The City of Santa Monica has 31 openings on one of 14 boards and Commissions.

According to City Hall, there are annual appointments available for the Airport Commission (2), Architectural Review Board (1), Arts Commission (3), Audit Subcommittee (1), Commission for the Senior Community (2), Commission on the Status of Women (2), Disabilities Commission (2), Housing Commission (2), Personnel Board (1), Planning Commission (3), Recreation and Parks Commission (1), Santa Monica Library Board (1), Social Services Commission (3) and the Urban Forest Task Force (7).

Most of the groups serve in advisory capacities and with self-evident jurisdictions. However, a few have a more specialized function within City Hall.

The Personnel Board is an advisory group pertaining to personnel administration and a quasi-judicial review body for hearing employee appeals of certain disciplinary actions. In addition to offering advice, the Commission also hears appeals of suspended, demoted or removed employees in classified service; holds public hearings and make recommendations to the City Council on the adoption, amendment or repeal of Civil Service rules and regulations.

Santa Monica’s Audit Subcommittee makes recommendations related to finance but the group also provides an alternative way for employees, taxpayers or other citizens to confidentially report suspected illegal, improper, wasteful or fraudulent activity and provide periodic review and selection of external and internal auditors.

Requirements for the appointments vary by commission. Most require Santa Monica residency but the Arts Commission also accepts individuals who work in the city. Some positions have additional requirements. Applicants for the Senior Commission must also be registered to vote in the city and one seat is reserved for someone over the age of 60. Both seats on the Housing Commission are reserved for Section 8 tenants and one is reserved for someone over the age of 62.

All members of boards, commissions and committees except tenant members of the Housing Commission, the Clean Beaches & Ocean Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight Committee, the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Santa Monica Inc, and task forces are limited to serving two consecutive terms. However, a third consecutive term may be available if the member makes a written request and Council approves that request with at two-thirds majority.

Tenant members of the Housing Commission are limited to four consecutive two-year terms. A fifth and sixth term are possible with a two-thirds vote of the Council.

Individuals that reach the limit on consecutive terms can reapply no sooner than four years after their last term expires.

Of the 2019 annual appointments, most are for terms ending in June of 2023. The Housing Commission terms run through June 30 of 2021 and the Personnel Board terms are for five years expiring in June 30 of 2024. Applications are due by noon on June 18.

Visit smgov.net/boards for more information or to apply.

Santa Monica College (SMC) is also seeking applications for the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee from representatives of the Santa Monica and Malibu business communities. The group oversees the implementation of the bond measures that are funding capital improvement projects at the college: Measure U (2002), Measure S (2004), Measure AA (2008), and Measure V (2016). The application deadline is Friday, June 14, 2019. Applications for additional members are encouraged, and are available at smc.edu/CBOCApp.

editor@smdp.com