A City of Boards

While the city officially says it has “more than 60” boards and commissions, some are temporary (like the Green Building Task Force), some are intergovernmental boards on which the city appoints a minority of members (like the TCAD board of directors), and some are the boards of independent nonprofits (like Arts Center Stage). These have been omitted here, leaving 51 panels. The B&Cs are grouped by the department they work with; each has a designated staff liaison, but these change frequently, so we’ve left out the names. Unless otherwise noted, each board has nine members, one nominated by each council member and two by consensus. We’ve noted any prerequisites or seats set aside for specific groups.

Meeting information is as last reported on the city clerk’s Web site, but always check first.

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Administration

Finance and Administrative Services Dept.

Oversees the sales of the 1998 bonds and the buildout of the projects, mostly to make sure that they actually get built. Thirteen members, including one each from the Environmental Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning Commission, Library Commission, and Water and Wastewater Commission, plus one with “expertise in public safety and transportation.”

Call City Budget Office at 499-2609 for meeting info.

HIV Planning Council

Oversees federal grant programs for HIV/AIDS. Thirty-two members, including reps from health care, social service, and mental health providers, community organizations, and persons living with HIV.

Meets: Second Tuesday. Call staff at 499-2615 for time and location.

MBE/WBE Advisory Committee

Reviews and oversees city’s minority- and women-owned business enterprise (MBE/WBE) program. Eleven members, including three MBE/WBE owners (at least one WBE), three reps from minority and women’s chambers of commerce, one contractor, two trade association reps, and two professional organization reps.

Meets: Waller Creek Plaza, 625 E. 10th. Call Small and Minority Business Resources staff at 499-7608 for times.

Telecommunications Commission

Advises city council on telecom and cable TV issues, including franchise fees and public-access television.

Meets: Second Wednesday, 7:30pm, City Hall. Work sessions sometimes held on fourth Wednesday, same time and place.

Human Resources Dept.

Administers city retirement and pension funds under state governance. Eleven members, including four elected members, two retirees, one citizen appointed by the board, two appointed by the council, one member of the council (currently Jackie Goodman), and one city manager appointee.

Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 1:30pm, 418 East Highland Mall Blvd.

Police Retirement Board

Oversees police retirement and pension funds. Eleven members include the city manager and city finance director (or their designees), five active-duty officers elected by plan members, two retirees, one City Council member (currently Danny Thomas), and one citizen chosen by the board.

Meets: Third Wednesday, 2520 South I-35, Suite 205 (Second Floor Conference Room).

Fire Civil Service Commission and Police Civil Service Commission

Both boards (with separate members) oversee civil-service issues, including hearing employment cases, as provided by state law. Fire has five members; police has three.

Meets: Both meet first Wednesday or as needed, 9am, Learning Research Center, 2800 Spirit of Texas Dr. (at Bergstrom airport).

Human Rights Commission

Advises on nondiscrimination policies and investigates complaints of prejudice and discrimination.

Meets: Fourth Monday, 5:30pm at either City Hall or One Texas Center; call staff at 499-3251 for location.

City of Austin Commission for Women

Advises city on “the needs and problems of women in the Austin area,” including programs to protect women’s rights. Members must include at least two African-American, two Hispanic, two Anglo, and one Asian, but they’re not required to be women, though they all are.

Meets: First Tuesday, 5:30pm, Two Commodore Plaza, 209 E. Ninth, 14th Floor.

Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities

Charged “to carry on a program to encourage, assist and enable persons to participate in the social and economic life of the City of Austin,” particularly concerning employment and public accommodations. Members all appointed by the mayor.

Meets: Second Monday, noon, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Law Dept.

Hears and rules upon alleged violations of city ethics code. Nine members include reps from Travis County Bar Association and League of Women Voters.

Meets: Only when necessary. Call the Law Dept. at 499-2051 to learn more.

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Enterprise Funds

Austin Energy

Reviews and analyzes “all policies and procedures of the electric utility,” including most notably the rates. One member must live outside the city but within the AE service area. Shudde Fath and Neal Kocurek have served since the first meeting in 1977.

Meets: First Monday, 6pm, Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Rd.

Resource Management Commission

Advises the city on alternative and renewable energy and conservation programs.

Meets: Third Tuesday, 6:30pm, City Hall.

Aviation Dept.

The City Council has approved an ordinance dissolving and re-creating the Airport Advisory Commission, but has yet to appoint new members.

Meets: Third Tuesday, 5pm, Robert Mueller Conference Room, 3rd floor, Bergstrom International Airport.

Solid Waste Services Dept.

“Reviews programs and makes recommendations regarding the city’s waste stream,” from collection to recycling to landfills. Four members need professional experience and at least one must live east of I-35.

Meets: Second Wednesday, 6:30pm, Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th, Room 105.

Water and Wastewater Utility

Advises on city impact fees for developers. Five members, including two builders.

Meets: Call Water and Wastewater staff at 322-3607 for meeting info.

Water and Wastewater Commission

Reviews utility policy and advises the City Council to ensure adequate and affordable drinking water supply and stable wastewater disposal. No more than two members can be developers. One may live outside the city but in the service area.

Meets: First Wednesday, 6pm, Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th.

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Public Health and Safety

Health and Human Services/Primary Care Dept.

Advises on animal-control issues and the operation of the animal shelter. One member appointed by county. Slots for “a licensed veterinarian, a county or municipal official, a person with experience in daily operation of an animal shelter and an animal welfare organization representative.”

Meets: Call Town Lake Animal Center at 708-6080 for meeting info.

Brackenridge Hospital Oversight Council

Oversees Seton’s lease of Brackenridge, including the hospital’s “performance,” but does not investigate professional conduct. Five members, including a physician who provides indigent-health care, a rep from a community indigent-health advocacy group, and an attorney with health care expertise.

Meets: First Monday of every other month, 6pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Child Care Council

Makes recommendations and helps execute city programs to promote quality child care. Twenty community leaders; one each appointed by county and AISD.

Meets: Second Tuesday, 9am. Call staff at 707-3228 for location.

Commission on Immigrant Affairs

Advises council on “issues of common concern to immigrants,” including how to maximize benefits and minimize adverse impacts of existing and planned legislation at all levels, and promotes “recognition of the contributions of the foreign-born to the economic and cultural vitality of Austin.” Three of the nine members “shall have had direct or personal experience in [im]migration to the United States.”

Meets: Monthly. Call staff at 440-9410 for info.

Federally Qualified Health Center Board

Advises the city and county on public health issues and the provision of city/county health services to low-income citizens. Fifteen members, eight customers (four each appointed by city and county) and seven at-large (one appointed by county).

Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 6pm, 1111 Cesar Chavez.

Medical Assistance Program Advisory Board

As with the FQHC board, advises staff, city, and county on citizen concerns about the operations of the MAP program, including eligibility guidelines and outreach. Thirteen members, including five MAP users (three appointed by the city, two by the county); a physician, a dentist, and a pharmacist who aren’t MAP providers (two appointed by city, one by county) and five at-large, including one with an insurance background and one with a legal or business background (three appointed by city, two by county).

Meets: Third Wednesday, 6pm, 1111 E. Cesar Chavez.

Austin/Travis County MHMR

Established by state law. Four members each appointed by city and county, one by AISD.

Meets: Last Thursday, 5pm, 1430 Collier St.

Emergency Medical Services

Helps plan and review EMS operations and “shall be privileged to recommend professional performance standards.” Eleven members, including six physicians, one nurse, two consumers appointed by the city, one consumer appointed by the county, and one volunteer first responder appointed by the county.

Meets: First Tuesday of every other month, noon, RBJ Building, 55 Waller St.

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Parks & Libraries

Austin Public Library

Advises city on any and all library-related issues.

Meets: Fourth Monday, 6:30pm, Austin History Center.

Parks and Recreation Dept.

According to city ordinance, has all kinds of high-minded roles in promoting quality and access to the arts. Major jobs include recommending funding from the city’s cultural arts fund (as in “under the auspices of the Arts Commission”) and the Art in Public Places program.

Meets: Third Monday, 6:30pm, PARD Board Room, 200 South Lamar.

Central City Entertainment Center Board

The almost-dormant community board that advises the city on operations of the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, formerly the CCEC. One member under 18, one neighborhood rep, seven others.

Meets: First Tuesday, 6pm, Conley Guerrero Senior Activity Center, Rosewood and Nile Streets.

Parks and Recreation Board

Oversees all PARD activities. Two of nine members shall have “expertise in the navigational field,” i.e., represent boat owners.

Meets: Second and fourth Tuesday, 6:30pm, Parks and Recreation Dept., 200 South Lamar, Board Room.

Renaissance Market Commission

Issues (or suspends or revokes) licenses to sell products at Renaissance Market on the Drag.

Meets: First Monday, 6pm, Parks and Recreation Board Room, 200 South Lamar.

Urban Forestry Board

Advises on all issues tree-related and develops comprehensive forestry plan. Three of nine members must have tree or landscape experience.

Meets: Fourth Thursday, 6:30pm, PARD Board Room, 200 South Lamar.

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Housing

Austin Housing Authority

Board of directors for AHA. In existence since 1937. Five members, all appointed by the mayor.

Meets: Third Thursday, noon, various housing development sites. Call AHA at 477-4488 for locations.

Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office

Oversees NHCD assistance programs and recommends distribution of city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Fifteen members, seven nominated by neighborhood residents, seven by the council, and one who can be either.

Meets: Second Tuesday, 6:30pm, rotates between neighborhood centers. Call NHCD staff at 499-3104 for location.

Urban Renewal Board

Oversees implementation of approved urban renewal plans. (Even though most urban renewal efforts are long gone, the plans remain in force.) Used to be joined with the Community Development Commission. Five members appointed by the mayor.

Meets: Third Monday, 5:30pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., Suite 325.

Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Dept.

Established by city charter to make and amend a comprehensive plan, recommend approval or disapproval of proposed zoning changes, control land subdivision, and submit an annual list of recommended capital improvements. Second only to City Council in power and authority.

Meets: First, second, third, and fourth Tuesday, 6pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

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Public Works and Growth

Infrastructure Support Services Dept.

Monitors issues related to city-contracted construction projects, including prevailing wage, competitive bidding, and other matters. Seven members, three each from labor and industry, and one from neither.

Call Public Works staff at 499-7053 for meeting info.

Redevelopment Services Dept.

Created “to raise the awareness of architectural and environmental merit in Austin.” Hears presentations on projects, particularly Downtown, and authored the city’s Downtown Design Guidelines. Members include at least three, but no more than five, architects.

Meets: Twice a month. Call Redevelopment Services staff at 499-6418 for meeting info.

Downtown Commission

Created to oversee implementation of the 1991 R/UDAT report, now advises council on the gamut of downtown issues. Twenty-one members representing (take a deep breath) the Planning Commission, Design Commission, Historic Landmark Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Urban Transportation Commission, Arts Commission, Economic Development Commission, and Music Commission; a downtown resident; providers of human services downtown; the Downtown Austin Alliance and East Sixth Street Merchants Association; the Austin chapters of the American Institute of Architects (nominal sponsors of R/UDAT) and the Urban Land Institute; the Greater Austin, Hispanic, Capital City and Women’s Chambers of Commerce; the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO), East 11th Street Village Association, and Olé Mexico.

Meets: Second Wednesday, 5:30pm, Waller Creek Center, 626 E. 10th.

Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission

The city’s newest commission, whose ridiculously long name (usually shortened to Mueller Commission) conveys its mandate. Members must include one professional each in real estate, commercial finance, and urban design; one business rep; three neighborhood reps, two from neighborhoods adjacent to RMMA; and two at-large reps.

Meets: Second Tuesday, 6pm, Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th.

Transportation, Planning, and Design Dept.

Advises on all transportation-related issues.

Meets: First and third Mondays, 6pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Watershed Protection and Development Review Dept.

One of the most powerful of the city’s boards, because of their power to grant variances (without City Council appeal) from the Land Development Code. Five regular members and four alternates.

Meets: Second Monday, 5:30pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., third floor Training Room.

Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals

Self-explanatory; can consider the application of the codes “to avoid injustice.” Five “qualified” members, one with expertise in fire safety and suppression.

Meets: Last Wednesday when needed, 1:30pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Building Standards Commission

Hears “cases concerning alleged violations of the city’s housing and dangerous building ordinances.” Five members and four alternates.

Meets: Fourth Wednesday, 6:30pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., third floor Training Room.

Electrical Board

Reviews appeals of Electrical Code cases. Seven members, including two active master electricians, two journeyman electricians, and one electrical engineer.

Meets: Last Wednesday, 9:30am, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., third floor Training Room.

Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board

Like the Electrical Board, reviews appeals of cases under these codes. Seven members include two AC contractors, two master plumbers, an engineer, a rep from Southern Union Gas, and a citizen at large.

Meets: Last Tuesday when needed, 3pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Environmental Board

Advises on “all projects and programs which affect the quality of life,” according to city code, but specifically on enviro matters. Four of nine members need to have professional expertise in geology, hydrology, ecology, civil engineering, or land planning.

Meets: First and third Wednesday, 6pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Historic Landmark Commission

Reviews historic zoning cases, permits for alterations to city historic landmarks, approves tax abatement applications; reviews all building, relocation, and demolition permits and signage in designated historic districts, and develops and updates the city’s historic preservation plan. Eleven members, including reps from Heritage Society of Austin, AIA-Austin, UT School of Architecture, Travis County Bar Association, and Travis County Historical Commission. At least one member must be a real estate pro and one a professional historian. According to ordinance, all members are supposed to have some special expertise.

Meets: Fourth Monday, 7pm, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

Sign Review Board

Hears appeals on sign ordinance cases. Five members come from Board of Adjustment, but unlike the B-of-A, the Sign Review Board advises rather than decides. Two additional members, one from the sign industry.

Meets: Second Monday, 5:30pm, Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th.

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Miscellaneous

Oversees and advises on the programming of the community schools, which offer adult education and neighborhood services under an interlocal agreement between the city and AISD. Five members each appointed by council and by AISD Board of Trustees.

Meets: First Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm at alternating community schools. Call AISD at 414-1511 for locations.

Equity Steering Committee

Fifteen members charged with developing “a long-range economic and social equity vision and program for Austin specifying a solution-based approach.”

Call city manager’s office at 499-2450 for meeting info.

Music Commission

Advises council on items musical. Charged by ordinance with developing criteria for official designation as a live performance venue and overseeing creation of a music district. All nine members are to have some music industry connection.

Meets: First Monday, 5:30pm, Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th, Room 105.

This article appears in May 18 • 2001.