The biggest faux pas that creative class has made in downtown Phoenix is not getting involved in the right organizations and making an impact. —Derek Neighbors
Last February, I wrote a call to action exhorting my readers to get involved in their city. I noted that too many people still look to the politicians, developers and civic organizations to make our cities better places to live and do not do enough to push for the changes we seek.
One—but by no means the only—way to get involved is to serve on a City Board and Commission.
I have compiled a rough list of the various City of Phoenix Boards and Commissions. The spreadsheet indicates the public bodies with vacancies and if there are geographic and or/professional qualifications for each.
My apologies for the Phoenix centric nature of this post. If you do not live in Phoenix check out your respective cities website, I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for similar involvement in other jurisdictions
Opportunities in Phoenix
Of the 63 Boards and Commissions, there are now 39 with at least one vacancy, including 4 with open membership limits. In total, there are 125 vacant positions.This means that there are at least 125 opportunities for residents of Phoenix to get involved with their city government in one way or another. Of all these openings here are 7 that will be of interest to my (central Phoenix) readers:
Central City Village Planning Committee
Description: The Village Planning Committees shall assist the Planning Commission in the performance of its duties. Village Planning Committee activities should include: 1) Identifying areas or provisions of the General Plan text which need refinement and updating. 2) Identifying problems and needs related to implementation of the General Plan. 3) Defining in greater detail the intended future function, density and character of sub-areas of the village. 4) Commenting on proposals for the new zoning districts or land use districts.
Meeting Frequency: Once per month on the second Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the Emerson Court, School District Board Room, located at 1817 North 7th Street (southeast corner of 7th Street and Palm Lane).
Board Composition: No more than 21 members nominated and appointed by the Mayor and City Council who must live or work within the village boundaries. Composition is as follows: District 8 – 16 members, District 7 – 3 members, and Mayor – 2 members. For this body, quorum (the number of members required to discuss and act on agenda items) is based on a majority of the current membership.
Current Openings: 4 residents of District 8. (Appointment by Michael Johnson)
Contact Information: Katherine Coles (602) 256-5648
Commission on Housing and Neighborhoods
Description: The purpose of this Commission is to address issues affecting housing and neighborhood preservation issues in Phoenix and to address the roles of both the private and public sector in housing and neighborhood preservation issues. The Commission will submit reports to the City Council on such issues and make recommendations for City action, and the Commission will act as an advocate with respect to housing and neighborhood preservation issues.
Meeting Frequency: Once per month on the third Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the Phoenix City Hall, 200 West Washington, 12th Floor East Conference Room.
Board Composition:This Commission shall consist of fifteen (15) members to be appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval by the City Council. The Mayor shall endeavor to appoint a commission that is racially and ethnically diverse, and includes members of labor, financial, business, professional and public interest groups. All appointments shall be for a term of three (3) years. Any vacancy occurring shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the City Council, for the balance of the unexpired term. Non-voting and ex-officio members may be appointed by Mayor. The Chairman and Vice Chairman are to be appointed by the Mayor subject to approval by the Council.
Current Openings: 3 residents of the City of Phoenix. Appointment by Mayor (Phil Gordon)
Contact Information: Jackie Johnson (602) 262-6033
Phoenix Women’s Commission
Description: The purpose of the Phoenix Women’s Commission is to provide a formal forum for citizen review of the City’s affirmative action effort, salary equity, and to serve as an advisory board to the Council. The Commission shall not become involved in political issues nor in matters which are outside of the City’s jurisdiction. The Commission shall recommend improvements on matters related to the status of women and implement specific projects and programs as approved by the Mayor and City Council with the following areas of responsibility: 1) Review the City of Phoenix Affirmative Action recruitment, hiring, placement, and promotional programs, and salary equity to identify strengths and weaknesses; and to make recommendations of changes needed. 2) Define, review, and prioritize the problems of women as those problems relate to the City. 3) Recommend possible solutions to those problems. 4) Develop short range and long range goals and objectives for improving the status of women. 5) Evaluate projects as requested by the Mayor and Council. 6) Recommend persons to serve on City standing committees, advisory boards and ad hoc committees. 7) Assist in efforts to provide information and educational programs to improve the status of women. 8 ) Provide written reports to the Council regarding recommendations, submit special reports at the request of the Council, and submit an annual report of its activities to the Council in December of each year.
Meeting Frequency: This Commission meets bi-monthly on the second Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. in Room 704, Calvin C. Goode Municipal Building, 251 West Washington.
Board Composition: The Commission shall be composed of volunteer citizens who shall be residents or employees of the City of Phoenix. The Commission shall consist of eighteen members, serving for a period of three years. Members and the chairperson shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to approval of the City Council. The chairperson shall serve for one year. The Commission shall elect a vice-chair person.
Current Openings: 2 residents of the City of Phoenix. Appointment by Mayor (Phil Gordon)
Contact Information: Reyna Rodriguez (602) 261-8244
Planning Commission
Description: The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on all matters that might be referred to it by the City Council concerning or relating to a comprehensive plan of City building and improvement and recommends to the City Council, from time to time, amendments to the City Charter, ordinances providing for the purchase of sites for City buildings; opening, widening or other changes in streets and other public ways, and the ornamentation of such sites, streets, grounds and other public places; and such other ordinances as it may deem necessary and proper in the premises and that may tend in connection with such comprehensive plan to promote the public health, comfort, safety, convenience, utility and welfare. The Planning Commission is also authorized to confer and advise with other similar City planning commissions or county planning commissions.
Meeting Frequency: This Commission shall meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Board Composition: The Commission shall be comprised of nine members who are residents of the City of Phoenix to be appointed by the City Council. Seven members members shall serve for four-year terms unless removed by Council; One member shall be a Chairman or Vice Chairman of a Village Planning Committee and serve for a two-year term, selected on a rotating basis from the several village planning committees; and One member shall be a Board Member of a Neighborhood Association registered with the City and shall serve for a two-year term, selected on a rotating basis from the several registered Neighborhood Associations. The chair and vice-chair will serve one-year terms. The Planning Director shall also serve as an ex officio, non-voting member.
Openings: 1 resident of the City of Phoenix. Appointment by Mayor and Council. Contact information listed below.
Contact Information: Alan Stephenson (602) 262-4870
Rehabilitation Appeals Board
Description: The purpose of the Rehabilitation Appeals Board is to hear appeals involving a notice of violation issued. The Rehabilitation Appeals Board shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities: 1) On an appeal, the Board may affirm, reverse or modify the notice of violation. 2) In order to assist in making the determination set forth, the Board may take evidence from the appellant, City staff, and any other person. 3) At the Appeal Hearing, the Board shall make its decision. 4) The Department Director or designee may request the advice and consent of the Board on any issue. 5) The Department Director or designee may request the consent of the Board when pursuing abatement through demolition except when proceeding pursuant to a court order. 6) The Board shall periodically meet for the purpose of planning and advising the City Council on matters concerning substandard or hazardous structures and enforcement or revision of applicable sections of Chapter 39 of the City Code and other relevant matters. 7) The Board may adopt rules necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities imposed upon it. Such rules shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the ordinance, or the Charter of the City of Phoenix.
Meeting Frequency: This Board meets once per month on the fourth Monday at 1:15 p.m. in Phoenix City Hall, 200 West Washington Street, First Floor Assembly Rooms B & C.
Board Composition: The Board shall be composed of nine members including one chairperson to be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The term of office of the members of the Board shall be for three years. The following professional categories are to be represented on the Board: registered architect, lending officer, homebuilder or licensed building contractor, professional real estate appraiser, licensed engineer with experience in building construction, and real estate licensee (residential). The remaining seats shall be filled by citizens interested in housing or neighborhood improvement residing in a neighborhood represented by an organization which is listed with the Neighborhood Services Department.
Openings: 1 resident of the City of Phoenix. Current opening is for a registered architect.
Contact Information: Christy Blake (602) 534-9862
Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission
Description: The Commission shall act as an advisory body to the City Manager and the City Council and make recommendations regarding but not limited to: 1) Polices, priorities and plans for the development and improvement of arts and cultural activities in Phoenix, and, in conjunction with other appropriate agencies, in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. 2) Coordinating with the private sector and other governmental agencies in promoting arts and cultural excellence as a tool for the encouragement of economic development, business relocation and tourism. 3) Organizing and promoting activities which celebrate the City and its unique cultural heritage. 4) Allocation and budgeting of funds for arts and cultural funding. 5) Policy for the percent of art program. 6) An annual public art project plan. 7) Payments for the design, execution and placement of art projects, within the appropriations in connection with specific capital improvement program projects. 8 ) Encouraging the use of Arizona artists in City art projects by setting annual goals to be identified in the annual public art project plan and approved by City Council. 9) Guidelines for accepting, selecting purchasing, commissioning, placing, preserving, and deaccessioning non-percent for art projects and other City art acquisitions, gifts, or extended loans of art. 10) Accepting, receiving, planning and deaccessioning specific works of art on behalf of the City. The Commission shall also advocate for arts education, cultural diversity, and other initiatives that further the growth and sustainability of the arts and cultural community in Phoenix and the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. In addition, the Commission shall have such other powers and duties as may be appropriate in carrying out the purposes and goals of the City Code and as set forth in reports or recommendations adopted by the City Council.
Meeting Frequency: Once per month on the third Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Phoenix City Hall, Conference Room.
Board Composition: The Commission shall consist of not less than eighteen (18) members appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The appointments shall be for terms of up to three years with all terms terminating on September 30. Members of the Commission should be persons who are concerned about arts and cultural issues in the City of Phoenix and may be persons who have professional expertise or substantial volunteer involvement in the following areas: 1) Visual, performing or literary arts; 2) Architecture, design or urban planning; 3) Education; 4) History; 5) Science; and 6) Arts and cultural institution management.
Openings: No Maximum Membership. Suggested experience/interest of members listed below. Contact information listed below.
Contact Information: Phil Jones (602) 495-0186
Phoenix Residential Investment Development Effort (PRIDE)
Description:The Phoenix Residential Investment Development Effort (PRIDE) is a private non-profit, non-stock corporation created in 1989 to assist in the community’s efforts to provide affordable housing within the Phoenix corporate limits. The corporation was organized to pursue development or acquisition opportunities that will promote or increase the supply of housing that is affordable to low and moderate income households. PRIDE will undertake projects for its own account, under contract or in conjunction with the City of Phoenix, or as a joint venture partner with other corporate or private entities. The primary organizational goals of PRIDE are described as follows: 1) To develop, promote and otherwise assist in the establishment and operation of low or moderate income housing. 2) To combat community deterioration. 3) To secure adequate housing, community facilities and other related facilities and services conducive to the progress and general welfare of the City of Phoenix.
Meeting Frequency: The board shall meet the 4th Tuesday of the month.
Board Composition: The board shall be composed of no less than 3 individual members and no less than 3 of said members, shall serve as the Board of Directors.
Openings: No Maximum Membership. Contact information listed below.
Contact Information: Rebecca Velarde (602) 262-6943
The openings are just a small selection of the total openings. Be sure to check out the entire list for others. Also, if there is a board or commission that you would like to serve on, but that does not have a posted opening, i suggest getting in touch with the contact person. The website is not always up top date, so there may be an opening that is not yet listed. If there are no vacancies at this time, you can always ask if there is a waiting list or ask to be notified when a place becomes open. If the appointment is a city council member or mayoral appointment, I also suggest contact their respective office as well.
If you don’t have the time or energy to commit to serving on one of these boards and commission, that is fine. All of their meetings are open to the public. Attend any meeting that you can and make your voice heard in that way. Even being in the audience of city meetings is a step in the right direction.
Lets make 2011 the year that our voices are heard!