The Los Angeles City Council Friday confirmed the appointment of Jason Levin, an executive for a crisis management company, to the Charter Reform Commission.
In a 12-0 vote, the council approved Levin, who is expected to fill the final seat of the 13-member commission. Councilman Bob Blumenfield nominated Levin after his previous nominee, Dennis Zine, a former Los Angeles Police Department officer and city councilman, pulled his name from the process last year.
Some City Council members declined to support Zine’s nomination. He served as the vice chair of the 1997 Charter Reform Commission, as well as held a seat on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers rank lieutenant and below.
Levin serves as the executive vice president for Edelman Crisis + Risk, which bills itself as a global communications firm on its website. He previously served as public affairs director for Cerrell Associates.
Prior to that, Levin worked as communications director for Blumenfield from 2013-2016, according to his resume. He also worked for former Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calabasas, in 2012.
“In his current professional role, he advises leaders across sectors on governance, accountability and crisis management,” according to Levin’s biography. “His work focuses on helping large organizations navigate crises, improve decision-making and communicate transparently with the public.”
“He brings to the commission a pragmatic perspective focused on strengthening representation, reducing corruption risk, clarifying authority and improving the city’s capacity to deliver results while preserving democratic oversight and public trust,” Levin’s biography continued.
Levin will be joining Mona Field, Robert Lewis Jr., Raymond Meza, Melinda Murray, Christina Sanchez, Martin Schlageter and Ted Stein, who were appointed by Mayor Karen Bass, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and former City Council President Paul Krekorian, as well commission-appointed members Carla Fuentes, Michael Yap, Diego Andrades, Andrea Mac and James Thomas.
The panel of commissioners is meeting to review and make recommended changes to the City Charter.
Commission members are reviewing proposals to expand the City Council, improve delivery of city services, streamline contract processes, revise the city’s budget process, and amend censure and suspension procedures of elected officials, among other issues.
Recommendations from the commission will be submitted to the City Council for possible inclusion on the November 2026 ballot.
Since June, the commission has held more than 20 meetings. Los Angeles residents are encouraged to participate by attending meetings in-person or providing online comments via an online survey or by email at reformLAcharter@lacity.org.
The next Charter Reform Commission is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1010, City Hall, 200 N. Spring St.
More information on the Charter Reform Commission can be found at reformlacharter.lacity.gov/