REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Amendments to Council Policy 7.2.19 (Boards and Commissions) as Recommended by the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Boards and Commissions
Report
BACKGROUND
On November 18, 2025, the City Council held a joint study session with Board and Commission (B/C) Chairs and Vice Chairs (RTC No. 25-0196) regarding B/C effectiveness, and invited input from B/C members to the City Council. The Chairs and Vice Chairs along with City Council provided feedback regarding the following topics:
- Youth seats on Charter based and non-Charter Boards/Commissions
- Setting an overall meeting absence minimum
- Adding an excused absence category for religious holidays/observations
- Adjusting the timing and scope of future joint study sessions
- Scope of each board/commission
- Level of detail included in board/commission meeting minutes
- Adding board/commission member bios to the City’s website
- Creating a toolkit for board/commission community engagement
On December 9, 2025, Council Policy 7.2.19 (Boards and Commissions) was updated to expand the role of a Council subcommittee beyond consideration of bylaw amendments and replace a Standing Committee with an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee (RTC No. 25-1114). In May 2026, Mayor Larry Klein announced that Mayor Larry Klein, Councilmember Murali Srinivasan, and Councilmember Charlsie Chang would form an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Boards and Commissions to review Council Policy 7.2.19 and topics related to Boards and Commissions (RTC No. 26-0405). The ad hoc advisory committee met three times; their recommended revisions to Council Policy 7.2.19 are included in this report.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.2.19, Boards and Commissions
Civil Service Rules and Regulations
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organ...
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