A developer, a former mayor and the city's disaster preparedness
coordinator were among the residents chosen Tuesday by the City
Council to serve on the committee reviewing the city's operations and
governmental organization.
The 15-member Charter Review Committee will begin its task of
reviewing city functions and organization and potentially reform city
government in January.
The committee will meet twice a month for a year and then make
recommendation for changes that must be approved by voters.
How the charter spells out filling a vacancy on the City Council
-- such as the one created by the Tuesday resignation of Stacey
Murphy -- shows the importance of the document, Mayor Jef Vander
Borght said.
"Without the charter, some of these critical issues would not be
addressed," Vander Borght said.
Carolyn Jackson, an analyst with the city of Los Angeles
Department of Transportation, was chosen as the committee's
chairwoman.
The committee's work will not be a disappointment to the city,
Jackson said.
"We'll be looking at charters of similar-sized cities, what their
differences are and whether those differences would help our city
run better," Jackson said.
Jackson also serves as the chairwoman of the city's Park and
Recreation and Community Services Board.
The city has not reviewed its charter in more than 20 years,
although attempts since then to form a committee have not met with
success. The current committee will receive a $40,000 budget for a
consultant, clerical support and other supplies and materials it
might need.
The committee was originally to have 11 members but was expanded
to 15 to get more broad input, Assistant City Manager Mike Flad said.
"Staff is really pleased with who they picked," Flad said. "They
are good community members who will give quality input."
Councilman Dave Golonski was the board member most supportive of
having 15 members on the committee.
"Their work is a review of the charter and to discuss it and
different viewpoints would be good," Golonski said. "Looking at the
quality of candidates, I'm confident we can manage a group of 15."
Among those chosen to serve on the committee are Vincent Stefano,
an attorney who served on the City Council from 1973 to 1977 and was
mayor from 1974 to 1975; Rich Baenen, the Fire Department's disaster
preparedness coordinator; Claudia Bonis, a real estate agent; David
Ahern, economic development manager for Glendale; Susan Robles, a
training coordinator and Chris Carson, president of the League of
