The City of Davis announced today that applications are being accepted from residents (18 years of age and older) to serve on one of the following City commissions: 

• Fiscal
• Human Relations
• Open Space and Habitat
• Planning
• Police Accountability
• Senior Citizen
• Social Services
• Transportation

Commissions have a critical role in the community and serve at the direction of the City Council. Commissions study issues within their scope of authority, analyze and recommend policies and programs, and serve as public forums to hear resident interests and perspectives.

The City Council is in the process of reviewing and updating commission structures, roles and responsibilities, and is scheduled to conclude these efforts within the next few months. This recruitment is focused on filling vacancies from existing commissions as well as newly restructured commissions.

“The City Council leans on its advisory commissions to provide us with important technical review and input for a variety of projects or policy issues coming before us,” said Mayor Josh Chapman. “We value the expertise and dedication shown by our community members willing to dedicate their own time to help the City Council in our decision-making process.”

The application deadline is April 29, 2024. Applications are tentatively scheduled to be submitted to City Council for appointment at a public meeting on May 21, 2024.

For an application visit: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/city-clerk/apply-to-serve-on-a-city-commission. Applications may be submitted via email to: ClerkWeb@cityofdavis.org, via mail to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (23 Russell Blvd., Suite 1, Davis, CA, 95616) or the drop box located in the City Hall parking lot. All applications and accompanying documents are considered public information and may be disclosed or released pursuant to the California Public Records Act. 

In addition to the application form, commission applicants will participate in a 15-minute interview via Zoom with a City Council Subcommittee and city staff.

For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 530-757-5648 or visit the City of Davis website at: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/commissions-and-committees.

Press contact: Barbara Archer, barcher@cityofdavis.org, 530-400-3418

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COMMISSION INFORMATION:

Fiscal Commission (NEW! Merge of Finance & Budget and Utilities Commissions)

• Review spending outlined in the City budget for appropriateness and alignment with Council goals and priorities, as well as potential cost saving measures and revenue generators.
• Advise on City rates, fees and charges for all funds including annual or multi-year adjustments to the City's utility rates.
• Advise on impacts of financial policies and projects.

Human Relations Commission

• Advise on matters of equity and discrimination. Promote mutual respect, understanding, justice and advancing human rights.
• Support forums and activities to prevent and address discrimination and promote diversity, equity and justice.

Open Space and Habitat Commission

• Advise on matters relating to open space including natural areas, wildlife, habitat and agricultural mitigation, conservation and acquisition.
• Monitor implementation of the City's Strategic Plan for the Open Space Program.

Planning Commission

• Serve as the agency to hear matters relating to general plan, general plan amendments, and zoning regulations arising from Government Code or zoning code of the city, or both (i.e., annexations, prezonings, rezonings, development agreements, final planned developments, use permits, design review, variances, zoning interpretations and ordinance amendments).

Police Accountability Commission

• Develop and implement community outreach plan
• Advise on Davis Police Department policies, procedures and training.
• Review Independent Police Auditor reports on misconduct complaints and assess work of the IPA.

Senior Citizen Commission

• Advise on policies and programs that serve senior citizens.

Social Services Commission

• Advise on social services including affordable housing, homelessness, accessibility and low-income needs.
• Make recommendations on Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership Program and other grant programs.

Transportation Commission (NEW! Merge of Bicycling, Transportation & Street Safety Commission and Unitrans Advisory Committee)

• Advise on transportation programs, policies, projects and planning efforts for all modes including active transportation (bicycle, pedestrian, scooters, etc.), transit (Unitrans, Yolobus, etc.) and vehicular.
• Hold a public meeting once a year to review any proposed Unitrans route, schedule and fare changes.