FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
August 1, 2025
**PRESS RELEASE**
COUNCILMEMBER BLUMENFIELD APPOINTS DENNIS P. ZINE TO FINAL SEAT ON LA’S CHARTER REFORM COMMISSION
The three term Councilmember, 33 year veteran of the LAPD and former Charter Commissioner will bring a breadth of experience to help reshape the future of LA
WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CA – Today, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield announced his appointment of former Councilmember Dennis P. Zine to serve on LA’s Charter Reform Commission. Zine will fill the final seat on the commission, which was established by Mayor Karen Bass last year, to review the City’s Charter in anticipation of a future amendment package to be considered by the City’s voters. The seat had been filled by the prior Council President Pro Tem, but the appointed candidate resigned which created this vacancy.
“I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who is more experienced, qualified and passionate about the history and future of Los Angeles than Dennis Zine,” said Councilmember Blumenfield. “There are policy issues where we disagree, but his unique grounding of city experience and public service will make him a critical and meaningful voice in this body.”
"I am honored to be asked to serve on the Charter Commission, which is among the most meaningful and impactful boards in the City,” said Dennis P. Zine. “Changes to the Charter should not be taken lightly or hastily as they have far reaching consequences for our City. At the same time, there is an opportunity to improve our government and ability to meet the challenges of the moment, which I am grateful to join.”
The Commission will consider changes on a variety of issues from increasing the size of the City Council, to updating contracting practices, with potentially far reaching impacts on how City government operates to best serve its communities. Tasked with evaluating and updating the Charter, which is essentially LA's constitution, the commissioners will recommend changes to the City Council which then will review their recommendations to finalize what if any amendments to put before the voters.
Zine, age 77, brings immense institutional memory and experience to the commission. He previously served the West San Fernando Valley on the LA City Council for 12 years (2001-2013) as well as serving as an officer with the LAPD for three decades. He was an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League and served actively with many nonprofits in the San Fernando Valley including MADD, Haven Hills, New Economics for Women and the Executives of Jewish Home for the Aging. He grew up in Hollywood and is the son of Lebanese immigrants.
In 1997, he was elected to the previous Charter Reform Commission where he served as Vice Chair. That Commission’s work helped create Neighborhood Councils, established an inspector general at LAPD, clarified the powers of the Controller, gave the City Attorney expanded subpoena power, and decentralized the planning and land use process leading to regional Planning Commissions.
While on the City Council, Zine chaired the Personnel Committee for many years and was a member of the Executive Employee Relations Committee, making him an expert on issues affecting City workers. He also served on the Public Safety and Budget Committees, navigating many complex public policy questions and city service delivery issues, in good and bad economic times.
Zine’s nomination will be voted on by the City Council before he will officially join the Commission.
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