City Seeks to Fill Vacancies on Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees

The City of Olympia is looking for citizens interested in serving on City advisory committees. Advisory committees provide a structured way for citizens to share opinions and perspectives, study issues, develop recommendations, and provide advice from the citizen perspective to the Olympia City Council.

The advisory committee application period is now open and runs until Friday, Dec. 15, 2019, at 5 p.m. Membership terms generally run for three years, with appointments ending March 31. Applications are being accepted for vacancies and upcoming vacancies on the following committees serving the City of Olympia:

Arts Commission – There is one (1) vacancy open for this Commission. The Arts Commission enriches the lives of the residents by making visual, performing and literary arts vital elements in the life of our community.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) – There are three (3) vacancies open for this Committee. BPAC advises the City Council on efforts to encourage and facilitate bicycling and walking as regular means of transportation or recreation, and provides for pedestrian and bicycle safety needs.

Design Review Board (DRB) – There are four (4) vacancies open for this Board. The work of the Design Review Board includes helping preserve the special character and quality of Olympia by maintaining the integrity of those areas that have a discernible character or are of special historic significance and ensuring that new developments maintain or improve neighborhood character and livability.

The City is specifically seeking a state-certified architect to fill one of the vacancies.

Heritage Commission – There are three (3) vacancies open for this Commission. The Heritage Commission identifies and encourages the preservation of the City’s historic resources; raises community awareness of the City’s history; and serves as the City’s primary resource in matters of history, historic planning and preservation.

Park and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) – There are two (2) vacancies open for this Committee. (PRAC) makes recommendations to the City Council regarding parks and recreation plans, policies, programs and projects; and serves as liaison between citizens and the Council on parks and recreation-related matters.

Planning Commission – There is one (1) vacancy open for this Commission. The Planning Commission advises the City Council on the long-range growth and development of Olympia, including changes to the City’s comprehensive land-use plan and zoning ordinance.

Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) – There are three (3) vacancies open for this Committee.  The UAC advises the City Council, City Manager and the Public Works Department on utility rates, new programs, utility management plans, and policy matters (such as sea level rise, water quality, recycling, etc.) for the City’s four public utilities: Drinking Water, Wastewater, Storm and Surface Water, and Waste ReSources.