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

• Climate and Environmental Justice
• Fiscal
• Human Relations
• Open Space and Habitat
• Planning
• Police Accountability
• Recreation and Park
• 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.

“We value the expertise and dedication of our commissioners to help improve our Davis community by supporting the efforts and projects of the City Council. The input and recommendations provided by commissions are valued,” said Mayor Bapu Vaitla. “With the General Plan being updated soon, commissions will take a leading role in community engagement and will help collect feedback from residents on key elements in the plan, such as open space, land use, housing and conservation.”

The application deadline is May 2, 2025. Applications are tentatively scheduled to be submitted to City Council for appointment at a public meeting in June.

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 via 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 the 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.

COMMISSION INFORMATION:

Climate and Environmental Justice Commission

• Serve as the lead commission on implementation efforts of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; excludes transportation aspects assigned to the Transportation Commission. Review and make recommendations pertaining to measures to reduce greenhouse gas and address adaptation needs
• Identify policies to address the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities from natural and climate change-induced hazards such as extreme heat, air pollution, drought, and flooding
• Advise on the preservation, management and enhancement of the city’s natural resources including air, soil, urban forest, and water (and its byproducts); excludes habitat and wildlife matters assigned to the Open Space & Habitat Commission
• Review and make programmatic recommendations relating to maintaining the city's water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste utilities. Review and make recommendations regarding environmental policies and regulatory compliance matters
• Serve as the lead commission on implementation efforts of the Urban Forest Management Plan. Advise on the management of the city's urban forest. Review and make recommendations regarding Landmark Tree designations

Fiscal Commission

• Provide accountability and transparency in spending tax-payer dollars. Review spending outlined in the City budget for appropriateness and alignment with Council goals and priorities. Consider potential cost saving measures and revenue generators
• Review and make recommendations on City rates, fees, and charges for all funds including annual or multi-year adjustments to the City's utility rates
• Review and provide recommendations on financial policies. Review and provide recommendations on financial impacts of projects at the request of City Council

Human Relations Commission

• Study and make recommendations around equity and discrimination in the City, including gathering information from affected individuals and connecting them to the appropriate agencies, officials, or processes
• Conduct and support, as appropriate, community forums and activities to prevent and address discrimination and promote diversity, equality, and justice relevant to the goals and policies of the City Council
• Serve as the lead commission regarding the City's community engagement component of the Hate Free Together initiative

Open Space and Habitat Commission

• Advise on matters related to wildlife, wildlife habitat, habitat restoration, public access in open space and trail connectivity between open space areas. Review and make recommendations on the spending of funds dedicated to maintaining existing open space and acquiring new open space and conservation easements
• Advise on the City's agricultural mitigation and agricultural buffer requirements, possible acquisitions of new open space and/or conservation easements and the policies related to such acquisitions
• Serve as lead commission on implementation efforts of the Open Space 2030 Strategic Plan for the Open Space Program and subsequent plan development

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).
• Maintain inventory and recommend designation of historical resources; review applications for alteration permits for historical structures.
• Members with experience/knowledge in historic preservation, cultural heritage of Davis and/or professional qualifications in architecture, history, prehistoric/historic archaeology, urban planning, law, real estate, folklore, museum curation, conservation, landscape architecture, American studies and cultural geography are highly desired to maintain compliance with Certified Local Government Guidelines.

Police Accountability Commission

• Work with Independent Police Auditor on matters related to police accountability, including specialized audits of police department policies. Receive Independent Police Auditor reports on completed citizen complaint investigations. Annually evaluate Independent Police Auditor's work with the commission.
• Review and make recommendations on Police Department Policies, Procedures, and Training.
• Serve as the lead commission regarding the City's community engagement component for police accountability.

Recreation and Park Commission

• Review and make recommendations related to City recreation activities and programs.
• Review and make recommendations related to park planning and operational policies. 
• Participate in public outreach and related events for City parks and recreation activities.
• Serve as lead commission on implementation efforts of the Parks & Facilities Master Plan.

Senior Citizen Commission

• Review and make recommendations related to City policies and programs affecting seniors.
• Support city forums, activities and public outreach events related to senior services.

Social Services Commission

• Review and make recommendations on policies and programs to support City-driven social services. Advise on critical needs involving vulnerable populations, including health, food security/nutrition, disabilities and child care; refer individuals to appropriate agencies, officials or processes.
• Review and make recommendations on policies, procedures and standards related to housing affordability across the continuum from unhoused to renters and home buyers, including affordable housing plans of development proposals.
• Review and make recommendations on Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership Program and other Federal, State and local grant programs to support vulnerable populations in the city. Liaise with providers involved with serving vulnerable populations.

Transportation Commission

• 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.
• Serve as the lead commission on implementation of transportation aspects of the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.
• Hold a public meeting once a year to review any proposed Unitrans route, schedule and fare changes.

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