Harbor Commissioner Nomination of Michael Chavez
At a glance
- What: Mayor Bass's nomination of Mickey Chavez, an ILWU Local 94 foreman, to the Board of Harbor Commissioners (agenda item 48).
- Where it stands: confirmed by the City Council on 2026-10-20 (Council File 26-1200-S60), 15 ayes, 0 noes, for the term ending June 30, 2027. The journal lists his financial disclosure statement and background check as pending.
- Next: none expected from the Council; he joins the board.
Support and the one objection
- Speakers from ILWU locals and community groups backed the nomination; Danielle Miranda said he would be the first Local 94 member on the board.
- Diane Middleton, a former commissioner, said the dockworkers' voice had been missing since 2024.
- Gary Herrera and others stressed port jobs and the threat of automation.
- One general-comment speaker objected that a union member on the commission is a conflict of interest.
Council discussion
- McOsker brought the nomination and asked how Chavez would balance clean air with jobs; Chavez answered that zero-emission equipment can be run by workers, without automation, if funded.
- Ten colleagues spoke in support.
Sources
- 2026-10-20 - City Council (video and transcript)
- https://lacity.primegov.com/portal (Council agenda for 2026-10-20; the Council File number is not stated in the audio and should be added from the agenda)
- City Council journal, October 20, 2026: https://d22tgksh1zpp6f.cloudfront.net/OnlineDocs/agendas/2026/2026-10-20-council-journal-5be54709-32d0-41cf-9ec6-afc1bb779d53.pdf
Discussion time
About 38 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - City Council | 38 |
Log
2026-10-20 - City Council
Journal: item 48, Chavez confirmed 15-0. Time limit file November 27, 2026 (last day for Council action November 20). The Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee waived consideration. Current board composition per the journal: M=1, F=3, Vacant=1; he resides in Council District 15.
- 2026-10-20 - City Council - Chavez introduced himself and answered one question; public comment was all in support apart from one objection; confirmed unanimously.