Ethics Task Force Rebooted

West Hollywood’s City Council voted 5–0  to reconstitute its Ethics Reform Task Force, tasking it with reviewing campaign finance enforcement, disclosure rules, and officeholder accounts. The decision, merging items F.2 and F.8, sparked debate over task force impartiality and state law flux, aligning with the city’s equity focus, like nondiscrimination updates (F.9).

City Clerk Melissa Crowder proposed reviving the task force, previously led by Max Kanin, Joseph Guardarrama, and Elizabeth Ralston, to explore a Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) contract and officeholder account reforms. Councilmember Lauren Meister’s F.8 initiative added evaluating Levine Act thresholds (e.g., $250 vs. $500) and Political Action Committee (PAC) transparency, citing election spending. Resident Johnny Nicoloro supported, urging broader transparency (Morning-6.pdf).

Councilmember John M. Erickson backed reconvening but cautioned against Levine Act changes, noting state shifts (e.g., SB 1243’s $500 threshold) and PAC “dark money” risks, like $47,000 donations. Meister challenged Guardarrama’s role, citing Kaufman Legal Group’s election work (e.g., UNITE HERE PACs, 2017–2024, MEMO_FROM_STAFF_5.19.25.pdf). “There’s the appearance of impropriety,” she said, joined by Vice Mayor John Heilman and Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, who noted Ralston’s potential exit. The council agreed to replace members for objectivity.

Resident Anita Goswami endorsed F.8, stressing PAC transparency: “Voices are not being heard equally.” Heilman and Councilmember Danny Hang prioritized FPPC enforcement and Levine Act review, wary of PAC disclosure’s First Amendment limits. City Attorney Lauren Langer confirmed local disclosure flexibility, but Hang warned of staff burden from state law “ambiguity.” Three 5–0 votes tasked the task force with FPPC thresholds, local disclosures, and officeholder rules.

The task force’s public meetings will shape reforms for officials and lobbyists, building on 2015 ordinances (e.g., gift policy). Item F.2’s appointed official removal discussion clarified direct appointees serve at a councilmember’s pleasure, while at-large removals need majority votes. No changes were proposed, with training to clarify processes.

West Hollywood’s ethics push, echoed in civility efforts (F.1), reflects resident demands for trust, per Goswami and Nicoloro. Meister’s impartiality stance and Erickson’s caution highlight the balance between local ambition and state constraints, setting a transparent path forward.