On Monday, the West Hollywood City Council conducted its biennial review of advisory boards and commissions. A subcommittee comprising Councilmembers John Erickson and Lauren Meister proposed several changes after meeting previously to complete the reassessment. However, residents and board members voiced opposition to certain points, leading to some adjustments that reflect the variability of different boards’ needs.
The meeting began with a public comment session where residents expressed apprehension about the proposed restructuring. Yola Dore, a 30-year resident with a disability, pleaded with the council to maintain the current schedule of 12 annual meetings. “Please don’t cut it down to six,” she urged, “I don’t think we can get anything done that way. I don’t think we’ll have inroads.”
David Nash, a 26-year resident, felt similarly. He told the council, “Things that are done on boards include health fairs, an award show, many presentations that are brought to us from the city—projects, things that public comment brings up, and things that we have on our plate ourselves. It’s hard to get things done at 12 meetings I can’t imagine getting those things taken care of in just six.”
Debra Torok felt that a one-size-fits-all approach was too broad and urged the council to adopt multiple strategies to address the diverse needs of the city’s 16 boards and commissions. “I am respectfully requesting that the action to cut City board meeting times half be revisited and that the work of each individual board be examined to determine if this drastic action is appropriate for each board,” she said. “As a woman who loves this city and has worked on issues for many years I am asking you not to diminish the ability of your advisory boards.”
Dorian Jackson is a member of the Public Facilities, Recreation, and Infrastructure Commission, but declared on this occasion to be speaking as a resident of almost 20 years and as a local government employee. “The at-large appointments concern me for two reasons,” she said. “First, while working in local government, I see there are many applicants who are not thoroughly committed. The pool is very small and the commitment level is not there when you’re doing something on request of someone else. Second: when you have anything that involves a vote, the majority is always going to rule. So if the council is going one way and there’s people on the other side feeling another way, the majority is always going to win. As a minority, a black woman an immigrant, I’m always on the losing side. I think that all voices should be heard. Everyone should have an equal say and an equal part of seating on commissions and boards.”
City Clerk Melissa Crowder presented the subcommittee’s recommendations, which sought to overcome challenges such as quorum issues and the public’s lack of interest in serving on some boards. Proposals included:
- Reducing advisory board membership from nine to seven, aligning them with commissions, which already operate with five direct and two at-large appointees.
- Adjusting meeting frequency from monthly to every other month, reducing the number of annual meetings from 12 to six.
- Revising the attendance policy to notify the council after two unexcused absences instead of three, aiming to improve accountability.
- Exploring an all at-large appointed board.
Crowder cited issues such as a lack of applicants and frequent meeting cancellations due to quorum failures. In 2023 and 2024, several boards—including the Transgender Advisory Board and Women’s Advisory Board—faced multiple cancellations. Crowder emphasized that these changes would allow for “more focused discussions, quicker consensus, and better decision-making.”
The Council reworked some of their initial proposals to better serve the needs board members described. Instead of slashing meetings to six per year, they tasked the City Clerk with crafting a schedule of 8-10 annual meetings, ensuring boards have ample time to tackle their projects. Health-related absence was addressed: City Clerk Melissa Crowder clarified that no one’s getting sidelined for being sick. The all-at-large appointment idea was rejected, potentially affecting equal representation.
Finally, two at-large seats on each board were eliminated. Those agreeing with the decision say it streamlines the appointment process while fixing quorum issues. But others say at-large appointments are essential to expand the candidate pool, enhance diversity, have a more objective appointment process, and ensure city-wide perspective and accountability. They fear the loss of at-large appointments tightens the council’s control of a board’s majority, increasing their influence over boards…across the board.
D.O.G.E NEEDS TO VISIT WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY HALL AND CLEAN OUT ALL OF THE OVER PAID THIEVES.
Brandon, can you post the salaries of WHCH 2023 vs. 2024 to see what increases these do nothings have received?
THank You