Purpose

The Building Advisory and Appeals Board hears appeals and makes determinations relative to alternate methods of construction and alternate materials pertaining to the Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Dangerous Buildings, and Housing Codes of the City of Escondido. This includes:

• Considering proposed use of alternate construction materials
• Hearing appeals regarding refusal of building official to issue a permit
• Considering appeals of notice to abate a public nuisance
• Interpreting various city codes

Forms Available Online:

• Request for Appeal Hearing

Purpose

The Historic Preservation Commission develops and implements the City Historic Preservation Program under the direction of the City Council, and advises the Council on the responsibilities of being a Certified Local Government and other matters relating to Historic Preservation. Areas of jurisdiction include:

• Maintaining and updating the Escondido Historical Sites Survey
• Recommending and maintaining a program of economic and other incentives
• Reviewing and commenting on applications for local register or landmark designations, Mills Act contracts, major projects involving historic resources or historic districts, and for the demolition of significant historic resources
• Conducting public information, educational, and interpretive programs pertaining to historic resources

Purpose

The Library Board of Trustees provides oversight of library services and advises the City Council, City staff, and the Library Director on the development of plans, policies, and programs that are responsive to community needs. Trustees are empowered to help guide the future direction of library services, provide oversight of the implementation of the professional services contract with Library Systems & Services, and aid in the establishment of performance metrics. Additional areas of focus include:

• Overseeing the implementation of the 5-year strategic plan which was approved by the Board in July 2018;
• Reviewing customer concerns and suggestions;
• Generating public support and participation in library programs;
• Determining expenditures of library trust funds;
• Reviewing and approving policies and fees recommended by staff;
• Coordinating with other library support groups such as Friends of the Library, the Escondido Library Foundation, the Pioneer Room Friends, and the Friends of Literacy Services.

Purpose

The Planning Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council on land use policy planning matters, which guide the future development of the City. The Planning Commission has final approval authority on certain cases and recommends action to the City Council on others. Areas of focus include:

• Conducting a detailed review of all types of development projects and individual land use requests, such as subdivision maps, specific plans, conditional use permits, planned developments, and appeals of administrative approvals, as well as others
• Assisting the Council in the formulation of policies and ordinances that implement the General Plan, such as amendments to the Zoning Code, the adoption of new code sections, changes to the existing zoning text and maps, etc.

Planning Commission By-Laws were enacted in October 2018 to provide a framework for its operation and management. 

Meetings 

• Public Comment
• Agendas
• Minutes
• Audio

Escondido Planning Commission Members are appointed officers identified in Government Code Section 87200 and file statements of economic interests with the Escondido City Clerk's office. Copies of the statements of economic interests filed by the above appointed officers may be obtained by visiting the offices of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) or the Escondido City Clerk. The physical address of the FPPC is 428 J Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, California 95814. The physical address of the Escondido City Clerk's office is 201 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025. The statements of economic interests for some state and local government agency officers may be available in electronic format on the FPPC's website at www.fppc.ca.gov

Purpose

The Public Art Commission functions in an advisory capacity in matters pertaining to art in public places. Areas of focus include:

• Reviewing, selecting, and approving proposed art work
• Devising methods of selecting and commissioning artists with respect to the design, execution, and placement of art
• Advising the City in matters pertaining to the quality, quantity, scope, and style of art
• Advising the City on the amount of public art funds to be expended on specific art projects
• Reviewing and maintaining an inventory of art and advising in matters pertaining to the maintenance, placement, alteration, sale, transfer, ownership, and acceptance or refusal of donations
• Recommending consultants
• Seeking grants, donations, gifts, and other funding methods for art
• Educating the public about art

Purpose

The Transportation & Community Safety Commission is an advisory body to the City Council, the Director of Engineering Services, the Traffic Engineer, and the Police Traffic Division. In addition, its responsibilities cross other department lines, often involving the Planning Department and the Community Services Department. The duties of the Commission include:

• Suggestions for the most practicable means for coordinating the activities of all officers and agencies of the city having authority with respect to the administration or enforcement of traffic regulations
• Receiving complaints having to do with traffic matters
• Making recommendations to the Council, City Traffic Engineer and other City officials on ways and means for improving traffic conditions and the administration/enforcement of traffic regulations
• Review concerns and recommendations from City departments or school districts regarding pedestrian safety, student safety on and around school sites and on safe routes to and from schools
• Making recommendations related to student safety to the respective school district or private school administration, and/or recommendations related to general pedestrian safety to the appropriate City agency.

An application form is available online or you may call the City Clerk's office at 760-839-4617 to request a copy mailed to you.

Applications are active for two years when submitted during the regular recruitment period. Applications received after the regular recruitment period are active and will be considered for an unexpected vacancy until January of even numbered years.

• Application 
• Annual Vacancies - Maddy Act Posting
• Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy - Historic Preservation Commission

The City Council ratifies the Mayor's selections for appointments to the boards and commissions. During January and February of even-numbered years, the City of Escondido solicits applications from persons interested in actively participating in local government. Interviews are conducted by the full Council and each application is carefully reviewed before an appointment is made. Terms of office expire on March 31 of even numbered years. Applications are accepted throughout the year, however, in case additional appointments need to be made due to resignations or other unforeseen circumstances. (Note: Because the Library Board of Trustees has 3-year terms, recruitment is conducted on a yearly basis due to staggered expiration of terms of office.)

• Fill out a separate form for each board or commission in which you are interested. It is to your advantage to tailor each application to the specific board or commission for which you are applying. Emphasize different aspects of your background to match those needed for a particular board or commission.
• Emphasize your talents. Clearly indicate how your particular talents, skills, training, or experience will benefit the board or commission for which you wish to be considered. Be ready to discuss the skills or talent you would bring to a specific board or commission.
• Become familiar with the appropriate board or commission. Attend meetings, talk with board or commission members, or read documents they have developed to acquaint yourself with their work.

Most commissions/board terms of office are four-years. The exception is the Library Board of Trustees (3 years). There are no term limits.

With very few exceptions (i.e., allowing persons that own a business in Escondido or have a certain expertise), applicants must live within the geographic boundaries of the City's General Plan. If you have a question of whether or not you qualify, contact the City Clerk's office at 760-839-4617.

Commission requirements vary (for example, the Public Arts Commission encourages their membership to be involved in the arts; Historic Preservation requires representation from a variety of historic perspectives), but a genuine interest in the commission's mission and in serving the community are the principal requisites for service.

For the most part, serving on a board or commission is a volunteer position with no compensation. Only Planning Commission members receive a meeting stipend of $100 due to the intensive time requirements and lengthy preparation for meetings. Commissioners may receive mileage or travel expense reimbursement if traveling outside Escondido on approved commission business.

The Planning Commission requires a number of hours for meetings and reviewing agenda materials or actual development sites. Other commissions have shorter meetings, but commissioners may find themselves involved in subcommittee or project work at various times during the year. It's best to talk with city staff or another commissioner.

Meeting locations can vary, but most are held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Most commissions meet once a month; Planning Commission meets twice a month.

Each commission has a staff liaison designated to assist with the administrative work of the commission and to serve as the commission's link with other city staff.

All public officials, include commissioners, must file annual conflict of interest forms with the City Clerk's office as required by State law. Those forms are public records which are available to the public upon request. The forms require disclosure of information about income, business and property interests in the community, gifts, and the like. As to income, officials are required to disclose sources, but not exact dollar amounts.

The Brown Act requires that all board and commission meetings be open to the public, be noticed, and be conducted according to a posted agenda. Also, members of the public must be given an opportunity to attend the meeting and comment on all agenda items and any other aspect of the commission's work. A quorum of commissioners cannot discuss their work, either as a group or serially, outside the public meeting setting. Complete Brown Act information is available from the City Clerk and City Attorney.

Recent legislation requires elected officials and appointees to have two hours of training every two years. The City Attorney's office offers this training to all Board and Commission members in compliance with the law.

Commissions are advisory to the City Council, established by ordinance and are involved in programs and activities that advance the group's mission. In addition to their advisory capacity, certain commissions (e.g., Planning, Historic Preservation, etc.) have regulatory functions.

Boards (e.g., Personnel, Library, etc.) also have an advisory role but are charged as well by local or state law with administrative, regulatory or review authority.

The City Clerk and staff in the department are happy to answer questions about commission service and to refer interested residents to commission staff liaisons or their departments for inquiries about specific boards/commissions. The City Clerk can be reached at 760-839-4617 or by e-mail.

Thank you for your interest in serving your community!