Boards and Commissions

The City Council receives advisement from 13 Commissions and Boards comprised of resident volunteers appointed by the City Council. Applications for these bodies are available all year in the City Clerk's office. However, the City Council conducts annual interviews for vacant positions in April/May. Terms are three years in duration and begin on July 1st of each year.

Current Vacancies

Roster of Current Board Members and Commissioners

Online Application

The 13 Commissions and Boards in Palm Springs are:

The Commissions and Boards have been established to:

1. Advise the City Council on matters within their area of interest;
2. Enable more attention to be given to specific issues and problems;
3. Act as a channel of communication between City government and the public;
4. Provide a greater opportunity for citizen participation in the affairs of City government, and,
5. Make decisions on matters where the City Council has granted them authority to act.

Those residents interested in serving on a Commission or Board can obtain information by calling the Office of the City Clerk at (760) 323-8204.

An appointment to a Board or Commission, created by the City Council, is for a term of three years; however, existing commissioners are eligible for an additional reappointment, provided that the total number of years on such Commission or Board shall not exceed seven. Nominations for appointment to a City Board or Commission shall be made by any member of the City Council at a public meeting. Appointees must be residents and registered voters at the time of, and during, their appointment. All appointees are subject to financial disclosure. Some commissions have additional qualifiers.

The "recruitment" period for the annual appointment process is conducted in the spring. The Council is looking for candidates who demonstrate by their background, experience and education they will be enthusiastic and knowledgeable commissioners who will exercise sound judgment. Other factors in the selection include attendance at commission meetings prior to being interviewed, and candidates who reflect the social, ethnic and cultural diversity in Commission membership. Applicants may apply for no more than two Commissions.

To assist you in selecting the area in which your qualifications may best be utilized, the following is a brief description of the responsibilities and/or authority given to each of the City's standing Boards and Commissions. Information about the City's ad hoc committees can be obtained upon request.

BOARD AND COMMISSION DESCRIPTIONS

Administrative Appeals Board
A five-member board whose members meet on-call, as needed. This Board was established to hear appeals on actions taken by an administrative officer or administrative agency of the City relating to ministerial enforcement of the provisions of the Municipal Code. The Office of the City Clerk provides staff support, (760) 323-8204.

Airport Commission
A nineteen-member commission whose members meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Conference Room on the second floor of the Terminal Building.  The Commission advises the Council on matters concerning the Palm Springs Airport.  Included within its scope are the areas of acquisition, development, financing and lease arrangements, present and future operation plans and budget with a profit and loss statement. Staff support is provided by the Department of Aviation, (760) 318-3804.

Board of Appeals
A five-member board, with no specific terms, comprised of building industry experts, whose prime responsibilities are to determine the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction and to provide reasonable interpretations of the Building code and Fire codes. Members are on-call to meet when there is business to conduct. The Director of Building and Safety calls the meetings and provides staff support, (760) 323-8242.

Historic Site Preservation Board
A seven-member board whose members meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. This Board was established to nominate and recommend to City Council, potential historic sites and the designation of historic districts within the City. Responsibilities also include designating sites for plaques within the City. Staff support is provided by the Planning Department, (760) 323-8270.             Historic Preservation and the HSPB

Human Rights Commission
A nine-member commission whose members meet on the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. This Commission was formed to promote improved relations, civic peace, intergroup understanding, and the full acceptance, respect, and participation of all persons in all aspects of community life so that all will be equal in the eyes of each other. The Commission members provide volunteer hours in the accomplishment of the work of the Commission. Responsibilities include developing community education programs, investigating and mediating instances of discrimination of groups or individuals. Staff support is provided by the Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations, (760) 323-8255.

Library Board
A five-member board whose members meet on the last Friday of each month at 3:00 p.m. at the Library. The Board reviews and amends library policy, reviews progress reports, discusses immediate and long-range library planning, prepares an annual budget, administers the Library Trust Fund, and prepares an annual report for the City Council and State Library. Staff support is provided by the City Librarian, (760) 322-8375.

Parks and Recreation Commission
A 10-member commission, including one non-voting member from the Palm Springs Unified School District, whose members meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. in the Leisure Center Conference Room. The Commission functions in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters relating to existing and proposed human services programs, planning and monitoring of parks and recreational services, operations of the municipal golf course, special events, and leisure services programs and activities. The Parks and Recreation Department provides staff support, (760) 323-8265.

Personnel Board
A five-member board, two chosen by the City Council, two by secret ballot of the City employees, and one by the other four members.  It meets on an as-needed basis.  This Board hears appeals by any City employee in the competitive service relative to any disciplinary action, dismissal, demotion or violation of Personnel Rules, examines witnesses under oath with power of subpoena, makes recommendations on amendments to the personnel rules and on any matter of personnel administration within the limits of a request of the Council or City Manager. The Human Resources Department provides staff support, (760) 323-8216.

Planning Commission
A seven-member commission whose members meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, and study session the first Wednesday, at 2 p.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.  This Commission reviews applications and construction plans for development within the City.  It further reviews and recommends action on all matters concerning the City's General Plan, Capital Improvement Program, zoning regulations and environmental matters.  On items requiring public hearings, it receives public testimony and considers public opinion. Most of the Commission's decisions are final, and are subject to appeal to the City Council. Staff support is provided by the Planning Department, (760) 323-8245.      Planning Commission links

Public Arts Commission
A seven-member commission whose members meet on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. This Commission is responsible for procuring and placing visual art in and around the City of Palm Springs.  Staff support is provided by the Community and Economic Development Department, (760) 778-8408.

Rent Review Commission
A five-member commission, which does not have regularly scheduled meetings, but meets as-needed. This Commission is empowered to hear and decide petitions for hardship rent increases, interpret the rent control ordinance of the City, rule upon the propriety of actions or proposed actions under the terms of the ordinance, and make recommendations to the City Council on matters relating to rent control. The decisions of this group are final and may not be appealed to the City Council.  Staff support is provided by the Community and Economic Development Department, (760) 323-8264.

Sustainability Commission
An eleven-member commission whose members meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.  The Commission reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on issues relating to energy and natural resources conservation, educational programs and natural resource issues including water conservation, air pollution, waste management and recycling.  Staff support is provided by the Manager of Sustainability, (760) 323-8214.

VillageFest Board
A seven-member board whose members meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.  The Board was established to review and approve VillageFest vendors, interpret and apply rules and regulations approved by the City Council, suspend or revoke permits, and advise the City Council on matters relating to VillageFest. The VillageFest Coordinator assigned to the Parks and Recreation Department provides staff support, (760) 320-3781.

Back to top