CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. Item No.
Item No.
Item No.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF COMMISSION FUNCTIONS, AND CONSIDERATION OF CONSOLIDATING EDUCATION COMMISSION WITH LIBRARY COMMISSION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION with TRAFFIC COMMISSION.
Meeting Date: January 28, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
To review the current advisory board system and consider consolidating select commissions to better align their functions with the City’s current needs.
Proposed Consolidations:
A. Consolidation of the Education and Library Commissions B. Consolidation of the Traffic and Community Services Commissions DISCUSSION:
The City of Commerce currently has the following commissions:
Planning Commission
Traffic Commission
Community Services Commission
Library Commission
Education Commission
Youth Advisory Commission
Senior Citizens Commission
Parks and Recreation Commission
Commission on Disabilities and Opportunities
And the following committees:
Measure AA Advisory Committee
Reagent Steering Committee
Certain commissions overlap in their focus areas, resulting in redundant discussions, repetitive presentations, and added staff time, often with overtime costs. Streamlining some of these commissions is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce staff resources required for meeting preparation, orientation, and logistical support.
A. Education and Library Commission Consolidation
The Library Commission, established in 1964, and the Education Commission, created in 2000, both address the educational needs of residents through library resources and programming. Libraries traditionally serve as centers of information and education, and in recent years, the Commerce Library has expanded services that support educational development in the community. The overlapping scope of these commissions has led to joint meetings agreed by all member of the Library and Education Commissions, but logistical challenges and quorum issues have arisen due to the combined 10-member body.
Recommendation:
Merge the Library and Education Commissions into a single “Library and Education Commission.” This consolidation will optimize resources, reduce staff workload, and improve coordination. Initially, the combined commission would maintain 7 members, with plans to gradually reduce the membership to 5 through attrition. Currently there are four vacancies on these commissions.
B. Traffic and Community Services Commission Consolidation The Traffic Commission, one of the City’s original commissions (1961), oversees traffic regulations and makes recommendations for traffic improvements. The Community Services Commission, initially established as the Community Safety Advisory Committee in 1978 and renamed over the years, addresses public safety policies.
A review of the past year’s agenda items reveals considerable overlap, particularly regarding public safety updates and enforcement initiatives. Both commissions receive regular updates from Public Safety Staff and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, creating duplication of efforts and overlapping discussions.
Community Services Commission agenda items for the past year:
October 21, 2024, and June 17, 2024 – Public Safety Update and LA County Sheriff’s Department update (these two items are on each agenda for Community Services and Traffic Commission).
September 19, 2024, welcoming new commissioner
Catalytic Converter Shield Program update
August 19, 2024 National Night Out Recap
Camera Trailer Program
Pink Patch Program information
July 22, 2024 Fireworks Enforcement recap
May 20, 2024 Neighborhood Watch Meeting Update
Village Survey update
April 15, 2024 Neighborhood watch update
March 18, 2024 Parking Enforcement Update
Neighborhood Watch update
February 26, 2024 & January 22, 2024 – Neighborhood Watch Update Traffic Commission :
In 2024, five meetings of the Traffic Commission were canceled for lack of items.
Recommendation:
Consolidate the Traffic and Community Services Commissions into a “Traffic and Public Safety Commission,” with expanded powers and duties to encompass both traffic and public safety issues. Agendas for this new commission would incorporate input from both traffic (Public Works) and public safety staff. Initially, the commission would function with 10 members, with plans to reduce to 5 members over time.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended action can be carried out without additional impact on the current operating budget and is anticipated to realize a cost savings that will increase over time.
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager Prepared by Lena Shumway, Administrative Services Director and City Clerk