The City of Gilroy is still looking for volunteers to fill 28 open seats on 13 different City boards, commissions and committees, according to City Clerk Shawna Freels. The deadline, originally Dec. 3, has been extended to Dec. 30.
“We’re trying to push how important it is for people to volunteer and give back,” she previously told the Dispatch. “Honestly, volunteers can be a part of what Gilroy looks and feels like.”
Anyone interested in participating should first attend a meeting of the body they are seeking to join, Freels suggests.
“On the City’s website, we have minutes and packet materials for every single one of those groups so they can see what they do and what comes before them on a routine basis,” she said.
Each of the 13 groups meets regularly and is a policy body that fulfills “very focused responsibilities” requiring a commitment to attend each meeting.
Applications can be found on the city website, www.cityofgilroy.org, and at City Hall located at 7351 Rosanna St., and are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30. To submit an application, those interested must be registered voters within the City – with the exception of the Youth Commission.
Applications may be submitted to City Clerk Shawna Freels, 7351 Rosanna St. Gilroy, CA 95020 or emailed to shawna.freels.cityofgilroy.org. For more information, or if applicants need help during the process, contact Freels at (408) 846-0204.
Open positions
Arts and Culture Commission (three open seats)
This seven-member body is responsible for advising City staff and City Council on matters pertaining to cultural and artistic activities to encourage, promote and stimulate broad-based arts in the community. The Arts and Culture Commission meets at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in Council Chambers.
Bicycle Pedestrian Committee (one open seat)
This five-member commission advises staff and City Council on matters related to bicyclists and pedestrian activities and issues of concern. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month in Council Chambers.
Building Board of Appeals (one open seat)
This five-member board addresses matters pertaining to building and construction and hears all building appeals. The Building Board of Appeals meets “as needed” according to Freels and is comprised of four persons with “experience and training” as well as one member of the public.
Historic Heritage Committee (two open seats)
Acting as an advisory body to City Council and the Planning Commission, the Historic Heritage Committee addresses issues relating to identification, protection and preservation of historic sites and neighborhoods of the City. The committee meets at 4:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in Council Chambers.
Housing Advisory Committee (four open seats)
This nine-member body is comprised of community stakeholders tasked with reviewing housing policies, programs and making recommendations to the City Council on housing-related matters. The Housing Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in Council Chambers.
Library Commission (one open seat)
Comprised of five members, this commission serves as an advisory and liaison body to City Council, staff and the city librarian on matters concerning the library and meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Gilroy Library.
Open Government Commission (two open seats)
This five-member commission is tasked with oversight in ensuring that citizens are provided with greater access to information and provided with governmental transparency by advising the City Council and staff on how to uphold Chapter 17A of the City Code, commonly known as the Gilroy Open Government Ordinance. The Open Government Commission also develops goals and proposes amendments, acting as an appeal body for public records requests that are denied by staff. Meetings are held quarterly in Council chambers.
Parks and Recreation Commission (two open seats)
This seven-member body is responsible for advising staff, the Planning Commission and City Council on matters pertaining to public parks, urban forestry and recreation in advancement of park and recreation planning and programming. The Parks and Recreation Commission acts as a review body during the public hearing process for master planning purposes and related planning projects. The commission meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in Council Chambers.
Personnel Commission (two open seats)
The Personnel Commission is a five-member body which advises on and reviews job descriptions and classification recommendations for City positions and serves as a neutral body to hear appeals of disciplinary matters. The commission also periodically reviews human resources rules and regulations within the City and meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in City Hall.
Physically Challenged Board of Appeals (three open seats)
Comprised of five members, this body conducts hearings regarding action taken by staff to enforce public accommodations for the physically challenged and discusses items of interest. The board meets at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday in January, April, July and October in Council Chambers.
Planning Commission (two open seats)
This seven member body acts as an advisory body to the City Council in the review of planning applications for land use entitlements – including subdivisions, planned unit developments, zoning changes, conditional use permits and variances – and participates in comprehensive planning studies. The Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in Council Chambers.
Public Art Committee (four open seats)
Comprised of seven members, this committee works in an advisory capacity to the Arts and Culture Commission in the development of public art to create an enhanced visual art environment within the community. The committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in Council Chambers. Public Art Committee applicants are also interviewed by the Arts and Culture Commission.
Youth Commission (one open seat)
The Gilroy Youth Commission is an eleven member commission of youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who serve to advise City Council and staff on issues affecting youth,” Freels said. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of the Gilroy Unified School District and meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the meeting room of the Gilroy Senior Center.
