City Commissions in The People’s Republic

City governance in these United States varies from city to city.  As I wrote earlier this week, in Davis we practice the Manager-Council form of government wherein our elected Council members decide on policy and then the City Manager is charged with enacting that policy.  The Council thus acts as a powerful Legislature with a subservient Executive, the City Manager.

In practice then, we have a representative democracy.  Unlike many similar sized cities, however, power in Davis is much more decentralized as many special interest groups, political alliances, organizations and direct-ballot issues like growth and taxation give the people a large measure of indirect and direct democratic power.  Thus, one reason that we’re often called (deridingly and lovingly) The People’s Republic of Davis.

There is another collection of power that holds a well-established, important and sometimes controversial place in our community: City-council appointed commissions.  Since we’re such a well-educated town, why not have a bunch of topical advisory boards comprised of citizens willing to give their time, energy and expertise to the city for free?  Out of 17 Commissions, only two are mandated: Planning Commission (by the State) & the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Committee (by the feds, I believe).

One could argue that these commissions are just another part of the bureaucracy, but in reality they are a more contemplative type of legislative body that are separated from the electorate and less prone to political concerns… although many commissions have been hijacked by willful members for their own agendas… but that’s another story for the new roofed patio at Sophia’s with adult beverages.

Feathers are easily ruffled on this subject, so keep in mind that this is just one person’s thoughts.  As the senior Commissioner on the Open Space & Habitat Commission,  past Chairperson of the ad-hoc Climate Action Team, and audience member at many other commissions, I can tell you that the effectiveness and value of any given commission has more to do with it’s membership than it’s mission.

In future articles, I’ll be exploring the roles, history and potential for some of our commissions.  But for now, I’d like to float an idea:

The City Council should create a Mobility Commission and abolish the Unitrans Advisory Commission, Bicycle Advisory Commission and the Safety & Parking Commission.

Transportation is by far the largest portion of our community’s carbon footprint.  Many non-University-affiliated Davis residents don’t feel that Unitrans serves them well.  Bicycling should always be an important part of our community, but in this modern age, bicycling must be planned with other forms of mobility in mind.  Where can our community currently create public policy for alternative forms of transportation?  Where can advocates for better access to mass transit spread their gospel?  We need a 21^st century, holistic approach to mobility.  Let’s start by condensing our transportation related commissions into a more innovative and thoughtful place: the City of Davis Mobility Commission.