Looking for a way to give back to Goleta in 2023? Now is the time to apply to serve on a city of Goleta board or commission. There are vacancies on the Design Review Board, Library Advisory Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Public Tree Advisory Commission.

The positions entail the following: 

Design Review Board (DRB) is a seven-member body that encourages development that uses the best professional design practices to enhance the visual aesthetics of the community and prevent poor quality of design. There are three vacancies, one for a licensed landscape professional, one for a licensed architect, and one for an alternate.

Members are appointed to a three-year term. The DRB meets at 3 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month; members are compensated $50 per meeting.

Library Advisory Commission is a five-member body that aims to increase citizen participation in library issues by analyzing the library’s needs, considering goals, anticipating future needs and problems, acting as a liaison, and helping to develop consensus for advisement to the Goleta Library Board of Trustees.

There is one vacancy for a commissioner in the Unincorporated Library Area; members are appointed to a three-year term. Eligible applicants must live in the Unincorporated Service Area of the Goleta Valley. Meetings are held the first Monday of the month; members are compensated $50 per meeting

Parks and Recreation Commission advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta, including the acquisition, development, maintenance, and improvement of the city’s public parks, recreational services, and open spaces.

The seven-member body has three vacancies. Commissioners are appointed to a four-year term. Eligible applicants must live in the city of Goleta. The commission holds six regular meetings and may hold additional meetings as needed; members are compensated $50 per meeting.

Public Tree Advisory Commission provides advice to staff and the City Council in developing plans and goals for the Goleta Urban Forest, represents the interests of the community, and informs the community of the Urban Forestry program as directed by the City Council.

There are three vacancies on this five-member body. Each commissioner serves a 4-year term. Eligible applicants must live in the city of Goleta. The commission holds six regular meetings and may hold more meetings as needed; members are compensated $50 per meeting.

The Planning Commission, which acts as a decision-making body on land use issues for the city, consists of five members who each serve a four-year term. Their role is to review and take appropriate action on discretionary development applications and to make recommendations to the City Council regarding any proposed legislative actions, including the General Plan and its implementation, as required by law.

There are two vacancies. This commission meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m.; members are compensated $100 per meeting.

Applications for all open board and commission vacancies may be submitted online at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/boardscommissions. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 6.

For more information, email cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.