Committees & Commissions

The City Council is assisted in its duties by citizens serving on Commissions, Committees, Boards, and Special Task Forces. Provided for by related Ordinances, these appointed groups provide much needed public input into the local government process.

Most of these commissions, committees, and the like serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council. Lengths of terms vary and most require that appointees reside in Los Banos. In most cases, members who fulfill responsibilities are eligible for reappointment to a second term.

Agendas and minutes of Commission meetings are available from the City Clerk, located at City Hall, or email cityclerk@losbanos.org.

Airport Advisory Commission Members, with the assistance of the Airport Manager, familiarize themselves with the operations and facilities of the airport so they may perform the following duties:

• Make recommendations to the City Council concerning those matters that are properly the subject of formal action by the Council.
• Recommend, within the limitations of the Los Banos Municipal Code, ways and means of financing changes and additions to the airport.
• Approve or disapprove changes in the methods of operation proposed by the Airport Manager.
• Recommend changes in administrative policy and ensure that the Airport Manager carries out policies as directed.
• Recommend capital improvement projects.

Commissioners are appointed by the City Council and serve two-year terms. The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 520 J Street.

For Questions regarding the Airport Advisory Commission, please call the Public Works Department at (209) 827-7056.

On November 6, 2018, Los Banos voters enacted the Los Banos Essential City Services 1/2 Cent Sales Tax (“Measure H”).   Measure H has spending priorities identified, for Public Safety, Recreation and Administration fiscal stability.  Approval of Measure H required the City Council to establish a Citizens’ Oversight Committee.

The purpose of the Committee is to review, make recommendations and annually report on the revenue and expenditure of the funds from the ½ cent sales tax adopted by Measure H in order to provide for citizens’ oversight, transparency and accountability in connection with expenditures of the tax revenues generated by Measure H.

The Committee shall confine itself specifically to its responsibilities under Measure H. Revenues from other sources shall fall outside the scope of the Committee’s responsibilities.

The Committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the City Council.  Terms of the members will be staggered so that the terms of three (3) members end in even-numbered years while the terms of the other two (2) members end in odd-numbered years.

The specific duties of the Committee are as follows:

1. To review, comment and make recommendations for the use of Measure H funds to the City Council each year prior to adoption of the annual budget/Measure H annual expenditure plan. Recommendations and comments of the Committee will be presented by the Finance Director during the budget workshop. City Council will consider the recommendations and comments of the Committee prior to budget adoption.
2.  Review the annual Performance Report and report Committee findings to the City Council at a public meeting. Finance Staff will present to the Committee an Annual Performance Report, the report will include the status of revenues received and the use of expenditures for the most recently completed fiscal year. The Committee will be tasked with reviewing the annual report and reporting its finding to the City Council at a public meeting. All reports will be made available to the public on the City’s website.

For questions regarding the Measure H Committee, please call the Finance Department at 209-827-700 x 2422.

In November 2004, Los Banos voters enacted the Los Banos Police, fire, Public Safety/911 Special transaction (sales) and use Tax (Measure P for 911)

The purpose of this Special Tax (Measure P) provides additional funding for public safety personnel, supplies, and service, capital outlay items, equipment, facilities and technology improvements over the term of the tax.

Measure P is equally split into two funds, one for the Police Department and the other for the Fire Department.

Measure P has a 20-year expenditure plan in place that outlines funding for public safety infrastructure and personnel.

Approval of Measure P required the City Council to establish a Citizens Oversite Committee.

The Committee shall consist of seven (7) members. The Police and Fire Chiefs shall together nominate each committee member. Nominees shall be appointed by motion of the City Council by majority vote. Members shall be registered voters within the City of Los Banos and shall serve a term of three years.

The purpose of the Committee is to review, the revenues and expenditures generated and spent under the funds from the ½ cent sales tax adopted by Measure P and provide findings to the City Council for approval, in the form of two semi-annual reports, one report (including fourth quarter information).

The Committee shall meet semi-annually or as often as it deems necessary to accomplish the objectives of Measure P.

For questions regarding the Measure P Committee, please call the Los Banos Fire Department at 209-827-7025 or the Los Banos Police Department at (209) 827-7070.

The Parks & Recreation Commission was established to serve in an advisory capacity to the Public Works Director and the City Council on all matters pertaining to public recreation, including the management, conduct, and care of the parks and playgrounds in the City. The Commission studies the needs of the City and the means of meeting such needs in connection with all such matters pertaining to public recreation and parks usage.

The Commission counsels the Public Works Director and the City Manager in connection with the preparation of the annual budget for the Parks & Recreation Division, including the City parks and makes recommendations with respect thereto to the City Manager and City Council through the Public Works Director.

The Commission assists in the planning of recreation programs for the residents of the City and promotes and stimulates public interest therein, and, to that end, solicits to the fullest possible extent the cooperation of special authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein.

The Commission studies present and future needs of the City with respect to recreation and park facilities, programs, and events and makes recommendations to the City Council and City Manager concerning the same. All commissioners are appointed by the City Council and serve two-year terms.

The Parks & Recreation Commission meets on the third Tuesday of January, April, July, and October at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 520 J Street.

For questions regarding the Parks & Recreation Commission, please call the Public Works Department at (209) 827-7056.

The Planning Commission performs the duties described in the present or any future zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations of the City’s Municipal Code. This includes any similar ordinance, statute, rule or regulation of the State, County or this City pertaining to the districting, zoning or dividing the city into districts or zones and regulating the construction of improvements, the use, division or minor subdivision of property within the City. The City Council provides the Planning Commission with it’s directions and assigns tasks.

The Planning Commission is charged with the responsibility of studying the needs of the City in which they advise and recommend to the City Council concerning the establishment, modifications and change of zones or districts, and designations of the uses to which property contained therein may be prohibited, restricted, and regulated and other duties as may be delegated by the City Council.

The Commission consists of five total members, of which four by-district members serve one four-year term and one at-large member serves one two-year term, who must reside within the City limits. The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 520 J Street.

For questions regarding the Planning Commission, please call the Community & Economic Development Department at (209) 827-7000 ext. 2431.

The City of Los Banos has established a Traffic Safety Committee as outlined in Los Banos Municipal Code Section 4-5.05. It was established in 1992. Members include representatives from the Public Works Department, Community & Economic Development Department, Police Department, Fire Department, and Planning Commission. This Committee has the duty of initiating or reviewing all proposals or requests for establishment, modification, elimination, or removal of all traffic control signs, signals, markings, speed zones, prohibited or restricted parking zones, or other such related matters, which fall under the lawful discretionary control of the City.

The Tree Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Parks & Recreation Commission and to the Public Works Department regarding the importance of trees to the community.

The Commission was formed as part of the City’s commitment to being a Tree City, USA. It has helped the city be acknowledged as a Tree City USA every year since 1991.

The Commission makes recommendations on the planting and maintenance of trees. It also provides recommendations regarding the present and future needs of the City in connection with trees in public spaces, commercial locations, and residential areas. The Tree Commission works closely with the Director and staff of the Public Works Department.

The Commission meets quarterly on the second Wednesday of February, May, August, and November at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 520 J Street.

The Commission also helps educate community residents on the importance of trees and the proper planting and maintenance of trees. As part of this educational purpose, the Commission provides links to useful and informative web sites, including these:

www.arborday.org — This Arbor Day Foundation site gives information on the selection, planting, and maintenance of trees.

www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityStandards.cfm — This site explains what it means to be a Tree City USA.