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January 20, 2026
ITEM TITLE
City Boards and Commissions: Hear a Presentation and Provide Direction Regarding Board and Commission Opportunities for District-Based Representation
Report Number: 26-0047
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Clerk & City Attorney
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Hear a presentation and provide direction to staff , as appropriate, regarding opportunities fo r greater district-based representation on City boards and commissions.
SUMMARY
On December 16, 2025, City Council referred to the City Clerk, in coordination with the City Attorney, to review the City’s boards and commissions appointment framework and return with recommended amendments to support greater district -based representation, consistent with legal constraints, subject - matter expertise, and the City Charter. This item provides an overview of the current framework, clarifies key terms, and presents opportunities for City Council consideration and direction to staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Boards and commissions with potential recommended changes to their structure were notified of this City Council item and invited to provide written or in-person comments at this meeting.
DISCUSSION
Background
This item is based on a December 16, 2025 , City Council referral to the City Clerk, in coordination with the City Attorney, to review the City’s boards and commissions appointment framework and return with recommended amendments to support greater district -based representation, consistent with leg al constraints, subject-matter expertise, and the City Charter.
Key Terms
For purposes of this item:
“District-based appointment process” means the District Councilmember serves as the nominating authority for a seat, and the nomination is then brought fo rward for appointment by the full City Council.
“District residency requirement” means the person appointed to a seat must reside in the specified district at the time of their appointment and throughout their term.
Historically, when the district-based appointment process is used, the member is generally required to reside in the corresponding district, with limited exceptions based on a commission’s specific structure. For consistency, staff used that same approach when identifying preliminary opportunities.
In all cases, members are appointed by a majority vote of the City Council in accordance with the City Charter.
Nominations may come from the Mayor, a City Councilmember, or another authorized nominating authority, depending on the body and seat type.
Current Framework
The City’s boards and commissions use multiple appointment methods, including the general appointment process, the full City Council interview process, and a district-based appointment process for specific seats.
Some bodies also inclu de seats with required subject -matter qualifications or use Charter -mandated or specialized selection procedures.
Several commissions already include district-based seats (for example, representatives nominated by each district Councilmember where the member is required to reside in the corresponding district), while others are entirely at-large under the general appointment process.
Staff’s review of district residency among current voting members across boards and commissions indicates the following distribution: District 1 (37), District 2 (31), District 3 (29), and District 4 (12), which City Council may wish to consider as it discusses opportunities to expand district-based representation.
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Several commissions already include seats that use the d istrict-based appointment process and include a district residency requirement (e.g., Health, Wellness, and Aging; Human Relations; Measure A and Measure P Citizens’ Oversight Committees; and Parks and Recreation), while other boards and commissions do not.
This item focuses on the preliminary opportunities identified in this report. Boards and commissions not listed are not included in staff’s preliminary recommendations at this time. Staff welcomes any feedback on additional boards and commissions for future consideration.
Preliminary Opportunities for City Council Consideration Staff identified two categories of potential opportunities:
A. General appointment bodies with minimal seat-specific constraints:
For the following commissions/boards, four of the existing at-large seats could be redesignated (one per district) to use the district -based appointment process and include a district residency requirement for those seats:
Board of Library Trustees
Charter Review Commission
Sustainability Commission
Traffic Safety Commission
Veterans Advisory Commission
B. Additional opportunities (commissions with seat -specific qualifications and/or a different appointment process):
These bodies include seat -specific qualifi cations and/or alternative appointment methods . Two options are outlined for each.
Cultural Arts Commission: The Municipal Code requires that all nine voting members demonstrate competence, knowledge, and experience in cultural arts, and that at least six members be appointed as “qualified professionals” from among artists, educators, and those with professional qualifications and experience in arts and cultural disciplines. Two options are outlined below:
1. Four of the existing “qualified professional” seats could be redesignated (one per district) to use the district -based appointment process and include a district residency requirement, while maintaining the applicable qualified professional requirement.
2. The commission’s composition could be amended to include five “qualified professional” seats (instead of six), and the remaining four seats could be redesignated (one per district) to use the district -based appointment process and include a district reside ncy requirement. Those four seats would still be required to meet the general Cultural Arts P a g e | 4
Commission qualifications applicable to all voting members but would not be required to be “qualified professionals.”
Planning Commission: The Planning Commission has seven voting members appointed through the Full City Council Interview Process. The Municipal Code provides for four at -large seats and three “qualified professional” seats, which should be filled by individuals sensitive to design considerations and interested in townscape matters, including architects, landscape architects, land planners, urban planners, civil engineers, and other design professionals with suitable experience. City Council may already consider geographic diversity, including district residency, when making appointments under the current framework; however, there are no formal district representation requirements. Two options are outlined below:
1. Optional geographic guidance could be added to the Planning Commission section of the Municipal Code (e.g., encouraging geographic diversity and noting that district residency may be considered as a factor), while preserving flexibility to appoint the most qualified applicants citywide and without adding a district residency requirement.
2. The four at-large seats could be redesignated (one per district) to include a district residency requirement, while maintaining the Full City Council Interview Process for all appointments.
Transition and Continuity
If changes are made to seat designations, currently seated members would continue serving through the end of their current terms (i.e., no member would be removed mid-term). When terms expire, individuals seeking reappointment would need to qualify for the seat as structured at that time, including any applicable district residency requirement. The Municipal Code also establishes the process for the City Clerk’s Office to recommend seat redesignations to City Council if seat requirements are changed.
Requested City Council Direction / Next Steps
Staff seeks City Council direction on the following:
1. Scope: Which boards/commissions, if any, City Council would like staff to move forward with drafting Municipal Code amendments for.
2. Interim appointments: While staff prepares any proposed amendments, whether City Council wishes to continue processing appointments as usual or hold appointments for boards/commissions that may be affected by potential amendments.
Following City Council direction, the City Clerk, in coordination with the City Attorney, will pre pare an ordinance implementing any changes to the boards and commissions appointment framework. If seat designations or qualifications are modified, the City Clerk’s Office will return to City Council with a subsequent item as provided in the Municipal Code to redesignate seats for affected commissions.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff have reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and have determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Councilmembers do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff are not independently aware and have not been informed by any City Councilmember of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact associated with receiving the presentation and providing direction to staff.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
No ongoing fiscal impact associated with receiving the presentation and providing direction to staff. Any future fiscal impacts, if any, would be evaluated if City Council directs subsequent amendments requiring additional resources.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Boards and Commissions: Seat Appointments and Qualifications
2. Boards and Commissions Voting Members by District
Staff Contact: Kerry Bigelow, City Clerk; Marco Verdugo, City Attorney