City Council FYI: Volunteer with us
Many of us volunteer for many different reasons. Asked weekly if I enjoy serving as a Steamboat Springs City council member in our community, my answer is a resounding “Yes.” Community members say they are thankful to council members for taking on this responsibility as “they would never be able to do what we do.” My response to that comment is, you probably do something that I would never feel comfortable doing, so, thank you for all you do in our community, too.
Webster’s definition of a volunteer says it is a person who chooses freely to do or offer to do something. Our community has so many options for you to get involved, from the arts, child care, education, health and human services, housing and the list goes on.
Did you know that you may also get involved in city government without being elected to the post? The city has nearly a dozen boards and commissions that advise the city and council across a multitude of areas from historic preservation to housing and from planning to parks. So, when a committee/commission opening comes up, a notice goes in the paper and the openings are posted at steamboatsprings.net/apply. You simply fill out a short application, meet with council members for five minutes, then you know soon if you are appointed to that commission. It’s pretty easy.
If you don’t have a lot of time to give, consider the Ice Rink Advisory Committee, which meets quarterly, or the Accommodations Tax: 2A Trails Committee, which gets together when necessary. The Yampa Valley Airport Commission convenes bi-monthly and provides policy direction to the city and county through the Airport Managers of Yampa Valley Regional Airport and Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field regarding operation, capital improvements and budgets.
Have a little more time to volunteer? Here’s a brief overview of the committees/commissions which meet monthly that might be of interest to you.
- Board of Adjustment: reviews all requests for variances to the Community Development Code — third Thursday, if necessary.
- Historic Preservation Committee: considers requests for design review, reviews nominations of buildings for listing on the city’s Historic Register of Historic Places and more — second Wednesday.
- Local Marketing District: provides funding for air service/marketing for the surrounding municipalities, counties and businesses — monthly.
- Urban Redevelopment Authority Advisory Committee: makes advisory recommendations to Steamboat Springs Redevelopment Authority on matters related to the implementation of the Base Area Reinvestment Plan — first Thursday.
- Yampa Valley Housing Authority: Plans, finances, acquires, constructs, manages and operates housing for families of low to moderate income and programs for employees located within the jurisdiction of the Authority — second Thursday.
If you have more time to get involved, check out the following options.
- Golf Management: advises council and staff on matters pertaining to the Haymaker Golf Course — second and fourth Wednesday.
- Parks & Recreation Commission: advises City Council in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation programs and services — second and fourth Wednesday.
- Planning Commission: all about planning from codes to variances for a development application within the city — second and fourth Thursday meetings and second and fourth Monday work sessions when necessary.
So, as you can see, there’s something for everyone, and your involvement would be great for many reasons. Your constructive comments, suggestions and ideas, along with a new set of eyes reviewing what these great committees have done in the past and are planning for the future, does effect each and every one of us in our community.
Whether you decide to volunteer for one year or several terms, your participation will have a lasting impact on our community. Members of each board/commission are posted online. Ask them why they serve, understand their focus and hear how they are helping the community they reside in through their service on that particular board/commission.
Right now, individuals were interviewed for the Airport Commission, and the city is asking for volunteers to fill alternate positions on the Parks & Recreation Commission and Board of Adjustment. Come spring 2019, the city will be looking to fill expiring terms, so keep an eye out and apply.
This is an open invitation to be a part of our future, working together to ensure our community is the best it can be. See you soon.
Robin Crossan is a member of Steamboat Springs City Council.
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