Measure U commissioners and public push back after council staff suggests cutting commission meetings to five a year

At the May 18 meeting of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee, staff outlined a Council‑directed option to limit city commissions to a maximum of five meetings per year to save roughly $30,000–$35,000 in stipends, clerk overtime and related costs.

Commissioners responded strongly. Vice Chair McGhee said it “amazes me that of all the things that they could look to potentially cut commissions would be it,” arguing that reducing meetings would censor community voices that the commission represents. Commissioner Smith warned the change would reduce transparency: “The only way that this commission would be able to get its work done is to assign more work to committees that don't meet in the public eye. Deals will be cut,” he said.

Staff told the commission the savings estimate is about $35,000 and that reductions would come from stipends, clerk overtime and organizational efficiencies. Commissioners pressed staff for detail on composition and likely impact; several said they would speak at City Council's May 19 5 p.m. hearing and encouraged colleagues to do the same.

Public commenter Lambert Davis criticized the broader process and called the proposed reductions an example of hamstringing commissions, repeating concerns about participatory budgeting and alleging the process disadvantaged Black and Latino residents during past participatory budgeting events.

Staff noted that the commission cannot formally adopt a position on this item during the meeting because it was not agendized for that purpose; commissioners were advised they may contact councilmembers individually or attend tomorrow's council hearing to express their views. The matter will be decided by City Council; staff recommended commissioners communicate their perspectives to Council, and the City Council discussion is scheduled for May 19 at 5 p.m.

No formal commission vote was taken at the May 18 meeting.