MISSION VIEJO : City Panels May Be Merged Into 2 Bodies

All city committees could be merged into two commissions by the City Council tonight.

Under plans to be considered by the council, six city bodies would be assigned to the Planning Commission and a proposed Community Services Commission. One option under consideration would leave the Traffic and Transportation Commission intact.

“I think this would represent a rare moment in local government when the number of agencies actually decreases,” said Mayor Robert A. Curtis. “This move would streamline our operations and cut down on unnecessary bureaucracy.”

The plan calls for the Planning Commission to absorb the Economic Development Committee and the Traffic and Transportation Commission.

The proposed Community Services Commission would take over the functions of the Seniors Commission, the Drugs and Substance Abuse Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Community Services Commission would consist of seven members, with each of the five council members appointing one commissioner. The other two commissioners would be selected by the council at large.

Curtis said the consolidation would save the city time and money.

“We want to make sure that city staff is working on priority items, and make sure they’re not just servicing city bureaucracy,” he said.

If approved by the council, the reorganization would take effect on Jan. 1.