Residents who would like to personally contribute to the quality of life in the City of Santa Clara are encouraged to apply to serve on any of the City’s Board or Commissions. Commissions include the Board of Library Trustees, Civil Service Commission, Cultural Commission, Historical & Landmarks Commission, Housing Rehabilitation Loan Committee, Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Senior Advisory Commission and Youth Commission.
The City Clerk’s Office maintains a contact list of residents interested in being notified when an opening occurs. To be added, submit an Interest Form on the City’s website at santaclaraca.gov/commissions, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or call (408) 615–2220.
The City of Santa Clara currently has vacancies on the Historical & Landmarks Commission (1), Planning Commission (2), Senior Advisory Commission (1) and the Civil Service Commission (2). The application deadlines for the commissions, interview dates and times are as follows:
| Commission/Board | Application Deadline | Interview Date & Time |
|---|---|---|
| Historical & Landmarks Commission | May 6, 2015, 5 p.m. | May 12, 2015, 6 p.m. |
| Planning Commission | May 6, 2015, 5 p.m. | May 12, 2015, 7 p.m. |
| Senior Advisory Commission | May 13, 2015, 5 p.m. | May 19, 2015, 6 p.m. |
| Civil Service Commission | May 13, 2015, 5 p.m. | May 19, 2015, 7 p.m. |
Interviews for the Historical & Landmarks Commission and Senior Advisory Commission will be held in the City Hall reception lobby. Interviews for the Planning Commission and Civil Service Commission will be in the City Hall Council Chambers during the regular scheduled Council Meeting.
- The seven–member Historical & Landmarks Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to historical places and landmarks. The Commission provides advice on naming and renaming streets and museums, and the marking and preserving historical landmarks and places. The Commission generally meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
- The seven–member Senior Advisory Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters affecting people age 50 and older in the City, including: health, education, employment, housing, transportation and recreation. The Commission generally meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center.
- The seven–member Planning Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to construction and development of the City. The Commission makes recommendations about land subdivisions, zoning as prescribed by ordinance and developmental projects. The Commission generally meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
- The five–member Civil Service Commission is charged with the duty of ensuring that qualified persons are appointed to City jobs. The Commission acts as a Board of Review to hear petitions by City employees and applicants for jobs, and can grant or deny those petitions. The Commission generally meets on the second Monday of every other month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
If you are a registered or eligible voter (or in the case of the Youth Commission, a Santa Clara resident, age 12–19) and are interested in serving on any board, commission or committee, or would like more information, visit the City’s website at santaclaraca.gov/commissions, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov, call (408) 615–2220, or visit the City Clerk’s Office at 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, 95050.