City Council Boards & Commissions

Albany Arts Commission

This Commission implements the City Hall Arts Master Plan and advises the City Council on issues related to public art. Their projects include raising funds for the purchase of City Hall art, overseeing rotating and temporary exhibits of art, developing a community strategy for public art, and selecting or rejecting art offered for donation.

Albany Revitalization Agency (ARA)

The City Council serves as the ARA.

Albany-Millersburg Joint Water/Wastewater Management Committee

Subcommittee to oversee the City of Millersburg/City of Albany Joint Water/Wastewater Project.

ARA Budget Committee

The Budget Committee serves as the ARA Budget Committee.

Audit Committee

Purpose: Aid City staff in the selection of highly qualified City auditors and to assure clear and complete transmittal of audit results to the City Council and the community.

Responsibilities:

  1. Review with the Finance Department and/or staff those firms or individuals proposed for appointment as City auditors in succeeding years.
  2. Recommend to the City Council of the appointment of those certified public accountants whom the Committee deems best suited to perform the annual City audit.
  3. Discuss, as necessary, with the City auditors, any additional or particular areas of inquiry or audit focus which they deem desirable or appropriate.
  4. Receive, consider, and transmit to the Albany City Council the results of the annual City audit.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission

This Commission advises the City Council on major issues related to bicycle and pedestrian transportation and safety. Their projects include assistance with the transportation master plan, bicycle and pedestrian safety education in the grade schools, and identifying appropriate bicycle routes and hazards within the city. They also encourage local businesses to install bicycle parking facilities, instigate the installation of appropriate bicycle-related signs along roadways, and coordinate the bicycle valet parking at the River Rhythms summer concerts.

Budget Committee

The major responsibility of the Budget Committee is to oversee the development of each year's budget, to take public comment and testimony on the proposed budget, and to recommend adoption of the approved budget to the City Council. The Budget Committee is extremely active in March, April, and May. The Committee reviews each department's proposed budget, recommends funding levels for non-City agencies, and sets the City's budget policies. Required by ORS 294.336. All nominees must be formally appointed by the full City Council, and Budget Committee members must be residents of the city of Albany. One person nominated by each Councilor; one representative at-large appointed by the Mayor.

Building Board of Appeals

The Building Board of Appeals provides guidance to the Building Division in interpreting state and local building codes. The Board meets when there are conflicts over the applicability of the building code or to discuss the suitability of particular building materials.

Central Albany Revitalization Area (CARA) Advisory Board

The City Council serves on the CARA Advisory Board, and each member appoints a counterpart member on the CARA Advisory Board. Advisory Board members generally live or own property or businesses in the Central Albany area. Councilor Jeff Christman is Vice Chair.

City Tree Commission

The City Tree Commission advises the City Council about matters involving trees in the community, especially trees in public spaces and in the City right-of-way. The Commission has completed the City Tree Master Plan. The Commission also oversees the City's Heritage Tree program; recommends policies for the planting, removal, and care of public trees; and oversees the community's Arbor Week celebration. Members must be residents of the city of Albany or own property in the city or maintain a business within the city limits.

Hearings Board

The Hearings Board is a smaller decision making group that conducts land use public hearings. This group is convened when a public hearing is required by our Code, but public interest is low. Three Planning Commissioners sit on this Board, plus another serves as an official alternate. Any of the Planning Commissioners may serve at a specific meeting to achieve a quorum. A quorum of this group is two people.

Human Relations Commission

The Human Relations Commission is established by the Albany City Council to promote harmonious relations among the citizens of Albany. It is created to recommend programs, activities, ordinances, expenditures, and other appropriate governmental activities which will serve the goal of maintaining respectful interactions within our community. (Ord. 5671 § 1, 2007; Ord. 5665 § 1, 2007).

Landmarks Advisory Commission

The Landmarks Advisory Commission reviews applications for new construction, exterior alteration, additions, and demolitions for the buildings in Albany's three National Register of Historic Districts (over 600 buildings) as well as roughly 80 additional buildings outside of the districts on the local historic inventory. The LAC also assists the preservation planner in planning and putting on educational workshops and other preservation-related activities such as the Historic Preservation Awards.

Library Board

The Library Board advises the City Council on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, activities, and facilities of both libraries. The Board also recommends to the City Council policies on Library services. The Board is responsible for resolving questions dealing with intellectual freedom challenges and administers special trusts established for the Library. Required by ORS 357.465 Members must be residents of the city of Albany.

Parks & Recreation Commission

The Parks & Recreation Commission provides advice to the City Council about major programs, activities, and policies related to parks and recreational activities in the community. In addition, the Commission oversees the implementation of the Parks Master Plan and recommends development of facilities in the City's parks system.

Planning Commission

Each City Council member nominates one member from his/her own ward, and the Mayor nominates three members, one from each ward. Nominees are appointed by the City Council. Nominees must be residents of the ward they represent, and there are limits on the number of members engaged in the same form of employment. The Planning Commission oversees implementation of the City's Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission reviews and approves or denies applications for various types of land uses. In addition, the Planning Commission is currently overseeing the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan as part of the state-mandated Periodic Review process.

Public Safety Commission

The Public Safety Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to funding, operation, maintenance, facilities and other aspects of the Albany Fire and Police departments. Its mission is to help those departments maintain high standards and deliver the highest quality emergency safety services to the residents of Albany.

Senior Center Endowment Committee

The Senior Center Endowment Committee advises the City Council on the long-term financial stability of the Senior Center. In addition, the Committee advises Senior Center staff on fundraising strategies for the endowment and participates in fundraising activities such as the sales of River Rhythms T-shirts and posters during the summer concert series.

Traffic Safety Commission

The Traffic Safety Commission provides guidance to the City Council on all traffic safety issues. They consider items referred to them by the Council and issues from the public including excessive speeds, speed zones, new stop signs, traffic control devices, striping changes, and parking restrictions.

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Boards & Commissions