City of Oroville looking for commissioners
OROVILLE » The city of Oroville is looking for residents to sit on five advisory commissions including the Planning Commission, Arts Commission, Parks Commission, Citizens Oversight Commission and Housing Loan Advisory Committee.
“We need community volunteers to participate in these advisory commissions so that we can be as transparent and inclusive as possible,” said Jackie Glover, assistant city clerk.
The Planning Commission and the Housing Loan Advisory Committee each have one opening for new commissioners.
The Planning Commission, which oversees land use changes within the city, meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday every month. The Housing Loan Advisory Committee meets at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of the month and reviews and approves home loans issued by the city.
“It is extremely interesting and makes you realize how import it is in small towns for citizens to be involved. Because we’re nonpolitical and professional, we have a perspective that I believe staff and the more political city positions do not bring to table. Instead of projects just going from developer to staff the commission brings normal citizens into the process and gives a boots on ground perspective of how planning decisions affect the residents of Oroville,” said Natalie Sheard, Planning Commission commissioner.
The Citizens Oversight Committee was established to provide oversight of Measure U, which added 1 percent to local sales tax in 2019, to ensure that the money collected is spent wisely and is in compliance with the intent of the measure. The committee provides budget recommendations to council. This committee has two openings and meets quarterly to review financial statements at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
The Parks Commission meets at 5:15 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. It is tasked with overseeing and managing the municipal parks.
“The parks are a great part of the city. They are just beautiful and we want to enhance them by making decisions to help them be utilized more, stay clean and safe. Serving on this committee is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the greater community,” said Machelle Conn, Parks Commission commissioner.
The Arts Commission oversees the general areas of public visual, performing and literal arts that contribute to the health and quality of life in a community. The role of the Arts Commission is to serve as an advocate for the arts and as a community partner in the design and development of the city’s cultural life and environment as well as liaison with Oroville city government in order to achieve these goals. The commission meets bimonthly at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday.
“Public art changes the aesthetics of a town to make it more pleasing. The idea is the arts make a city more inviting and show an interest in culture and beauty and the desire to preserve and promote it,” said Dave Tamori, Arts Commission chair.
To learn more about the commissions, commissioner qualifications and to apply to be a commissioner visit www.cityoforoville. org and click on “government boards and commissions.” Applications are due by noon Nov. 12.