The City of Whittier has eight 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. Board and Commission 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.
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.
Each Board Member or Commissioner is appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. A Board or Commission 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 in any six-month period may result in replacement of a Board or Commission member by the City 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.
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 Board or 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.
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/Building Official. Meets upon request of
Secretary. The Planning Commission has been designated to
serve as the Board of Appeals.
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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.
- Rob Settlage, Chair
- Eileen Bigelow, Board Member
- Lisa Dabbs, Board Member
- Lynne Mook, Board Member
- Rubin Johnson, Board Member
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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.
- Allen Cagle, Chair
- Bruce Wood, Vice Chair
- Julie Gonzales, Commissioner
- Eric Martinez, Commissioner
- Joan Meister, Commissioner
- Joseph Price, Commissioner
- Norma Rodriguez, Commissioner
|
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.
- Sally Schacht, Chair
- Karen Bennett, Commissioner
- Steven Castellanos, Commissioner
- Heather Crawford, Commissioner
- Jane Gothold, Commissioner
|
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 - Fran Shields, Director of Parks. Meets the third Wednesday
of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City
Hall.
- Theresa Goetz, Chair
- Thomas Hunter, Vice Chair
- Delicia Barba, Commissioner
- Richard A. Conforti, Commissioner
- Todd DeVoe, Commissioner
- Dean Harako, Commissioner
- David Lowrey, 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.
- Douglas Halliday, Chair
- John Ray Yearian, Vice Chair
- Al Martinez, Commissioner
- James Snedden, Commissioner
- John McCandless, Commissioner
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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 -
Terry Rubalcava, Human Resources Manager. Meets the third
Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber
of City Hall.
- John Olvera, Chair
- Rose Marie Garcia, Vice Chair
- Charles Flack, Board Member
- Ryoji Lloyd Kaneko, Board Member
- Douglas Staine, Board Member
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Planning
Commission |
The Planning Commission consists of five members who advise the City Council concerning
the General Plan; make recommendations to the City Council
on subdivisions, zoning, and land use matters; and hear
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.
- Wesley A. Murray, Chair
- Eduardo Hernandez, Vice Chair
- Fernando Dutra, Commissioner
- R.D. McDonnell, Commissioner
- Harry Stone, 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.
- Charlene Dimas-Peinado, Chair
- Alexandria Law, Vice Chair
- Dorothy Carras, Commissioner
- Sue Dean, Commissioner
- Rene Licon, Commissioner
- Carole Marin, Commissioner
- Carolyn Sigall, Commissioner
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