Volunteer City Commissions and Boards

Residents gladly give up their time to help guide specific areas of our city's policies and plans as volunteer Commissioners and Board Members. They should be applauded for participating so readily in the democratic process and for helping to take ownership as a valuable stakeholder in Santa Monica. As a city, we should be thrilled that so many of our residents want to participate.

However, some of the Commissioners and Board Members sometimes disagree with city staff and city council members. I'm one of them. I've been a volunteer commissioner for 18 years in Santa Monica. All Commissioners and Board Members perform a valuable service to the people of this city. If anything, their powers should be strengthened. We love residents who get involved in a positive way to help their city.

When I became Mayor in late 2023 I immediately set up a Mayor's Cabinet composed of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of each Board and Commission in our city. We try to have quarterly meetings where the Commission leaders can discuss the issues their Commissions are working on and they gain the ability to work with other commissions, the Mayor, and staff to smooth out any problems and work on new ideas for collaboration.

Now, the City Council has approved a Youth City Council. While the city's staff work on the framework I am holding unofficial meetings with Samohi students who want to be involved and influential in their city government. All ages need to be involved in the governance of Santa Monica. I welcome their enthusiasm and their wisdom.