The city could dramatically overhaul its City Council committee system, cutting the number of standing committees from six to as few as three as officials look for ways to reduce scheduling conflicts, improve attendance and move city business more efficiently.
The City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed restructuring Monday as it considers the size, meeting times and responsibilities of its committees.
City staff has presented options for reducing the current six committees to three, four or five, with a four-committee structure outlined in detail.
The review comes as the city prepares for the possibility of moving regular City Council meetings from Mondays to Tuesdays, a change that would force adjustments to the existing committee schedule. Staff said the broader restructuring could also address recurring difficulties getting Councilmembers to committee meetings.
“Meetings have often started late waiting for a quorum to arrive and have had to end early due to loss of quorum,” according to the staff report.
Pasadena currently has six standing council committees: Finance; Economic Development and Technology; Legislative Policy; Public Safety; Municipal Services; and Housing, Homelessness and Planning.
Under one proposal, those six panels would be consolidated into four committees with significantly broader responsibilities.
An Infrastructure, Utilities and Sustainability Committee would absorb much of the Municipal Services Committee’s work, along with capital projects, utility rate-setting and environmental and sustainability issues.
A Housing, Human Services and Economic Vitality Committee would combine housing, homelessness and planning responsibilities with economic development, public health and human services.
Staff said the combination could connect housing and homelessness policy with economic mobility, business climate and community well-being.
A Public Safety and Governance Committee would oversee police and fire matters while absorbing legislative policy and portions of Finance Committee responsibilities, including administrative policy and general fund oversight.
The fourth proposed panel, an Operations, Innovation and Community Services Committee, would handle transportation, technology and departmental operations involving areas including libraries, parks, human resources, rent stabilization and the Office of the Young Child.
Staff is also recommending the council consider standardizing committee meeting times. One possibility would have meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and target adjournment by 7:30 p.m.
The report acknowledges that inconsistent committee meetings have caused broader problems. Some items have been delayed while others have bypassed committees entirely and gone directly to the full City Council, adding to already crowded council agendas.
Reducing the number of committees creates another issue: ensuring all eight elected officials have meaningful roles. Staff suggested rotating committee memberships and chairs, making assignments based on expertise or establishing cross-committee liaisons.
The proposed four-committee structure could also alter the weekly meeting calendar. Two of the committees could meet twice monthly on alternating Wednesdays, while the other two could meet once a month on Mondays or Thursdays. Some city commissions could also have to change their meeting schedules to avoid conflicts.
No final restructuring is being recommended Monday.
The council is being asked to provide direction to staff, which could then develop a detailed implementation plan and timeline.
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