City of Whittier advisory board
and commission members are appointed by the City Council and are
an essential part of representative city government. Their role
is to study various areas of importance, special projects, and
city functions and act as advisors to the City Council on these
matters.
APPLICATIONS
Applications for City Boards &
Commissions may be submitted at any time. Under Council policy,
each year the applications on file by March 31st are considered
in making appointments for terms beginning July 1st. To obtain
information about current board & commission openings, contact
the City Clerk-Treasurer Department at (562)464-3330. Click
here to view/print information and application for Board &
Commission vacancies.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The municipal government established
by the City Charter is known as the "Council Manager"
form of government. The elective officers of the City consist
of five City Council members elected at-large. The City Council
elects one of its members as Mayor. The Mayor is the official
head of the City for all ceremonial purposes and, together with
all Council members, interprets the policies, programs and needs
of the City government for the people. The Council also elects
a member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. The City Manager is the
head of the administrative branch of the City government and is
responsible to the City Council.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
The City of Whittier has nine Boards
and Commissions which were established by Charter, ordinance,
or resolution of the City Council. Within a specific area of responsibility,
each Board and Commission has a primary role of advising the City
Council on policy matters or reviewing specific issues and carrying
out assignments as requested by the City Council or prescribed
by law. This is to be done within the parameters, guidelines and
priorities periodically established by the Council. Boards and
Commissions meet at regular intervals, usually once a month or
as required. They act on matters in a public meeting according
to a published agenda. Commission and Board action is in the form
of a resolution or report to the City Council. The City Council
reviews these actions and approves or rejects recommendations
or tables them for further study.
ROLE OF THE BOARD OR COMMISSION MEMBER
Each Board Member or Commissioner
is appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. A Commissioner
or Board member is a qualified resident and elector of the City
who possesses desirable attributes or experience that may benefit
the operation of the City government. Once he/she has accepted
the appointment and received the oath of office, the member is
a representative of the City government and expected to abide
by all rules and prescribed conduct for the appointee of a City
Board or Commission. He/she is also expected to work for the well
being of the City. Each Board or Commission member is responsible
for attending meetings. Non attendance of three consecutive meetings
or non attendance of five meetings may result in replacement of
a Board or Commission member by the Council. All Board and Commission
members serve without compensation. The citizen participation
which results from the creation of Boards and Commissions is an
important asset to the function of City government. Board and
Commission members are encouraged by the City Council to present
ideas as well as concerns. This valuable input can have an important
impact on the development of City policies and procedures.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF &
BOARD AND COMMISSION RELATIONSHIP
Each Board or Commission is assigned
a member of City staff to act as secretary. This staff member
is versed on all policies, procedures and laws relating to City
government and specifically the area for which the Board or Commission
operates. The staff secretary is custodian of all records resulting
from Commission action. The staff member is responsible to the
City Manager who serves as ad hoc member to all Boards and Commissions.
The City Manager reviews all Board and Commission actions and
recommendations before placement on the next most convenient agenda.
Any work resulting from Board and Commission action beyond the
role as secretary must be approved by the City Manager before
the staff can act on it. All communications are transmitted on
City letterhead over the staff secretary's signature or Chairman
of the Commission or Board with consent of the majority of the
Board or Commission.
ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Members are appointed by the City
Council to serve four years and must be citizens and qualified
electors of the City of Whittier. The members of Boards and Commissions
serve without compensation.
| Board
of Appeals |
The Board
of Appeals consists of five members who consider
problems concerning the building code and advise the Director
of Community Development. Secretary - Brian Lee, Building
Services Manager/Buiding Official. Meets upon request of
Secretary. The Design Review Board has been designated to
serve as the Board of Appeals.
|
Cultural
Arts Commission |
The Cultural Arts
Commission consists of seven members who study
and advise the City Council regarding cultural art needs
in the community. Cultural Arts are defined as those elements
of the arts and humanities which add aesthetic enrichment
to the lives of Whittier citizens and the life of the community.
Secretary - Fran Shields, Director of Community Services.
Meets the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the
Council Chamber in City Hall.
- Dr. Joseph Price, Chair
- Bruce Wood, Vice Chair
- Susan Bowers, Commissioner
- Allen Cagle, Commissioner
- Julie Gonzalez, Commissioner
- Richard Legoza, Commissioner
- Dr. Joan Meister, Commissioner
|
| Design
Review Board |
The Design Review
Board consists of five members with special expertise
in the fields of architecture, design or construction. The
Board recommends and approves architectural design
for new buildings and exterior remodels within the multiple-family
and commercial areas of the City. Secretary - Jeff Adams,
Planning Services Manager. Meets second and fourth Thursday
of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber in City
Hall.
- Jeanette Fasone, Vice Chair
- James Becerra, Vice Chair
- Allen Nakken, Board Member
- Michael Delgado, Board Member
- Wes Murray, Board Member
|
Historic
Resources Commission |
The Historic Resources
Commission consists of five members selected to
advise the City Council on matters related to the preservation
of historic resources within the City. Responsibilities
include recommendations for local historic designations
of buildings and sites; recommendations regarding the establishment
of local historic districts; the completion of a comprehensive
historic survey of potentially historic structures; and
the education of the general public in matters relating
to historic preservation. The Commission reviews Certificate
of Appropriateness applications for proposed remodels, additions
or new development in a Historic District and for homes
listed on the survey. Secretary - Don Dooley, Planning Services
Manager. Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall.
- Karen Bennett, Chair
- Austin McCormack, Vice Chair
- Jane Gothold, Commissioner
- Sally Schacht, Commissioner
- Steven Castellanos, Commissioner
|
| Board
of Library Trustees |
The Board of Library
Trustees consists of five members who give advice
on all matters concerning City libraries, consider and recommend
the annual budget for library purposes to the City Council,
establish policies regarding the acquisition of books and
periodicals, and assist in planning Library facilities to
meet the needs of the City and school population. Secretary
- Paymaneh Maghsoudi - Director of Library Services. Meets
the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Whittier
History Room, Main Library.
- Rubin Johnson, Chair
- Eileen Bigelow, Vice Chair
- Gail Chabran, Board Member
- Dr. Rob Settlage, Board Member
- Herbert Sussman, Board Member
|
Park & Recreation
Commission |
The Park & Recreation
Commission consists of seven members who advise
the City Council on matters relating to parks, street trees
and community recreation. The Commission helps plan and
promote recreation programs for the City. Secretary - Jim
Kurkowski, Director of Parks. Meets the third Wednesday
of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Senior Citizens Center,
13225 Walnut Street.
- Todd DeVoe, Chair
- David Lowrey, Vice Chair
- Thomas Hunter, Commissioner
- Bonnie Ceniseroz, Commissioner
- Alex Moisa, Commissioner
- Matt Ober, Commissioner
- Theresa Goetz, Commissioner
|
Parking & Transportation
Commission |
The Parking and
Transportation Commission consists of five members
who make recommendations or give advice to the City Council
regarding parking and traffic problems, issue parade permits
and establish parking restrictions. The Commission also
reviews transportation environmental impact reports, future
transportation development plans, and school crossing guard
locations. Secretary - David Pelser - , Director of Public
Works. Meets first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in
the Council Chamber in City Hall.
- Al Martinez, Chair
- James Snedden, Vice Chair
- Douglas Halliday, Commissioner
- John McCandless, Commissioner
- John Ray Yearian, Commissioner
|
Personnel
Board |
The Personnel Board
consists of five members none of whom, while a member of
the Board, or for one year thereafter, are eligible for
appointment to any salaried office of employment in the
service of the City. The Board gives advice to the City
Council on matters regarding personnel administration, makes
recommendations on personnel rules and regulations, and
is responsible for certain Civil Service procedures, including
hearing grievances and disciplinary appeals. Secretary -
Fred Weiner, Director of Human Resources. Meets the third
Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber
of City Hall.
- Charles Flack, Chair
- Michele Nagin, Vice Chair
- Petrina K.M. Gooch, Board Member
- Ryoji Lloyd Kaneko, Board Member
- John Olivera, Board Member
|
Planning
Commission |
The Planning Commission
consists of five members who advise the City Council concerning
the General Plan; makes recommendations to the City Council
on subdivisions, zoning, and land use matters; and hears
requests for zone changes, variances, conditional use permits
and development review applications. Secretary - Jeff Collier,
Director of Community Development. Meets the first and third
Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber
in City Hall.
- Harry Stone, Chair
- Fernando Dutra, Vice Chair
- Tomas Duran, Commissioner
- Marcia Scully, Commissioner
- R.D. McDonnell, Commissioner
|
Social
Services Commission |
The Social Services
Commission consists of seven members who study
and review the social needs of the community and make recommendations
to the City Council. Secretary - Fran Shields, Director
of Community Services. Meets second Thursday of each month,
at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall.
- Dorothy Carras, Chair
- Rita Torres, Vice Chair
- Alexandria Law, Commissioner
- Charlene Dimas-Peinado, Commissioner
- Cathy McClure, Commissioner
- Carolyn Sigall, Commissioner
- Karen Shepard, Commissioner
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