Current Commission Vacancies

The City Council of the City of La Grande has established by Ordinance ten Advisory Commissions; a Building Board of Appeals, and the Budget Committee which is mandated by State Statute. In addition, the Council has appointment privileges for other City and County Boards of Directors; for example, the Union County Tourism Advisory Committee. Individuals serving as unpaid Board, Committee, or Commission members play a vital role in assisting Staff and Council by making recommendations in connection with a variety of important administrative and/or policy-making decisions that directly impact City operations in particular, and our community in general. Such recommendations include providing input to appropriate Staff regarding Department or Program annual budgets.

AIR QUALITY COMMISSION: The Air Quality Commission was established in response to the City’s mandated Air Quality Program in 1995. The intent of the Program is to benefit our citizens’ health and welfare by ensuring we all have clean air and improved visibility, as well as improving economic development opportunities within the community. Commissioners meet on an as-needed basis and are provided with administrative staff support for routine Commission meetings and events. There are seven, 3-year seats, the terms for which shall begin immediately upon appointment.  Applicants may express a preference for term duration. 2 of these seats may be filled by a resident of the area within the City’s Urban Growth Boundary or within the boundaries of Union County.

This Commission currently has three vacancies: 2 will expire on December 31, 2023; and 1 will expire on December 31, 2024. 

ARTS COMMISSION: The primary purpose of this seven-member Commission is to encourage greater opportunities for and recognition of the arts in our community including providing coordination of and communication among groups and individuals engaged in the arts to enhance the artistic diversity available for the citizens of La Grande; promoting development of the arts as an economic driver to the area; assisting with programs and projects that encourage the arts for local youth; advising the La Grande City Council on art related issues.

This Commission currently has one vacancy:  1 will expire on December 31, 2023.  

BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS: This five-member Board was established by Ordinance Number 3224, the Dangerous Building Ordinance. The purpose of the Board is to hear appeals of decisions of the Building Official regarding application of the various Building Codes and Ordinances. Members shall be residents of the City, except that one member may be from the area within the City Urban Growth Boundary, or within the boundaries of Union County. Board members shall be individuals who have an interest in construction issues facing the City of La Grande, and who are qualified by experience and training to decide matters pertaining to building construction.  This Board meets as needed.  These are 4-year terms.

This Board currently has four vacancies:  1 will expire on December 31, 2024; 2 will expire on December 31, 2025; and 1 will expire on December 31, 2026. 

COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE AND FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMISSION: The Commission serves as an advocate of the City’s urban forest and encourages improvements through long-term planning and policy development, as approved by the City Council. The Commission is responsible for reviewing the annual Tree City USA application and nominating individuals who have given outstanding efforts for Community Forestry Awards. The Commission also promotes appreciation of trees, provides landscaping information to residents and businesses and encourages landscape installation and maintenance on private property. The Commission reviews, maintains, and updates as appropriate the Community Landscape and Forestry Master Plan.

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

LANDMARKS COMMISSION: The Commission consists of five (5) members. Three of the seat holders must reside with the City limits or the Urban Growth Boundary and two may reside within Union County. The Commission is empowered by the City Council and charged with reviewing projects within the Downtown Historic District and those involving historic landmarks; and determining whether those projects are "historically appropriate."  

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

LIBRARY COMMISSION:  Per Chapter 357 Of Oregon Revised Statutes requires that a public library be governed by a Library Advisory Commission consisting of not less than five (5) members, serving for four (4)-year terms. The Library Advisory Commission is charged to serve as advocates of the F. Maxine and Thomas W. Cook Memorial Library and its services and programs. Commissioners also review the Library Budget and consult with, advise and make recommendations to the Library Director, City Manager, and City Council.

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

PARKING, TRAFFIC SAFETY AND STREET MAINTENANCE ADVISORY COMMISSION: The Commission serves as an advocate of the City's Parking, Traffic Safety and Street Maintenance priorities and programs, as determined by the City Manager, Public Works Director, and/or the City Council.  The Commission recommends traffic safety priorities, develop and recommend coordinated safety programs, review information and data regarding traffic safety issues, and make recommendations related to that information. An individual appointed as a member of the Commission shall be a resident of the City, except 2 such member may be from the area withing the City's Urban Growth Boundary.

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION:  This seven-member Commission meets monthly and recommends policy changes and guidance regarding fees for parks, recreation and aquatic programs to the City Council.

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

PLANNING:  This Commission consists of five (5) members, all of whom reside within the City limits or the Urban Growth Boundary.  The Commission is charged with the following responsibilities:

  1. Recommend to the City Council issues related to Comprehensive Plan amendments; zoning and rezoning; public road dedications and vacations; street naming and renaming; and Ordinance adoptions related to land use or development issues.
  2. Render a final decision, unless appealed to the City Council, in connection with "non-administrative" land use applications including, but not limited to, subdivisions, conditional use permits, variances and appeals of administrative decisions.

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

URBAN RENEWAL ADVISORY COMMISSION (URAC): An individual appointed as a member of the Commission shall be an interested party actively interested in curing and preventing conditions of blight and improving the physical, economic and social conditions within the Urban Renewal District.  The Commission shall consider, prioritize, and recommend policies to the Urban Renewal Agency dedicated to the revitalization of the Urban Renewal District.  This Commission recommends to the Urban Renewal Agency that the Agency invest in public improvements and public/private development partnerships that will benefit and enhance the Urban Renewal District and facilitate the development of commercial and industrial parts of the District to create jobs and income which will provide economic support to the District.

This Commission currently has zero vacancies at this time.

Applications may be found HERE or you can obtain a copy from Keri Quinn, Assistant to the City Manager, on the Second Floor of City Hall, 1000 Adams Avenue; phone: 962-1309.