Boards & Commissions Description List

The City Council appoints all of the members to the City's boards, commissions, and committees. All terms are three years, except the Budget Committee and Planning Commission, which are four years. Position vacancies are advertised in the City's newsletter, Hello L.O., and the local newspaper. A General Board & Commissions application is posted to our Boards and Commissions Vacancies between April 15 and May 31, interviews are conducted in June, and appointments are made by the Council at their first meeting in July.

For more information about City boards, commissions, and committees, or their meetings, please call Kari Linder in the City Manager's Office at 503-534-4225. View the list of current Boards and Commissions vacancies.

The Public Art Committee of the Lake Oswego Arts Council (www.artscouncillo.org) is responsible for the selection, maintenance and placement of the permanent art collection of the City of Lake Oswego. Members are interviewed by a selection committee comprised of the Lake Oswego City Council and the Foundation for appointment of a three-year term. Members of the committee are landscape architects, docents, art historians and residents who are interested in the art collection of Lake Oswego. Contact the Arts Council office for more information at 503-675-3738.

The Budget Committee reviews and discusses the City's proposed annual budget and then forwards their recommendations to the City Council during a public hearing process. It has seven citizen members in addition to the Mayor and City Council. Agendas and approved minutes are available online.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board advises Council and staff about ways to increase engagement in diverse communities.  It has seven members and two youth members.

The Development Review Commission reviews development proposals and administers procedures and standards to assure that site designs and building improvements are consistent with applicable standards. It has seven citizen members.

The 50+ Advisory Board makes recommendations on matters relating to the needs, interests and quality of life of residents who are 50 years of age and over.

The Historic Resources Advisory Board promotes the historic, educational, architectural, cultural, and economic welfare of the public through identification, preservation, restoration, and protection of Lake Oswego's structures, sites, objects, and districts of historic and cultural interest. It has seven citizen members and one youth member.

The Library Advisory Board recommends written policies to govern the operation, use, and programs of the Library, and makes recommendations with respect to services and facilities. It has seven citizen members and one youth member.

The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board advises and assist the City Council and staff in the provision, operation, conservation and protection of the City's parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, community centers, programs and opportunities, natural resources and environmental quality for the health and well-being of the residents of Lake Oswego. It has nine citizen members and two youth members.

The Planning Commission holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council concerning applications for Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code text and map amendments; coordinates preparation of neighborhood plans; reviews the Capital Improvement Plan for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan; conducts studies and makes recommendations to the Council regarding matters such as growth management, transportation, protection of natural resources, etc.; and encourages citizen involvement in land use matters. It has seven citizen members.

The Sustainability Advisory Board promotes the sustainability of the community as a whole, considering public and private actors and their effects on ecological, economic, and community systems. It is guided by the Sustainability City Principles embodied in the City's 2007 Sustainability Plan. It has nine citizen members and two youth members.

The Transportation Advisory Board reviews and makes recommendations on requests for neighborhood traffic devices; annually reviews proposed amendments to the City's Capital Improvement Plan; makes recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding the nature and prioritization of street projects; provides advice on the implementation of the Transportation System Plan; provides advice on transportation issues. It has seven citizen members and one youth member.

The Tourism Advisory Committee purpose is to advise the Council and assist staff and other community organizations in implementing tourism strategies. The Committee is also responsible for the oversight and periodic updating of the Tourism Action Plan while providing future recommendations on the expenditure of the City's hotel/motel tax dollars.