TO:City Council
FROM:Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE:August 25, 2026
SUBJECT: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee Appointment
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the re-appointment of Wilfred Garand to serve as the City’s representative to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending September 2028.
2. Find that this action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time for costs associated with coordinating interviews, appointments, and preparing support materials, is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) was established by the California State Legislature in 1980. Through direct action, alliances, partnerships, and joint powers authorities, the Conservancy's mission is to strategically acquire, preserve, protect, restore, and enhance natural lands in Southern California to form an interlinking system of urban, rural and river parks, open space, trails, and wildlife habitats that are easily accessible to the general public.
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee (SMMCAC) is a 26-person committee comprised of 17 representatives of cities and counties within or near the Santa Monica Mountains, six public members, and three representatives from regional park districts within the Santa Monica Mountains.
The SMMCAC provides input to the Board of Directors of the SMMC on issues related to open space preservation and acquisition.
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee Appointment August 25, 2026
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The SMMCAC meets jointly with the SMMC Board of Directors. The basic duty of a SMMCAC member is to deliberate and vote on each item presented to the Advisory Committee and pass that recommendation on to the Conservancy Board during the joint meeting. When there is an item on the SMMCAC agenda that is relevant to COSCA or the City, the COSCA Administrator and City staff coordinate with the City’s representative to the SMMCAC to discuss how the City/COSCA should be represented in discussions.
City Council appoints one resident to represent the City on the SMMCAC for a two- year term.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The application period for one scheduled vacancy on the SMMCAC opened on May 12, 2026, and a press release was issued the same day. The application period closed on June 11, 2026. At the time of closure, the only application received was from the incumbent representative, Wilfred Garand. Upon consultation with the City Clerk Department, staff determined that reopening the recruitment process would be unlikely to result in the identification of any additional qualified candidates.
Mr. Garand dutifully attended SMMCAC meetings during his current term and remained in communication with staff. After careful consideration it is recommended that Wilfred Garand be re-appointed to serve as the City’s representative to the SMMCAC. The recommended appointment application is attached (Attachment #1).
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
E. Complete ring of open space around the City; Protect and preserve ridgelines, natural habitat, and designated open space areas.
H. Participate in public-private and multi-jurisdictional opportunities to ensure residents have access to high levels of parks, recreation, education and leisure programs and services.
PREPARED BY: Brian Stark, COSCA Administrator
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – SMMCAC Application
CMO: 110-20\KM\H:COMMON\Council Items\2026 Staff Reports\08252026\08252026 SMMCAC Appt Staff Report.docx