Serve Roseville on a Citizen Commission

It’s that time of year when many of us plan out the year ahead.  Perhaps you made New Year’s resolutions.  Maybe you resolved to become more active in your community. 

If community involvement is one of your goals, consider serving on one of Roseville’s six citizen commissions – I do, and it’s a great way to be involved and learn more about your community.

Roseville has six citizen commissions:  Ethics, Human Rights, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission, Police Civil Service, and the Public Works, Environment, and Transportation Commissions.

Commission service is voluntary.  All you need to do is complete an application and then appear before the City Council for an interview. 

After hearing from all the interested citizens, the City Council votes to determine who will serve a three year term.  The three year terms are staggered, meaning every year a few new folks will be added to the various commissions.  You are limited to two terms on any one commission. 

Back to my story:  In early 2009, I learned that Roseville was looking for interested citizens to sit on one of its six commissions.  Despite years toiling in the private sector, I spent my formative years working in state and local government and always harbored a desire to get involved again somehow.  Serving on a commission seemed a great way to get back into public service.

I wanted to serve on the Planning Commission.  I’m just wonky enough to think that meeting monthly with a group of six other like-minded individuals to discuss zoning law, variance applications, conditional use permits, side-yard set-backs, and the like is fun! 

But you don’t need to be an expert to apply – you just have to be interested in the community and the work of a particular commission.  The Planning Commission works closely with city staff, and we all do some homework – reviewing our “packets” of material sent out before each meeting. 

I usually drive around town looking at the various agenda items up close and in person, so I have some context when we meet at City Hall. It also helps to be patient – especially when the public hearings drag on for hours. 

My current three year term on the Planning Commission is coming to a close and I reapplied.  I am looking forward to another three years of work on land-use issues, holding public hearings, and making decisions that will ultimately help guide the City Council in their work.

Learn more about the Commissions.

Apply to a Commission.