Citizen advisory groups have been established by the City Council to capitalize on the expertise and commitment of community members and promote citizen involvement with city government.

How to apply

Appointments to most boards and commissions are made by the mayor, subject to the confirmation of the city council. Openings occur frequently, and applications are available at the administrative office on the second floor of the City Hall Building at 250 Madison Street. You may also download an application below or get further information by calling the City Clerk at 379-5045 or 379-5083.

Click here to download application as a PDF document

Arts Commission

Meets 1st Monday, 1:00 p.m., City Hall, 1st floor conference rm. The Arts Commission promotes and encourages public programs to further the development and public awareness of and interest in the arts, and to act in an advisory capacity to the city government in connection with the artistic and cultural development of the city. Members are selected based on their knowledge and expertise with respect to the performing, visual and literary arts. The many activities sponsored by the Arts Commission include an annual one-act play contest, and juried art exhibitions. http://www.olympus.net/community/ptarts

Climate Action Committee (CAC)

CAC Homepage - Coming Soon

The CAC is a joint committee of the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County created in January 2008 as an advisory group to address the problems and opportunities posed by global warming/climate change.  A joint County/City resolution has set a goal to reduce green house gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050.  The principal role of the CAC is to create a draft Climate Action Plan, to be approved by the City Council and the BOCC, with a specific focus on reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The plan shall include, at a minimum: 

“1. Preliminary reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions for years prior to 2050,
2.  A set of strategies and relative priorities,
3.  Climate Action Plan implementation steps,
4.  A monitoring plan including quantifiable benchmarks, and
5.  Recommended amendments to the county and city codes and comprehensive plans in accordance with the Climate Action Plan strategies”.

The committee meets at least once a month, with a maximum of 15 members from many walks of life in the community. 

Civil Service Commission

Meets 1st Wednesday, 3:00 p.m., City Hall The Civil Service Commission administers the Civil Service system pursuant to state law and local Civil Service Rules for employees of the Police and Fire Departments. This includes establishing dates and types of employment and promotional examinations and certifying employment lists.  Eligibility requirements include United States citizenship, a minimum of three years as a City resident, and status as a registered voter in Jefferson County.

Historic Preservation Committee

Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 3:00 p.m., City Hall, Conf. Rm. 3 The HPC serves as the local review board for proposals to develop, demolish, or change development within the historic district and provide recommendations to the Department of Development Services to assist in city review of such projects. The committee also prepares and proposes revisions to design review guidelines for evaluating development proposals. They also provide information to the public on incentives for preservation of historic resources, review and comment on conduct and regulation of land use, development and municipal improvements within the historic district, provide design guidelines and recommend resources to owners of property within the historic district and officially recognize excellence in the rehabilitation of historic buildings.

Library Advisory Board

Meets 3rd Monday, 4:00 PM, Pink House, 1256 Lawrence Street The board acts as an advisory board to the city manager and city council concerning the operations of the Port Townsend Library. The board offers advisory opinions concerning : the supervision, care and custody of library property; the annual operations budget; purchase of supplies and materials for library patrons; hours of operation for public use of the library. The board also develops policy for the selection of books, periodicals, maps, materials, and information services for the library's operation. In addition, the board may make recommendations to the city council regarding long-range planning of facilities and funding-based proposals. 

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)

Meets Quarterly, 2nd Tuesday, 3:00 p.m., City Hall, Conf. Rm. 3
Click here for agendas and minutes
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is authorized to engage in tourism planning and promotion activities; the committee reviews applications for tourism promotion and tourism-related facility project and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the projects the city should fund through lodging tax receipts. Membership consists of one elected official of the city, four representatives of businesses or entities required to collect the lodging tax, four representatives involved in activities funded by the lodging tax, and two at-large members.

Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board

Meets 1st Thursday, 4:30 p.m., City Hall Conf. room 1
Click here for NMTAB homepage

The Board's purpose is:

1. Advising the City Council on the planning, funding and maintenance of the City's non-motorized transportation facilities, including implementation of the the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
2. Promotion of walking and bicycling for both recreation and transportation throughout the city.
3. Sponsoring a wide range of volunteer non-motorized transportation projects such as
   a.  Neighborhood trail-building work parties organized throughout the year
   b.  Designing a pedestrian trail and bicycle guide map for Port Townsend
   c.  Developing a plan for bicycle parking throughout Port Townsend.

Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board

The Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board advises City Council on important issues related to maintaining and expanding the City's parks, open spaces and recreational opportunities.  The Advisory Board provides review, advice and recommendations on the implementation of the Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan; and issues that are important to maintaining and expanding the City's commitment to tree conservation and legislation regarding the City's street and park trees. 

The Advisory Board is currently seeking members.   For full information and requirements for membership, see Resolution 09-029.   Download application here.

PEG Access Coordinating Committee

Meets 2nd Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Gael Stuart Bldg., 1610 Blaine St. The Committee sets administrative procedures and advises the City Council and School Board on policy matters related to use of the local public, educational and governmental (PEG) telecommunications production facility.

Planning Commission

Meets 2nd & 4th Thursday, City Hall Council Chambers
Click here for agendas and minutes
 The Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on land use cases, growth management and other short and long term planning issues. The Commission conducts public hearings on various development and legislative proposals and forwards findings to the City Council for final action.