Applicants Sought for Springfield Boards, Committees, and Commissions
The City of Springfield is seeking dedicated community members who want to offer their talents, experience, and perspectives to help make a difference in the Springfield. Community members are needed for a variety of Springfield boards, committees, and commission opportunities. Applications are available by visiting the City’s website.
The Springfield City Council goals include fostering an environment that values diversity and inclusion. Springfield is a diverse community, and individuals of all ages, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender, and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply.
The deadline to apply for any of the boards, committees, and commissions is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023. Applicants are asked to complete and submit their application electronically, if possible, and email it to cmomail@springfield-or.gov or deliver a hard copy to the City Manager’s Office located at 225 5th Street, Suite 401, Springfield, OR 97477.
Applicants will be interviewed during the months of October and November 2023 by the Springfield City Council during one of the four Work Sessions scheduled. Dates and times to be announced.
BUDGET COMMITTEE
The City is seeking applications for one open position on the Springfield Budget Committee, and one open position on the Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) Budget Committee.
Applicants are being sought to represent Ward 3 and the SEDA Glenwood district. Please visit https://bit.ly/WardMapSpfldOR to see a Ward map.
- One position is open to Ward 3 residents. The person appointed will serve a three-year term that will expire on December 31, 2026.
- One position is open to SEDA Glenwood. The person appointed will serve a three-year term which will expire on December 31, 2026.
Background
The Budget Committee reviews the City’s financial plans, including the annual budget. The 12-member committee is comprised of the six elected City Councilors and six members from the community. Appointed by the City Council, each of the committee’s six community members must live in the ward they represent. Meetings are typically held between April and June, but the committee may also meet on an “as needed” basis.
SEDA Budget Committee is comprised of the 12 members of the City of Springfield’s Budget Committee along with the Springfield area County Commissioner, and a representative from both the Glenwood and Downtown districts. Appointed by the City Council, each representative must own a business or live within the Glenwood or downtown area. Meetings are typically held between April and June, but the committee may also meet on an “as needed” basis.
Additional Information: Budget Officer, Neil Obringer at 541.736.1032 or nobringer@springfield-or.gov
HISTORIC COMMISSION
The City is accepting applications to fill one open position on the Historic Commission. The qualifications for membership on the Historic Commission include being appointees of Willamalane Park & Recreation District or Springfield School District #19; or individuals who meet professional qualifications in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, archeology, or related fields who live within the Metropolitan Area General Plan boundaries; or residents, electors, or property owners within Springfield.
The candidate appointed to this position is eligible to serve up to two, four-year terms.
Background
The Springfield Historic Commission is appointed by the City Council and serves to advance the identification, protection, preservation, education, and interpretation of Springfield’s cultural heritage and history. As such, the Commission organizes projects and programs to encourage stewardship of the community’s historic assets. The Commission also reviews development and restoration requests within the Washburne Historic District and for other Springfield historic resources. Historic Commission monthly meetings are currently held on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 4:30-6 p.m. Meeting details can be found at SpringfieldOregonSpeaks.org.
Additional Information: Senior Planner, Tom Sievers at 541.726.2333 or tsievers@springfield-or.gov
PLANNING COMMISSION
The City of Springfield is accepting applications for one position on its seven-member Planning Commission. The position being filled is a partial term, beginning January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2025.
Background
Planning Commissioners make final decisions on a variety of land use matters including zone changes, variances, and discretionary use requests. The Commission also advises the City Council on legislative matters such as comprehensive plan amendments; transportation and infrastructure planning; and amendments to the Springfield Development Code. The Commission serves as the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement to support and enhance the opportunities for citizens to understand and become involved with the development and implementation of policies that direct and regulate the use, re-use, and development of land within the urban growth boundary.
The Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month. See SpringfieldOregonSpeaks.org for more information about these meetings. See https://bit.ly/PCSpfld to learn more about the charge and membership of the Commission.
Additional information: Comprehensive Planning Manager, Sandy Belson at 541.736.7135 or sbelson@springfield-or.gov or Administrative Specialist, Sarah Weaver at 541.726.3653 or sweaver@springfield-or.gov
SPRINGFIELD ARTS COMMISSION
The City is accepting applications for two vacancies for the Springfield Arts Commission. The recruitment is for four-year terms that run through December 2027. The Springfield Arts Commission is seeking applicants committed to enriching our community through art.
Background
Commissioners provide opportunities for artistic creation, exhibits, performances, events, and promote cooperation among local organizations to make art accessible for everyone. Commission members are required to attend evening meetings the second Tuesday of the month, September through June, as well as plan, develop, and assist with commission projects and activities. No fewer than seven of the nine members appointed to the Springfield Arts Commission must reside, own property, or own a business in Springfield (97477, 97478, or 97482).
Additional Information: Community Engagement Specialist, Mindy Linder, 541.744.3388 or mlinder@springfield-or.gov
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The City is accepting applications from Springfield Residents for five voting member positions on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). Candidates will be appointed to serve a three-year term beginning in January 2024. Applicants must be Springfield residents and should have an interest in promoting walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation in Springfield. The City would like to have diverse representation on the committee, including but not limited to youth, seniors, people of different races and ethnicities, people with mobility, hearing, sight, or cognitive disabilities, and mountain, BMX, and electric assist bicycle riders.
Background
The Committee advises City of Springfield staff and partner agencies on bicycle and pedestrian policies, programs, and facilities. The Committee meets approximately six times each year during even numbered months, with subcommittee meetings on the alternating months. Learn more about BPAC and its past efforts at https://bit.ly/BPACSpfld.
Additional Information: Transportation Planner, Drew Larson at 541.726.3661 or alarson@springfield-or.gov
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The City is accepting applications for three vacancies on the Community Development Advisory Committee. The vacant positions are at-large appointments with four-year terms. The terms will begin January 1, 2024, and end December 31, 2027. Applicants must be residents of the City of Springfield or reside within Springfield’s Urban Growth Boundary. Applications for the committee are encouraged from lower-income earners, residents of lower-income neighborhoods, racial and ethnic minorities, senior residents, persons with disabilities and female heads of households.
Background
The volunteer committee advises the City Council on matters related to the City’s housing and community development activities. Activities are funded annually by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Projects funded with HUD funds address the priority needs identified in the Eugene-Springfield five-year Consolidated Plan and serve primarily low and moderate-income residents of the City. The committee meets two to four times a year. They assist with reviewing annual plans for use of funds, including evaluating applications for funding, soliciting, and receiving written comments from the public, conducting public hearings, and making recommendations to City Council.
Additional Information: Community Development Analyst, Erin Fifield, 541.726.2302 or efifield@springfield-or.gov
SPRINGFIELD HISTORY MUSEUM COMMITTEE
The City is seeking applicants with strong interest in the history and culture of Springfield to fill two vacancies on its Museum advisory committee. The volunteers appointed will serve a three-year term that will expire on December 31, 2026. Requirements include committee members are required to attend monthly meetings, as well as plan, develop, and assist with Museum projects and activities. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Preference will be given to applicants who live or own a business in Springfield, which includes 97477, 97478, or 97482 zip codes.
Background
The Museum’s mission is to foster an awareness of the history of Springfield, provide a link between our past and present, and promote an appreciation of the diverse communities that call Springfield and rural East Lane County home. The committee is responsible for making recommendations for Museum exhibits and programs, drafting policies and procedures, and assisting with community outreach and publicity. Museum Committee meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
Additional Information: Museum Curator, Madeline McGraw at 541.726.3677 or mmcgraw@springfield-org
POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The City is seeking applications to fill one volunteer position, specifically the Cultural Minority Community position. The police advisory committee consists of four neighborhood citizen-at-large representatives, one local business community representative, one cultural minority representative, one faith community representative, one School District 19 representative, and one Willamalane Parks and Recreation District representative. Committee appointments are for a four-year term.
Background
The nine-member police advisory committee was initially established in 1994 as the Police Planning Task Force to develop a long-range plan for providing police services. A plan was completed and adopted by City Council in April 1996 and updated in 2002 and 2010. To date, much of the long-range plan has been Springfield Municipal Jail. The committee has continued for the purpose of providing citizen input to the Chief of Police on long-range planning, plan implementation strategies, and development of police department operational policies and procedures. The committee generally meets on the first Thursday of every other month.
Additional Information: Management Analyst, Tiffany Monroe at 541.726.3721 or tmonroe@springfield-or.gov
SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
The City is seeking three dynamic Springfield residents, or property owners to join the Springfield Public Library Board to help the Library fulfill its mission to provide library services for personal enrichment, enjoyment, and lifelong learning for all Springfield residents. We are recruiting for two full four-year terms that run through December 2027 and one partial term expiring December 31, 2024.
Background
The Library Board acts in an advisory capacity for the City Manager and City Council with respect to opinions and recommendations for future Library development, expansion of Library service, and Library policy. The Library Board meets the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Additional Information: Library Director, Emily David at 541.726.2235 or edavid@springfield-or.gov
