Administrative
Report
N.4., File # 22-5127 Meeting Date: 11/15/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ADDITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION’S SCOPE OF DUTIES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the strategic planning process, the City Council requested that staff research and report on options to provide a policy review and advisory mechanism for environmental issues through the creation of a new Commission, or the addition of these responsibilities to an existing body. After evaluating multiple jurisdictions and evaluating the workload of the City’s existing Boards and Commissions, staff recommends adding environmental advisory responsibilities to the scope of duties of the Public Works Commission. A presentation on this recommendation and the results of the evaluation of environmental advisory responsibilities in other jurisdictions will be provided at the meeting.
BACKGROUND
In order to address current and future environmental policy concerns, the City Council requested staff report on options for including environmental advisory functionality in an existing Board or Commission, or establish a new environmental advisory body.
In order to determine the best approach, staff evaluated a number of factors. These included the number of Boards and Commissions in comparable cities, the current assignments for Redondo Beach Boards and Commissions, and the ability of the City calendar to accommodate a new advisory body. Staff found that the City has a healthy number of Boards and Commissions and that there is very little room on the existing City calendar to accommodate another regular evening meeting. A new advisory body could strain staff resources, and there would be little flexibility in scheduling its meetings.
From a shared scope and workload perspective, the Planning Commission and the Public Works Commission are both well suited to assume environmental advisory responsibilities. After evaluating commission agenda volume since 2020, staff found that there is reasonable bandwidth for the Public Works Commission to accommodate the additional functionality, while the Planning Commission’s workload has been consistently full. A number of regular Planning Commission meetings have stretched past midnight and additional special meetings have been added to allow them to address their workload. For these reasons, staff recommends adding environmental advisory responsibilities to the Public Works Commission.
N.4., File # 22-5127 Meeting Date: 11/15/2022
The addition has the potential to enhance the substance of existing Commission appointments and would build naturally upon the Public Works Commission’s existing efforts to evaluate hazardous and solid waste disposal, recycling and organic programs, along with watershed management and water conservation.
Staff received a letter of support for adding environmental advisory duties to the Public Works Commission from Chair John M. Simpson on August 24, 2022 as part of the City’s strategic planning process. Staff also formally presented this recommendation to the to the Public Works Commission on October 24, 2022 and the Commission unanimously supported the addition of these duties.
While the existing mandate for the Public Works Commission would allow the body to assume these duties immediately, Council can direct staff to pursue an Ordinance amending the Redondo Beach Municipal Code to formally revise the name of the Public Works Commission, and its official duties, to specifically include environmental advisory responsibilities.
COORDINATION
This report was created by the City Manager’s Office in coordination with the Public Works Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Admin Report - Public Works Commission, October, 24, 2022 · Letter of Support, August 24, 2022
· Ord - #1996-2779, August 6, 1996