human Services commissions, converting the Urban Forest Task Force into a full commission, and phasing a reduction in the Disabilities Commission from 11 to seven members. The clerk also proposed appointment-process refinements (application deadlines and clarified liaison duties) and asked council to exempt some regional bodies from annual reporting requirements because they already present to council on other schedules.
The restorative-justice component was the most visible change. Council approved ordinance language to create a new seven-member commission tasked with developing program criteria, eligibility standards, and oversight mechanisms for restorative services; members will be Santa Monica residents who bring subject-matter expertise or lived experience of inequities. Council directed staff to begin recruitment after the ordinance takes effect and noted compensation/structure questions would be examined further.
Airport commission composition drew extensive public comment: pilots, airport businesses and aviation-education groups urged seats with aeronautical expertise; some speakers and council members called for prioritizing applicants with aviation experience. Staff said altering a charter commission's membership would require a ballot measure but that the council can prioritize aviation-qualified appointments under existing rules.
Council also debated an anti‑nepotism provision (previously proposed language disallowing certain close relatives from serving). After discussion, the council kept a restriction that prevents close family of council members from serving on certain bodies; staff will return with further guidance on application and potential future amendments.
The restorative justice commission will begin recruitment once the ordinance takes effect; staff and council members signaled interest in ensuring outreach to impacted communities and exploring possible stipends for participants where appropriate.
