The Santa Monica City Council will consider a sweeping restructuring of the city's advisory boards and commissions Tuesday, including consolidating three bodies into one and removing council liaisons to prevent undue influence.
The proposals, detailed in a staff report, represent the most significant changes to the city's governance structure since a 2021 restructuring. The recommendations aim to streamline processes, reduce administrative burden and eliminate redundancies among the city's 20 boards and commissions.
"The City of Santa Monica values public input and recognizes the importance of boards and commissions that reflect diverse community perspectives, are inclusive and community-focused, and offer subject matter expertise," the report states.
The most substantial change would merge the Disabilities Commission, Housing Commission and Human Services Commission into a single seven-member Housing and Human Services Commission. The new body would meet monthly to address intersecting issues affecting underserved residents.
If approved, the three commissions would remain intact with current membership until July 2026, when the new consolidated commission would begin operations. Priority would be given to existing members who wish to continue serving.
Staff also recommends converting the Urban Forest Task Force, originally established in 2009 and repeatedly reconstituted, into a permanent commission. The change would remove the current requirement that at least three members be certified arborists, broadening recruitment opportunities.
Several commissions would see membership changes. The Arts Commission would shrink from nine to seven members to help meet quorum requirements and reduce vacancies. The Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission would drop from 12 to eight members, with the age limit for youth seats raised from 22 to 25 years old.
The Landmarks Commission would see its residency requirements relaxed for five of seven seats, while maintaining the requirement for the local historian and realtor positions.
In an effort to improve efficiency without full consolidation, staff recommends joint meetings for certain bodies. The Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee would hold its annual meeting jointly with the Council Audit Subcommittee. Similarly, the Clean Beaches & Ocean Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight Committee would hold quarterly meetings with the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment.
Administrative policy changes include removing Council liaisons from boards and commissions "due to concerns of having the undue influence of certain Councilmembers over boards and commissions, limiting their ability to form independent recommendation and rulings," according to the report.
Other procedural changes would limit unexcused absences to two per fiscal year, resulting in automatic vacation of a seat. The waiting period for serving again on the same body would be shortened from multiple years to one year to aid recruitment.
The appointment process may change to invite applicants to speak at Council meetings about their qualifications, with letters of recommendation from community members encouraged.
The comprehensive review was mandated under Resolution No. 11510, which requires the City Clerk's Office to conduct a five-year assessment of boards and commissions. At a July 8, 2025 meeting, the Council directed staff to explore reorganization and consolidation opportunities.
Staff conducted meetings with chairs, vice chairs, staff liaisons, department heads and councilmembers to assess each board's functions and alignment with city goals.
Since the 2021 restructuring, Santa Monica has experienced an increase in regulatory and oversight bodies, some created by voter-approved measures, ordinances and state law. Some entities have overlapping missions, persistent vacancies and lack consistent oversight, according to the report.
The city currently supports 20 boards and commissions, one task force, three nonprofit boards and two district boards. The review focused on the 19 boards, commissions and one task force primarily supported by city staff.
The proposed changes are considered administrative actions and are not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, according to the report.
Staff anticipates minimal immediate cost savings but expects improved efficiency and better use of existing resources. The city invests in recruitment, onboarding, training, software licensing, meeting preparation and staff support for these bodies, with multiple departments providing collaboration and resources.
The City Council will hold a study session Tuesday to review staff recommendations and provide direction. If approved, staff would return with amended ordinances and resolutions to implement the changes.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Santa Monica City Hall.