LAFCO elects Gutierrez as next chair and Areola as vice chair; committee rosters set

At the Jan. 22 meeting, Riverside LAFCO approved leadership and committee assignments for 2026.

Commissioner Perez nominated Vice Chair Sean Gutierrez to serve as chair beginning at the next meeting in February; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Agustin Areola was nominated and confirmed as vice chair. Commissioners noted both officer positions become effective at the commission’s February meeting.

The commission also confirmed members of the Administrative Review Committee (ARC) and Legislative Committee. The ARC membership will include Chair-designate Gutierrez, Commissioner Underwood and Commissioner Sanchez; the Legislative Committee will include Chair Vargas, Commissioner Sanchez and Commissioner Perez. Executive Officer Gary Thompson said he will present a proposed legislative item to CALAFCO seeking statutory language aligning petition timelines with the newly adopted Policy B4.

The commission appointed Vice Chair Gutierrez as LAFCO’s voting delegate to the Feb. 23 CALAFCO special membership meeting and selected Commissioner Perez as alternate.