Current Openings

Arts Commission

The Arts Commission serves the City Council as policy advisors and proponents for a vibrant cultural environment in Santa Cruz. The seven-member Commission helps guide implementation of City Arts programs, oversees the Public Art Program pursuant to Chapter 12.80 of the City’s Municipal Code, advocates for public art and cultural activities that enhance the identity and enjoyment of our city, and encourages community collaborations that help the city achieve its cultural goals as outlined in the General Plan. A minimum of five commissioners shall be qualified electors of the city. A maximum of two commissioners may be non-residents of the city provided that the non-resident commissioners either work or conduct business in the city. Non-residents must work in one of the following vocations: Artist, designer, arts entrepreneur, landscape architect, arts educator, arts administrator, architect or planner. The majority of the Arts Commission shall be comprised of commissioners who work in the vocations named above.

Meets six Wednesdays per year, from 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Calendar set at the last meeting of the year for the coming year.

Board of Building and Fire Appeals

This eight-member board will hear and decide appeals or orders, decisions or determinations made by the Chief Building Official and/or the Fire Marshal (effective March 11, 1997) regarding the application and interpretation of the various provisions of Title 18 and Title 19 (Fire Prevention Code) of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code, Building and Construction. Applicants must be licensed as Architect, Engineer (Structural, Civil, Mechanical or Electrical), General Building Contractor, Engineering Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, or Mechanical or Sheet Metal Contractor. A non-jurisdictional Building Inspector (either private or of another municipality), fire inspector or similar person demonstrating a suitable technical background may be considered as an alternate member by the City Council. The Chief Building Official and/or Fire Marshal shall be ex-officio member(s) but shall have no power to vote. There will be three special members to serve on the Board consisting of two representatives of the disabled community, and an energy contractor or representative of an energy conservation design service; these special members will only vote on matters that involve their special expertise.

Meets annually to appoint the Chair and Vice-Chair, and then as-needed if appeals are received.

Children’s Fund Oversight Committee

This committee will make recommendations to Council on the use of future revenues in a manner consistent with Measure A, which established the Santa Cruz Children’s Fund and amended the City Charter to dedicate 20% of revenue generated by the Cannabis Business Tax to youth and early childhood development programs and services on an annual basis as part of each fiscal year’s budget approval process.

Meets as needed from 3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Downtown Commission

This seven-member commission advises the City Council on Parking District and Business Improvement District matters. Its duties include reviewing, monitoring and making recommendations on traffic circulation issues, parking matters and allocation of funds from revenues collected on behalf of Parking District No. 1. It also considers public and private activities in the Districts and recommends policies and programs pertinent to Pacific Avenue and the Districts. Applicants must be City voters or voters of Santa Cruz County who are proprietors or employees of commercial establishments, or members of professions with offices or businesses physically located within the boundaries of the Central Parking and Business District or Parking District No. 1.

Meets the 4^th Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 8:30 a.m. in Council Chambers.

Historic Preservation Commission

This seven-member commission advises the City Council on matters relating to preserving the city’s historic heritage. It drafts and recommends to the Council measures to implement the Historic Preservation Plan, including a Historic Preservation Ordinance. Council may specifically delegate other functions by ordinance or resolution. Applicants must be City voters, and shall be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning archeology, or other historic preservation-related disciplines such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography, or cultural anthropology, to the extent such professionals are available in the community.

Meets the 3^rd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.

Parks and Recreation Commission

This seven-member commission advises Council on matters concerning public recreation programs at city park facilities, the Greenbelt, the City Museum, and heritage trees. It makes recommendations on the annual budget for the Parks and Recreation Department, and assists in planning recreation programs. Applicants must be City voters.

Meets the 2^nd Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December from 4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Planning Commission

This seven-member commission makes recommendations to the City Council concerning long-range planning and the General Plan, urban development standards and specific area plans. This board carries out such administrative and appellate duties with reference to zoning matters as required by ordinance or resolution. Its authority includes hearing appeals from the decisions of the zoning administrator. Applicants must be City voters.

Meets the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Sister Cities Committee

This seven-member committee coordinates activities for Santa Cruz’s five sister cities. The duties include promoting international friendship through arranging for cultural exchanges, participating in fund-raising activities, and planning receptions, festivals and educational programs. Committee members shall be residents of the City of Santa Cruz with the exception of a maximum of three (3) members who may be non-residents of the City provided that the non-resident committee members have experience in international affairs, business, education, or cultural pursuits.

Meets the 2^nd Monday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Transportation and Public Works Commission

Established by Ordinance No. 2010-05 in 2010, the Transportation and Public Works Commission is generally responsible for advising Council in matters pertaining to transportation and public works as defined in this ordinance (Section 2.40.081). Its duties include advising Council on planning, design, construction, reconstruction, installation, operation and maintenance of transportation and public works. It makes recommendations to Council concerning the capital improvement program and the annual budget of the Public Works Department. Applicants must be City voters.

Meets on the 3rd Monday of each month (with the exception of July and December) at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Water Commission

This eight-member commission advises the City Council in all matters pertaining to the Santa Cruz Water System and its maintenance and management. The commission also makes studies of long-range plans for securing sources of domestic water supply for the city and reports its conclusions and recommendations to Council. Applicants must be City voters, with the exception of one seat, which shall be a qualified elector of the county who resides outside the City but within the City’s water service area.

Meets the 1^st Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

County Latino Affairs Commission

This nine-member county commission reviews and makes recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors, authorized under County Ordinance 2.117 in its efforts to ensure that the interests of the County's Latino population are protected and promoted. The City Council makes two nominations. Applicants must be residents of Santa Cruz County.

Meets the 1^st Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December at 6:00 p.m. at the United Way Community Room.