City Council Agenda Report
May 31, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Salpy Kabaklian-Slentz, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: REPORT ON 2024 ACTIVITY OF CITY OF NORWALK'S ADVISORY BODIES Background:
In order to determine whether new advisory bodies should be added to the City’s roster, the City Council requested an overview of the current advisory bodies’ activity over calendar year 2024, focusing specifically on the vacancy rates of its members, the frequency of the meetings, and reasons for missed meetings.
Art in Public Places Committee
The Art in Public Places Committee is tasked with reviewing art projects submitted as part of the Art in Public Places Program to ensure their compliance with all City Council criteria. The staff liaison is Theresa Devoy. Its FY2025 budget is $301,500. It held three special meetings in 2024, as it meets only when there is business to discuss. It had three vacant seats out of 10 in January, and then four vacant seats for the remainder of the year.
Senior Commission
The Senior Commission promotes communication and cooperation among all patrons of the Senior Center, provides a forum which encourages discussion and resolution of concerns related to senor programs offered by the City, as well as issues and needs pertaining to older adults in the community. The staff liaison is Gabriela Regalado. Its FY2025 budget is $800. It met nine out of 12 months. It did not hold any meetings for the months of July, August and December. The meetings in July and August were cancelled for summer break, and the December meeting was cancelled due to the holidays. The Commission had one vacant seat out of five through October, and full staff for the rest of year.
Community Promotion Commission
The Community Promotion Commission promotes community and City activities, events, programs and services. The staff liaison is Levy Sun. Its budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is $20,200. The Community Promotion Commission met nearly every month for calendar year
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2024, missing only the months of February and December for lack of quorum. An additonal special meeting was held in December to make up for the lack of quorum meeting. There was one vacant seat in January, February through April they had a full staff, and one vacant seat for the remainder of the year.
Historical Heritage Commission
The Historical Heritage Commission was formed in 1959 with the intention of preserving Norwalk’s rich history. It is responsible for research and documentation of the City’s past.
Members of the Commission also serve as docents at Norwalk’s Hargitt House Museum. The staff liaison is Pati Escano. Its FY2025 budget is $1,000. It met nine out of 12 months. The November meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum and the May and December meetings were cancelled due to the holidays. For the first three months of 2024, the Commission had three vacant seats out of 10. They had four vacant seats April through August, and five seats remained vacant for the remainder of the year.
International Friendship Commission
The International Friendship Commission is meant to provide input on the City’s Sister City programs. The staff liaison is Amber Bulosan. It has a budget of $5,000. Unfortunately, it had no members from January 2024 through July 2024. One commissioner was added in August and another in October. It ended the year with three vacant seats out of five. It did not hold any meetings in 2024 due to lack of quorum.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission provides input regarding the programs, activities and issues relating to recreation, cultural arts and overall community events. The staff liaison is Allan Perdomo. Its FY2025 budget is $1,000. It met almost every month in 2024, cancelling only December for the holiday season. It had one vacant seat for the month of January, but was fully staffed for the rest of the year beginning in February.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission carries out functions mandated by State law. It considers a wide variety of matters to fulfill its functions, including conducting public hearings for all General Plan amendments, zone changes, conditional use permits, zone variances, and text amendments.
The Commission also reviews and acts on a number of other applications for development, review design criteria and standards on development proposals, and considers appeals of administrative decisions. Lastly, the members also form the Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Appeals Board, which meets annually. Its FY2025 budget is $19,750. It met six out of 12 months. For the months of February, April, May, August, and September, it did not meet due to lack of business. The December special meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum.
The Planning Commission had no vacant seats for the first five months of the year. In June, July and August the Planning Commission had one vacant seat. In September, the Commission returned to being fully staffed and remained that way for the rest of 2024.
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Public Safety Commission
The Public Safety Commission addresses public safety issues, including traffic safety, parking control, emergency preparedness, and the enforcement and enhancement of the Norwalk Municipal Code. It reviews concerns brought before it and makes specific recommendations for improvement to City Council. It also serves as a resource through which citizens can voice their public safety issues and have these concerns addressed. The staff liaison is Richard Newton. Its FY2025 budget is $1,000. The Commission met eight out of 12 months. It did not hold any meetings in the months of January, February, September, and October for a variety of reasons.
In January and September, it cancelled meetings due to the corresponding holidays. In February, they were unable to meet due to inclement weather. Lastly, the October meeting was cancelled due to the staff liaison being unavailable. The Public Safety Commission had one vacant seat from January to June, July they were fully staffed, and August through the remainder of the year there was one vacant seat out of 10.
Social Services Commission
The Social Services Commission provides input on social services-related issues and assists with promotion of the Social Services Department’s activities and special events. The staff liaison is Gabriela Regalado. Its FY2025 budget is $500. It met eight out of 12 months. In March, the meeting was cancelled due to the meeting location being needed as a voting center. In May, they lacked quorum. For June and July, they cancelled for summer break. The Commission had full staff January through June, only one vacant seat out of 10 in July and August, was fully staffed from September through November, and had two vacant seats in December.
Youth Commission
The Youth Commission is meant to provide the City Council with recommendations from the youth of Norwalk regarding City programs, special events, and ideas to help shape development opportunities with the City. The staff liaison is Rosie Lozoya. It has a budget of $2,000.
Unfortunately, the Youth Commission was vacant for all of 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
Advisory bodies receive their funding from the General Fund. In FY2025, the total funds budgeted for advisory body use was $352,750.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
N/A
Recommended Action:
Provided for City Council information
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Attachments:
Meeting and seat vacancy chart