Committees

Assistant President Pro Tempore
The President of the Council appoints a member of the Council to be “Assistant President Pro Tempore” who exercises the powers and duties of the President Pro Tempore in case of vacancy in that office, or in the case of unavailability due to sickness, absence from the state, or disability of the President Pro Tempore. The appointment of Councilman Zine to this leadership position was made following the election of the President and President Pro Tempore.

Personnel, Chairman
The Personnel Committee hears matters related to the Commission on Status of Women, Employee Relations Board, Personnel Department, Bureau of Management - Employment Services, The City’s Child Care Coordinator, the Employee Relations Function of the Office of Administrative and Research Services, and the Executive Employee Relations Committee. Issues under this committee’s jurisdiction include employment methods, management and labor relations, comparable worth and pay equity, equal employment opportunities, employee benefits including proposed changes in City pensions and retirement provisions, the City’s day care programs, and all matters directly relative to wages, hours, and working conditions.

Education and Neighborhoods, Vice Chairman
The Education and Neighborhoods Committee reviews matters related to the City’s schools, Neighborhood Councils, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), and the Human Relations Commission. Issues discussed include the location of new schools, interaction with the Los Angeles Unified School District, after-school programs and childcare, Neighborhood Council governance, and general civic participation and empowerment initiatives.

Public Safety, Member
The Public Safety Committee hears matters related to the Police Department, Fire Department, Animal Services Department, and some issues related to the Department of Building and Safety. The committee sets policy related to public safety, the protection of lives and property, code enforcement, emergency preparedness, police and fire communications systems, regulation of animals, criminal drug activities, rewards, gang activities, earthquake awareness and expenditures from the Earthquake Trust Fund, construction and maintenance standards and testing, and all other matters directly related to public safety.

Planning and Land Use Management, Member
The Planning and Land Use Management Committee hears matters related to the Planning Department, City Planning Commission, Cultural Heritage Commission, Area Planning Commissions, Office of Zoning Administration, Boundary Adjustment Committee, General Plan Advisory Board, Local Agency Formation Commission, Coastal Commission, Building and Safety, and the Construction Services Committee. Issues under this committee’s jurisdiction include all land use planning matters including but not limited to the General Plan, Community Plans, subdivisions, zoning, height districts, condominium, mini-malls, annexations and detachments, conditional uses, variances, interim control ordinances, moratoriums, and environmental determinations directly related to those matters; population estimates; growth management, code enforcement, except residential code enforcement on existing housing, slum housing abatement and the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP); building permit appeals; construction and maintenance standards and testing; architectural review and cultural monuments; and Mills Act function (Historical Property Contracts).