Volunteering on Boards and Commissions – Anna Kappa
The City of Santa Barbara offers citizens many opportunities to serve on boards and commissions that serve to consider issues and offer specialized insights to advise decision-makers on issues, plans and policies. It’s grassroots governing and a way to gain insight and make a difference—and often the first step on the local political ladder.
Far too often, the time to apply passes before citizens realize they had a chance to stand up and be counted. After a round of appointments this summer, here’s fair warning of a couple dozen current vacancies and terms that will expire on 12/31/2010.
Be aware that the City allows sitting members to reapply and serve for up to 8 years—more in a specialized position. Typically, if a sitting member seeks to keep the position, the Council will reappoint. But there have been some surprises in recent years.
If you’re interested in stepping up to serve instead of sitting back and complaining, it’s time to attend some meetings, prepare your pitch and plan your lobbying strategy. Contact the person listed for more information, or check the city’s website, CLICK HERE: (Note: Those groups not listed do not have an expiring term or a current vacancy.)
For a list of local Boards and Commission you can join, Read the rest of this entry.
Editor’s Note: This will be archived in the Local Links section (left)
Access Advisory Committee
3 public-at-large seats expire12/31/2010
Contact: Katherine Schmidt, 564-5306
Airport Commission
1 county, 2 qualified electors expire 12/31/2010
Contact: Karen Ramsdell, 692-6002
Architectural Board of Review
2 qualified electors expire 12/31/10
1 county elector vacancy
Contact: Jaime Limon, 564-5507
Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals
all 8 members have open terms
Contact: George Estrella, 564-5553
Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens
1 vacancy for city appointee
Contact: Joyce Lippman, 965-9554
Civil Service Commission
1 seat expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Barbara Barker, 564-5316
Community Development and Human Services Committee
1 member from Latino community expires 12/31/2010
1 member from Westside Neighborhood expires 12/31/2010
1 member from Human Services Agencies expires 12/31/2010
1 vacancy member from African-American community
1 vacancy member from Housing Interests
Contact: Sue Gray 564-5504
Community Events and Festivals
2 public-at-large terms expire 12/31/2010
1 member from cultural arts community expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Ginny Brush, 568-3992
Creeks Advisory Committee
1 County seat expires 12/31/2010
1 vacancy environmental/land use issues
2 vacancies for city/non-city residents
Contact: Cameron Benson, 897-2508
Downtown Parking Committee
1 vacancy city/county
Contact: Browning Allen, 564-5385
Fire and Police Commission
1 term expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Police Chief Camerino Sanchez, 897-2300
Fire and Police Pension Commission
1 vacancy active or retired police officer
2 vacancies qualified electors
Contact: Robert Samario, 564-5335
Franklin Center Advisory Committee
1 public-at-large term expires 12/31/2010
1 census tract 8.01 expires 12/31/2010
1 vacancy census tract 8.01
Contact: Ricardo Venegas, 963-7605
Harbor Commission
1 qualified elector expires 12/31/2010
Contact: John Bridley, 564-5531
Historic Landmarks Commission
1 qualified elector (landscape architect) expires 12/31/2010
1 qualified elector (architect) expires 12/31/2010
1 architect (county) expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Jaime Limon, 564-5507
Library Board
1 term expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Irene Macias, 564-5609
Living Wage Advisory Board
1 expired term (member Chamber of Commerce), Steve Cushman currently serving
1 expired term (non-profit entity), Anna Kokotovic currently serving
1 vacancy (living wage advocacy organization)
1 expired term (qualified elector), Larry C. Lee currently serving
Contact: Bill Hornung, 564-5340
Lower Westside Center
1 Census tract seat 12.04 expires 12/31/2010
1 vacancy (public-at-large)
Contact: Pete Leyva, 963-7537
Measure P Committee (Marijuana lowest law enforcement priority policy ordinance)
1 vacancy expired 12/31/2008 (criminal defense attorney) Joe Allen currently serving
1 vacancy expired 12/31/2009 (medical professional) David Bearman, M.D. currently serving
1 vacancy expired 12/31/2008 (civil liberties advocate) Luis Exparza currently serving
1 vacancy, resident of the city
1 city resident seat expires 12/31/2010
1 drug abuse treatment professional seat expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Police Chief Camerino Sanchez, 897-2300
Mosquito and Vector Management District
8 member board (1 Santa Barbara, 1 Goleta, 1 Carpinteria, 5 county-wide residents)
From Santa Barbara, David Pritchett’s term expires 1/3/2011
Contact: Brian Passaro, 969-5050
NOTE: pays $100 per monthly meeting
Parks and Recreation Commission
1 term expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Nancy Rapp, 564-5431
Planning Commission
1 term expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Danny Kato, 564-5470
Rental Housing Mediation Task Force
1 county tenant term expires 12/31/2010
1 city tenant term expires 12/31/2010
1 city landlord term expired (Marshall Sherrill currently serving)
1 landlord term expires 12/31/2010
1 homeowner expires 12/31/2010
1 landlord (city/county) vacancy
1 tenant (city/county) vacancy
Contact: Andrea Bifano, 564-5420
Sign Committee
2 public-at-large terms expire 12/31/2010
Contact: Jaime Limon, 564-5507
Sister Cities Board
1 county public-at-large seat expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Linda Gunther, 564-5305
Transportation and Circulation Committee
3 qualified elector terms expire 12/31/2010
1 county term expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Browning Allen, 564-5385
Water Commission
1 term expires 12/31/2010
Contact: Rebecca Bjork, 897-1914
Westside Center Advisory Committee
2 vacant seats, public at large
1 vacant seat, census tract 9, 10, 11.01 or 11.02
Contact: Antonio Velasquez, 963-7567 ext. 4545
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