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General Information about Olympia's
Advisory Committees
Advisory committee participation is an excellent way for Olympia residents and business representatives to offer advice to the City Council and City administration on municipal policies and issues.
While membership on most committees is by Council appointment, there are some exceptions - specifically the Civil Service Commission (appointed by the City Manager), the LEOFF Disability Board (elected and member appointed); the Parking and Business Improvement Area Board/PBIA (elected by ratepayers), and the Chief's Forum (appointed by the Police Chief).
City Council Appointed Committees
Olympia has eight (8) Council appointed committees. In December 2007, the City Council adopted a master ordinance to standardize some of the policies for Olympia's advisory committees, such as number of members, term of office, etc. Each Committee also has an enabling ordinance. In early 2008, each committee's enabling ordinance will be revised so that it is in keeping with provisions of the master ordinance.
With the new master ordinance, most of the positions are now citizen-at-large, without specific affiliations; and a majority of each committee's members must reside in the City of Olympia or Olympia's Urban Growth Area.
Olympia City Council appointed committees:
The City Council recruits and recommends to the Chief of Police appointment of up to seven (7) members on the Chief's Forum.
The City Council appoints one (1) citizen member to each of these community boards:
Applying for City Council Appointed Committees
The City Council has assigned responsibility for advisory committee oversight to the Council's General Government Committee. The General Government Committee, on behalf of the entire Council, accepts applications for open positions in January and February of each year, and makes appointment recommendations to the full City Council following review of applications and personal interviews with qualified candidates.
Most Olympia advisory committees have eleven (11) members, with terms for about 1/3rd of the members ending on March 31 each year.
To be considered, applicants must complete and file Olympia's advisory committee application form by the published date. If you missed the current year deadline, you may submit an application at anytime and it will be considered if openings arise during the calendar year.
Applications are screened for residency and any applicable occupation requirements. Each applicant who meets the requirements is scheduled for a 10-minute informal interview with the City Council's General Government Committee.
In addition to recommending appointees, the Council's General Government Committee hosts an annual orientation for new advisory committee members, reviews advisory committee work plans, and meets annually with Committee chairs. Members of the General Government Committee are available to attend advisory committee meetings as requested by the respective committee.
The City's Communications Manager Cathie Butler (email) serves as a liaison from the City Manager's office to all advisory committees and provides professional staff support to the General Government Committee.
*Please note, applications are considered public documents.
Banner picture: City Manager Steve Hall meets with community and City advisory committee members.
Photo by Thurston Community Television.