The Job you Don’t See

Why 90% of a councilmember’s work happens outside meetings—and why it matters

Most people see the council meetings twice a month.

That’s the visible part.

About 90% of the job happens outside the council chambers.

I serve as a liaison or voting member on several boards and committees—Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Main Street Association, Chamber of Commerce, Paso Robles Housing Authority, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Joint Committee of the City, School District and Cuesta, County Homeless Services Oversight Committee, the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Authorityy.

This is where the real work—and learning—happens.

Through the Housing Authority, I learned that more than 3,000 people are on the waiting list for affordable housing. That’s not abstract—it’s essential context that shapes how I approach decisions at the Council level. And it’s critical that I share this information with my council colleagues.

By staying engaged across different bodies, I can also connect the dots. When I saw Norma’s Alley presentation was agendized at the Planning Commission, I shared that with the Main Street community so they could show up and participate.

The same is true for parks. When I know a parks item is coming to Council of a community workshop is being held, I can give families a heads-up so they can engage.

And sometimes the learning happens in unexpected places. At the ribbon-cutting for Royal Oak Meadows Park, I met the seven staff responsible for maintaining all city parks. That perspective matters when we talk about staffing, resources, and long-term maintenance.

The Council also has core governance responsibilities. We hire and evaluate the City Manager and City Attorney—roles that shape how the City operates day-to-day and how policy gets implemented. We also adopt the vision, goals and budget for the City.

Beyond that, I spend time in the community—meeting with residents, attending events, and working through issues that affect neighborhoods. And when it comes to council meetings, the work goes far beyond reading the agenda. It’s asking questions, talking with staff and stakeholders, and doing the homework needed to make informed decisions.

At its core, the job includes educating myself and the community to more effectively advocate on a variety of issues. It involves identifying, connecting, and strengthening partnerships to better serve our residents.

Because better information leads to better participation—and better participation leads to better decisions.

That’s what it takes to shape the future of Paso Robles.

Quick Glimpse of the Job: View 60 Second Video