Boards & Committees
City Boards and Committees – Fall 2021
Accepting Applications Through September 30
APPLY (link to application)
Committees
Arts & Humanities Committee:
Focuses on matters relating to the arts and encourages the appreciation and participation of City residents in the arts and humanities. Learn more
Emergency Preparedness Committee:
Assists in City planning and preparations for emergency operations and engages residents in how to plan, prepare, and recover from emergencies. Learn more
Grants Review Committee:
Reviews and recommends grant applications for the Community “Quality of Life” Grants awarded annually to nonprofits and business associations that serve City residents by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences. Learn more
Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team):
Supports City efforts to achieve Sustainable Maryland certification, which in turn helps the City Council to meet its environmental goals and priorities. Learn more
Recreation and Community Engagement Committee:
Concentrates on serving the varied recreation needs of our residents, emphasizing youth, seniors, and diverse resident backgrounds, on uses of City facilities, and on a wider range of related community needs such as health, leisure, education, enrichment programs. Learn more
City Boards
City Boards and Commissions have specific regulatory or quasi-judicial responsibilities in an area of City law.
Board of Elections:
Plans and conducts all our City elections in coordination with the City Clerk. The Board also does voter education and outreach in our community and reviews City election laws and procedures after an election to recommend changes as needed. Learn more
Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs (COLTA):
Represents the interest of tenants and landlords and hears cases in matters affecting rental housing in Takoma Park. Learn more
Ethics Commission:
Certifies compliance with state and city ethics requirements hears complaints on potential City ethics violations and advises on how the City ethics law applies to covered individuals. Learn more
Tree Commission:
Hears appeals of City tree permit decisions in keeping with the City’s goal to preserve, protect and promote our community’s urban forest. Learn more
City Boards and Committees Not Accepting Applications
Youth Council:
Gives our youth (grades 7-12) a way to learn about local government through active participation in the system and helps the City Council address problems and goals of youth in our community. Learn more
Noise Control Board:
Hears two-party complaints under the City Noise Ordinance and advises on noise control issues. Learn more
Opportunity to Serve*
We welcome residents with all different types of experience and knowledge and seek diverse members to represent our community. Your experience living in Takoma Park and interacting with our community on a daily basis and/or working in your chosen profession can give you what you need to be a part of a board or committee.
City boards and committees are appointed by and report to the City Council and focus on a particular priority area. These groups can:
- Leverage residents’ technical expertise and lived experiences to inform City policies and programs;
- Provide tangible recommendations or help fulfill City regulatory functions;
- Ensure that the Council has regular and timely information to use when needed; and
- Create an opportunity to engage residents on issues that are important to them, as well as assist in community education and outreach.
*Feel free to sit in on a meeting in August or September to see if it is a good fit for your interests and skills.
Compensation
Board and committee members will receive $40 for each meeting attended.
Orientation and Training
After the appointment, all board and committee members will attend an orientation and training session.
Code of Conduct
The City Council has adopted a Code of Conduct to be followed by all committee members.
How to Apply
To apply for an appointment, complete and submit an application: Application for City Committee
Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are welcome to apply. If you need an accommodation, please contact Jessie Carpenter, City Clerk, at 301-891-7267 or jessiec@takomaparkmd.gov.
Open Meetings
All meetings of the City Council and Council-appointed boards, committees, commissions, and task-forces are open to the public unless noted otherwise. All are subject to the Maryland Open Meetings Act.
