The City of Paris is seeking citizens to volunteer to serve on all of its standing boards, commissions, and committees. The primary purpose of most of these committees is to advise the Paris City Council and city staff on issues that come before the committees; however, some of the committees also have decision-making authority. These committees are critical to the operation of the city and are also an excellent way for a citizen to gain in-depth knowledge of how the City works. There are 13 different committees covering a wide range of topics, from airport to zoning, the band to the library, and several more. Persons interested in serving on a board, commission, or committee must first complete an application indicating their interest and give a brief description of any special knowledge, education, or experience relevant to the committee they are interested in. Applications are available at the bottom of this page or at City Hall Annex, located at 150 1st Street S.E.
04-05-2013 - At the current time, we are accepting applications for the following board vacancies:
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD
This board acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council regarding Cox Field, its airfield and business operations, facilities, long-range planning, and special events.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
BAND COMMISSION
This commission is responsible for the organization, discipline, membership, and duties of the members of the Municipal Band and the Leaders or Instructors thereof, and may regulate same by such rules or bylaws as they may deem it necessary to pass; provided, that no rule or bylaw or amendment of same shall be in force or effect until the same has been submitted to and approved by the City Council. Membership is reserved for a representative of the Visitors and Convention Council of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, one active member of the Band, and three members to be appointed at-large. Must be a resident citizen of the City of Paris.
TWO VACANCIES – BOTH AT-LARGE, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION
This commission evaluates and declares structures dangerous or substandard and determines the remedy for having the structure comply with codes and ordinances. Members must be residents of the city and, as nearly as possible, represent each council district.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
This commission adopts rules and investigates matters related to enforcement of Civil Service regulations for firefighters and police officers, and hears appeals from disciplinary actions. Members must have good moral character, resident of the city for more than three years, be over 25 years of age, and not have held any public office within the preceding three years.
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
This commission adopts rules and procedures; adopts identification criteria and rules for delineation of historic district boundaries; conducts and administers historic resource surveys; recommends designation of districts and landmarks; establishes committees as needed; produces and distributes minutes of meetings; develops public outreach/education/awareness programs; approves/disapproves certificates of appropriateness; provides design and other reasonable forms of advice to owners and tenants of historic properties in the certificate of appropriateness review process; recommends acquisition of endangered historic resources to the City Council; submits an annual report to City Council; prepares and promotes design guidelines for landmarks/districts. Membership is reserved for an architect, a member of a local Historical Society, a member of the Main Street Advisory Board; an owner of or resident or tenant in a landmark property or property in a Historic District; and three at large members.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
Note: one vacancy requires a member of the Main Street Advisory Board and the other vacancy requires an Architect
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PARIS
This board oversees the budget, maintenance, and policies of the Housing Authority of the City of Paris, which consists of several apartment communities as well as duplexes and houses in the city limits of Paris. Members must be residents of the city and cannot be officers or employees of the City of Paris. Additionally, one member is required to be a tenant of public housing and serves for only one term; four have two year staggered terms. Term Limits do not apply. These positions are selected by the mayor.
THREE VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
One vacancy requires a tenant
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
This board acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council to study and make recommendations concerning library services, maintenance, and capital improvement projects. Members must be residents of the city, have knowledge of library affairs and a strong interest in library operations, as well as exhibit a genuine appreciation of books.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD
This board advises the City Council and recommends Main Street program policies, goals and objectives. Also recommends guidelines for the refurbishing of buildings in the downtown area, recommends programs to bring patrons into the downtown area, and sponsors advertising for downtown events.
THREE VACANCIES, two terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016, one term is the unexpired term of Fred Green and is from 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2014
Note: one vacancy requires a member of the Historic Preservation Commission
PARIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
This board administers 4A sales tax funds for the promotion and enhancement of job creation and retention and other economic development activities of the City of Paris through development of incentives and short-term and long-term planning.
ONE VACANCY, term is 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
PARIS/LAMAR COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH
This board advises the Health Department Director on health matters and the operation of the Health Department. Members must be residents of Lamar County for a period of more than three years next preceding time of appointment and include three practicing physicians, one practicing dentist and three citizens.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
This commission reviews the requests by property owners for changes in zoning inside the city limits of Paris and makes recommendations to City Council for the approval or disapproval of those requests. Members must be citizens of the City of Paris, taxpayers, and qualified voters.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
This commission reviews requests for traffic control measures and proposes measures designed to minimize traffic safety problems resulting from vehicular traffic in Paris. Members must be residents of the city.
TWO VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
This board hears zoning-related appeals by any person aggrieved or by an officer, department, or board of the municipality affected by the zoning decision of the administrative officer. Must be a resident of the city.
FOUR VACANCIES, terms are 7-1-2013 – 6-30-2016