City commission deadline set

Barbara Diamond

June 12 is the deadline to apply for seats on the city arts or

planning commission.

Public interviews of the applicants will be conducted at the June 18

City Council meeting and appointments announced.

Four seats are open on the Arts Commission, one of them as an

alternate. Three seats are open on the Planning Commission. Regular

commission terms are two years, one year for alternates.

The seven-member Arts Commission meets at 4:30 p.m. on the second and

fourth Monday of each month. Meetings and preparation time may exceed

several hours a week. Commissioners are paid $40 a month.

Duties include advising the City Council on all matters pertaining to

art, including the adoption of ordinances, rules and regulations the

commissioners deem necessary for the administration or preservation of

fine or performing arts in the city. At least four members must be active

in the arts. The Arts in Public Places Program is a major project.

The five-member Planning Commission reviews and advises the council on

development and modification of land uses within the city limits;

amendments to the city’s general plan, zoning ordinances, subdivision

regulations and special projects.

Regular meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday

of each month. Meetings can last four hours or more and require a lot of

preparation time. Study sessions are also held. Commissioners are also

expected to visit sites and review projects prior to meetings and to

attend special project workshops.

Applicants should be prepared to spend at least four to six hours a

week, a conservative estimate, for which they are compensated $60 a

month.

Useful skills would include the ability to understand zoning

regulations and their effect on allowed land uses. Experience in land use

planning, architecture, engineering and/or real estate would be an asset.

Applications are available at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall,

505 Forest Ave., and due by 5 p.m., June 12.