Push On To Get New Faces On Everett’s Boards And Commissions

The City of Everett is working to get new people involved in the decision making process for everything from how much elected officials should be paid to the best plan for transportation, senior center affairs to promoting tourism. Here’s more.

The City of Everett is seeking volunteers who have the desire to make a positive impact on their community by serving on a board or commission. Community members are encouraged to apply for open positions on multiple boards, with service beginning Jan. 1, 2019.

“Community engagement and inclusion are top priorities for our work at the City, especially engaging those not currently connected with us,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “Everett is rich in diversity of cultures and experiences, and I look forward to including all of those voices on our boards and commissions.”

Terms are four or six years and volunteers must be at least 18 years old and current residents of Everett. Franklin will review the applications and make recommendations to the City Council for approval.

Interested volunteers can complete an application on the City’s website at everettwa.gov/boardsapply.Applications are also available at the Mayor’s office at 2930 Wetmore Ave, Suite 10-A. Applications should be completed online or returned to the Mayor’s office by 5 p.m., Nov. 16, 2018.

Openings include:

• Animal Shelter Advisory Board: This board provides input on all aspects of animal services, including in-depth review and modification of ordinances. This board meets quarterly on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

• Board of Parks Commissioners: This board advises the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation department on parks and recreation activities within the Everett. This board meets the second Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m.

• Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) Loan Review Committee: This board meets as needed and advises City staff on matters related to the CHIP program.

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

• Cultural Arts Commission: The Cultural Arts Commission oversees the one-percent-for-the-arts program and makes recommendations to City Council about annual cultural arts grants to support Everett’s nonprofit arts organizations. This board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.

• Diversity 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: The commission advises the City on matters of historic preservation, including nominating properties to the Everett Register of Historic Places, reviewing state and national register nominations, and approving projects for “special valuation” tax benefits. The commission meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

• Library Board: The Everett Public Library is governed by the Board of Library Trustees. 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.

• Lodging Tax Advisory Board: This committee advises Everett City Council on recommendations for proposals that promote tourism in Everett. This board meetings two to four times in the first quarter of the year and then adjourns until the next budget cycle.

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

• Salary Commission: The City’s Citizens Commission on Salaries of Elected Officials meet to adopt a salary schedule for City of Everett elected officials.  The committee meets every other year and is required to complete its work by the first week of May.

• 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 meets the third Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m.

• Transportation Advisory Committee: This committee advises the City on transit services, long-range transportation planning and traffic safety planning. The committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 8 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 p.m.

For more information or to apply, visit everettwa.gov/BoardsandCommissions. For questions, please contact Liz Smith at 425-257-7115 or esmith@everettwa.gov.