Everett Charter Review Commission Seeks Volunteers

Editor’s Update 4:30 PM Nov. 25th: In our original posting on November 23rd there was an error which we need to fix regarding how the committee is chosen. Here’s an email just received from Meghan Pembroke at the City of Everett…

According to Sec 16.5 Periodic review of Charter.

……..the committee shall be composed of not less than seven nor more than ten members appointed by the Mayor and a like number appointed by city council, plus one member to be selected, as its first item of business, by the committee thus appointed.

There are currently 15 members of the committee.

Every ten years a panel of citizens is formed to review the Everett City Charter. The charter is the city’s constitution that outlines how the city’s legislative, judicial and executive branches operate. This committee begins meetings in early February with meeting dates determined by the committee. The Mayor and city council both appoint panelists. If you’d like to be considered you can follow this link for a printable application. The application needs to be printed out filled in and returned to the city by 5:00 PM December 4th. You can also email it to lbrandt@everettwa.gov by 5 p.m. Dec. 4, 2015. For questions, please call 425-257-7115.

In addition to the Charter Review Commission there are also a number of other boards and commissions that are accepting applications from people interested in volunteering. They include…

• Animal Control Advisory Board: This board provides input on all aspects of animal control including in-depth review and modification of ordinances. This board meets quarterly on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

• Board of Parks Commissioners: This board advises the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation Department on Parks & Recreation activities within the City of Everett. This board meets the 2nd and as needed on the fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m.

• Civil Service Commission: The charter established the Civil Service Commission to oversee the administration of specific charter provisions relating to city employment. The Civil Service Commission provides for the classification of most employees. This committee meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m.

• Cultural Commission: The Cultural Commission approves funding for non-profit arts groups, presents free lectures and musical performances, is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Public Art Collection valued at $2.5 million and has developed an outdoor sculpture exhibition that features sculptures in the downtown. This board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.

• Diversity Advisory Board: This board advises the Mayor and City Council on diversity issues and activities within the city. The board meets the third Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

• Historical Commission: This board advises the city on matters of history and historic preservation. The commission also nominates property to be included on the Everett Register of Historic Places, reviews state and national register nominations, approves restoration tax benefits, provides design review in Historical Overlay Zones and publishes information about Everett heritage. This commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

• Committee for Housing and Community Development: This board promotes citizen participation for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Committee is responsible for creating Everett’s five-year Consolidated Plan and one-year Action Plan which are required to receive funding from HUD. This committee meets five consecutive Wednesdays beginning mid-February.

• Human Needs Committee: This committee meets in November and December to review applications and award grants to non-profit agencies that render services in Everett to the city’s residents.

• Library Board: The Everett Public Library is governed by the Board of Library Trustees. The Board consists of five members who are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. Board members serve for five-year terms, and each member serves as president during the fifth year of service. The board meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

• Planning Commission: The planning commission makes recommendations to the City Council, Mayor and other city departments on the city’s broad planning goals and policies. The commission meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m.

• Senior Center Advisory Board: This board gives input on various projects and assists in events to raise money for the Everett Senior Center. The board assesses the center’s changing needs. The board meets third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m.

• Transportation Advisory Committee: This committee studies traffic issues and proposes solutions to transportation challenges. The board also advises on transit services, long-range transportation planning and traffic safety planning. The committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 8:15 a.m.

• Tree Committee: The committee’s primary responsibility is to review and make recommendations to the Parks Commission concerning the implementation of the Public Tree Policy. The committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:15 p.m.

For more information on boards and commissions, visit everettwa.gov/electedofficials.