Mayor Karen Bass Friday announced several appointments to the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission, an entity tasked with recommending changes to a wide range of government procedures, including a possible expansion of the City Council.
In June 2024, the City Council and Mayor Bass established the commission, culminating months of work by the Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform. The effort came in response to a leaked 2022 audio recording of racist comments made by three former City Council members, which sparked public outrage.
On Friday, Bass’ office released the names of the commissioners, who once confirmed, would build out the remainder of the group. The mayor previously cited January’s wildfires and recovery efforts for delaying the selection of her nominees.
“After careful consideration, I am pleased to announce my appointees, who I believe will carry out their roles with a deep commitment to creating better local government for the people of Los Angeles,” Bass said in a statement. “The Charter Reform Commission will be vital to achieving the government reform that Angelenos deserve.”
Justin Ramirez, who recently served in former-President Joe Biden’s administration as associate director of public engagement for the U.S. Department of Transportation, is expected to take on the role as executive director of the Charter Reform Commission. Bass and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson selected him for the position.
The Charter Reform Commission consists of four commissioners selected by the mayor, two commissioners selected by the council president and two appointed by council president pro tempore. The eight appointed members will select another five names through an application process.
Bass has nominated Max Podemski to serve as deputy director. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has worked as a transportation planner for the city since February 2023.
Her picks as commissioners include Robert Lewis, Raymond Meza, Melinda Murray and Christina Sanchez.
Lewis, a community benefits program manager for L.A. Care Health Plan, has worked in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector for nearly 30 years. The mayor’s office said he has supported under-resourced communities as a grantmaker and through innovative lending practices to historically disadvantaged areas within the city.
Meza is a deputy chief of staff for SEIU Local 721, bringing decades of experience engaging with the community and stakeholders to deliver for union members and the public-at-large, according to the mayor’s office.
Murray is a deputy district attorney for L.A. County, and previously served as a member of the L.A. City Ethics Commission from 2015 to 2022. Sanchez, a resident of the San Fernando Valley, serves as vice president of public affairs at AltaMed Health Services, leading communications, media relations and building connections with L.A.’s business community, according to the mayor’s office.
Three of four City Council picks were approved in late 2024.
Harris-Dawson selected Martin Schlageter, a special assistant to the general manager of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He previously served as director of external relations for the Bureau of Street Services, also known as StreetsLA.
Former Council President Paul Krekorian previously selected Mona Field and Ted Stein to serve as commissioners. Field sits on the Los Angeles County College District Governing Board. Stein is a “dedicated civic leader,” who has served on blue ribbon commissions and worked for former LA mayors Antonio Villaraigosa, James Hahn, Richard Riordan and Tom Bradley, according to Bass’ office.
President Pro Tempore Bob Blumenfield will make an appointment to replace a previous commissioner who had resigned.
All appointments are subject to confirmation by the City Council.
According to the mayor’s office, the Charter Reform Commission will have authority to review the entire City Charter and consider recommendations by the City Council. Subjects for review may involve delivery of city services, contracting processes, revising the city’s budget process, censure and suspension of elected officials, among other things.
Recommendations from this commission will be submitted to the City Council in early 2026 for possible inclusion on the November 2026 ballot.