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CC - ACTION ITEM: Discussion and Direction Regarding Transitioning the Standing City Council Police Subcommittee to a Standing City Council Public Safety Subcommittee and the discontinuation of the General Plan Subcommittee.
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Meeting Date: April 27, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk’s Office
Phone Number: City Manager’s Office - (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/23/2026)
Department Approval: Odis Jones, City Manager (04/22/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding transitioning the City Council Standing Police Subcommittee to the Standing City Council Public Safety Subcommittee and the discontinuation of the General Plan Subcommittee.
BACKGROUND
In January 2025, the City Council added a Public Safety Element to the purview of the General Plan Subcommittee comprising members Council Members McMorrin and Puza.
At February 10, 2025, City Council Meeting, the City Council received a majority consensus to discuss transitioning the Ad Hoc 2025 Police Policies Subcommittee to a Standing City Council Public Safety Subcommittee, to allow for public participation in the meetings.
At the July 9, 2025, City Council Meeting, the City Council considered the change from the Ad Hoc 2025 Police Policies Subcommittee to a Standing City Council Public Safety Subcommittee. During this meeting, council members and staff discussed the proposed change and determined to keep the original “police” focus, and transition from an ad hoc subcommittee to a standing subcommittee. The Standing City Council Police Subcommittee was created and kept the same membership as the former Ad Hoc 2025 Police Policies Subcommittee: then Council Member Fish and Council Member Vera.
At January 12, 2026, City Council Meeting, during the annual appointment process for council subcommittees, the issue was raised that the Police Subcommittee had been intended to be a Public Safety Subcommittee. Discussion included concerns that the Public Safety Element conversation currently occurred as part of the General Plan Subcommittee which has two different council members than from the Police Subcommittee. It was determined to wait until representative staff of the potential departments could be available to provide input before making changes.
DISCUSSION
The change from a standing police focused subcommittee to a public safety subcommittee creates a wider scope, requiring the input of multiple departments including Police, Fire, Public Works, and/or Planning, depending on the areas of discussion.
Currently the Standing Police Subcommittee is run by Police Department staff. Should the subcommittee expand to include all public safety matters, the City Manager’s Office would take over the administration of the subcommittee to allow for greater oversight.
Aside from the Public Safety Element, the work of the General Plan Subcommittee has concluded. Council would need to consider whether the Public Safety Element should still be part of the General Plan Subcommittee and, if determined to continue, define the parameters for discussion. If direction to have all discussion of Public Safety be removed from the General Plan, staff would recommend dissolution of that subcommittee.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The change to a larger focus of a subcommittee will have a negligible direct cost to the City. As mentioned above, the change will add significantly to the staff time necessary for this committee and divert staff resources from other City priorities.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
Provide direction to the City Manager regarding transitioning the Standing City Council Police Subcommittee to a Standing City Council Public Safety Subcommittee and the discontinuation of the General Plan Subcommittee.