Committees and Commissions

Town Commissions

Now Accepting Applications For:

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Town Council and the Parks and Recreation Director to support the Parks and Recreation Department in “Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs.” Responsibilities include being available to the Town Council to research and recommend policy alternatives pertaining to the Town’s Parks and Recreation policies; and to be available to staff to assist as volunteers in implementing the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department budget goals. The Parks and Recreation Commission meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., in the Windsor Civic Center Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400, Windsor, CA. In addition, special meetings may be held on an as needed basis. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at (707) 838-1268.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission fulfills duties prescribed under State law and consistent with policies established by the Town Council. Some of those duties include acting on general planning and zoning related matters, perform design review functions, and serving in an advisory capacity to the Town Council with regard to issues related to the General Plan, Specific Plans, and other land use matters.  Planning Commissioners also have an obligation to attend Planning Commission meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m., in the Windsor Civic Center Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400, Windsor, CA. In addition, special meetings may also be held at which their attendance is required. For more information, contact Community Development Director Patrick Streeter at (707) 838-1021.

Public Art Advisory Commission

The Public Art Advisory Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Town Council and the Parks and Recreation Director, or their designee, to support the Town by establishing Windsor as an art destination that raises the potential for education, innovation, collaborative community engagement and cultural exploration.  To be eligible for appointment to the Commission, members shall be residents of Sonoma County, and are preferred to be residents of the Town; Youth Commissioners must have a junior (11th grade) or senior (12th grade) status. Youth seats will be appointed by Council majority vote, will hold a non-voting status with an "input only" capacity, and will serve a one-year term commencing in June. The Public Art Advisory Commission meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30 p.m., in the Windsor Civic Center Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400, Windsor, CA. For more information, contact Parks and Facilities Manager Olivia Lemen at (707) 838-5383.

Senior Citizen Advisory Commission

The Senior Citizen Advisory Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Town Council to support the recreation programs and services offered to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Commissioners must be comprised of Senior Citizens, as defined by Town Council as permitted in the Agreement and CC&R’s, as a person aged 50 or older, and their guests, their spouses, their co-habitants, or persons aged 45 or older who are providing primary physical or economic support for such person. The Senior Citizen Advisory Commission meets quarterly on the third Tuesday of the months of January, April, July and October at 2:00 p.m., in the Windsor Civic Center, Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400, Windsor, CA. In addition, special meetings may be held on an as needed basis. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at (707) 838-1268.

Other Committees and Commissions Appointed by Town Council

Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees

The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District is committed to protecting the health and welfare of the communities they serve from mosquitoes and vector-borne disease. The main purpose of the Board of Trustees of the Mosquito and Vector Control District is to organize and carry out an effective control program, and to develop a budget adequate to staff and support program. The Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. One member; two-year term. For more information on the appointment and the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District, please contact the District at (707) 285-2200.

Sonoma County Library Commission

The Sonoma County Library Commission serves as a resource and liaison to the Board of Supervisors, the Director of County Library Services, and the community, to find ways and means of enlisting public interest in supporting and improving Library services. The Town’s Commissioner must be 18 years of age or older and must reside within Town limits. Preference for the appointment will be given to a person with a strong interest in the development and support of the Sonoma County Library and has the ability and time to participate effectively in Commission activities and decision making. The Commissioner’s term would begin on August 1 and would expire four years later. If an appointee is reappointed, the term would expire four years from the date of reappointment, subject to Town Council approval. The Sonoma County Library Commission meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. For more information on the appointment and the Sonoma County Library Commission, please contact the Commission Assistant at 707-545-0831.

How To Apply for Commission Seats

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and reside within the Town limits, unless otherwise as indicated above.

Applications may be requested by contacting the Town Clerk’s Office via email at townclerk@townofwindsor.com, by calling (707) 838-5315 or can be found on the Town’s website at: Committee or Commission Application Form.

Completed applications for these vacancies must be returned to the Town Clerk's office by the indicated deadline on the Public Notice. Applications can be submitted online, via email at townclerk@townofwindsor.com or mailed at Town Hall, PO Box 100, Windsor, CA 95492. Applications mailed to Town Hall must be postmarked by the deadline. If you have any questions regarding this application, please call (707) 838-5315. 

Role & Responsibilities of Commissioners/Committees

Commissions are a generic title for groups appointed by the Council to provide advice on policy matters to the Town Council. The term includes boards, commissions, advisory councils and committees, and others.
 
 The responsibilities of the advisory commissions are:

  • To be available to the Town Council to research and recommend policy alternatives
  • To be available to staff to assist as volunteers in implementing the Town's policies and programs
Citizen advisory committees/commissions work closely with the staff liaisons. The commissions do not have the authority to supervise or direct the work of staff. Assignments to staff are made through the Town Manager.
 
For more information, please access the Commissioner Handbook.


Establishment of Current Advisory Commissions

At its January 20, 1999 meeting, the Town Council approved and adopted Resolution 779-99, establishing Town Advisory Commissions.

The annual Maddy Act Notice contains a current listing of Town Commission positions: This notice is updated every December: NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Current Commission Rosters:

Parks and Recreation Commission

Planning Commission

Public Art Advisory Commission

Senior Citizen Advisory Commission

Application Forms and Process

Commission Application to download and print.
New! Online Commission Application Form for online submission. 

After each application deadline, the Council will review all applications submitted. Generally, at the following regular Council meeting, which are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month, Council will publicly review and appoint its commissioners. During consideration of the item, if applicants wish to speak, they have the opportunity to do so during the public comment period. Clerk staff will notify applicants of the upcoming item for the Council meeting when the agenda is published, usually the Thursday prior to the meeting but no later than 72 hours prior. 

Please note, the Town does not formally conduct/schedule interviews of applicants. It is up to the individual Councilmembers to review all applications submitted. They may independently choose to conduct applicant interviews. 

If you have any questions regarding the process, please reach out to the Clerk's office at townclerk@townofwindsor.com