Committee continues Parks advisory-committee overhaul to June after member concerns

The Rules Committee on Monday heard debate over a proposed ordinance to streamline the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Advisory Committee and continued the item to the June 12 Rules Committee meeting after members of PROSAC and Board offices requested more time for input.

President Aaron Peskin introduced the ordinance as a governance reform intended to address quorum and participation challenges on a 23‑member body that, he said, can be unwieldy. Peskin described a proposed structure in which each district would have a single voting representative and an alternate; he emphasized the ordinance is not intended to disqualify current members and invited PROSAC leadership to provide suggested amendments.

Kelly Grothe from Supervisor Chan’s office circulated two suggested amendments: add a seat appointed by the Board president representing an environmental‑justice organization (subject to Board approval) and add "disability" to the list of relevant experience for committee members. PROSAC chair Wendy Aragon and members including Stephen Dipank Kolani asked for a continuance so the committee and leadership can work together; speakers noted longstanding vacancies and expressed mixed views on whether reducing seats or changing appointment structure would address the root problems.

President Peskin proposed additional technical amendments, including a transition date for the presidential appointee term to begin Sept. 1, 2023, and a requirement that the committee hold monthly meetings at City Hall. The committee voted unanimously to adopt the submitted amendments for the purpose of continuance and to continue the ordinance as amended to the June 12 meeting so PROSAC can review and provide input.