Resolve to Help Los Altos in 2012: Applications for Commissions Due in January

If you resolved to be more inolved in the community in 2012, here's your opportunity: the City of Los Altos is looking for volunteers for five commissions and one committee.

These community volunteers keep the city running by reviewing information and making recommendations to the city council and staff. Terms last anywhere from one year to four years, depending on the commission or committee.

Only residents are eligible. Applications are available in PDF form online (see attachment), or in the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, 1 N. San Antonio Rd. The deadline to submit applications is Jan. 27. Interviews with the city council take place Feb. 7.

Here's a summary of what positions are available:

• Planning Commission: Interested in city planning and zoning? The Planning Commission may be for you. There is one vacancy for a term expiring February 2016. The commission meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.
• Environmental Commission: If matters of the environment are of utmost importance to you, then you might fit best on the Environmental Commission. There is one vacancy for a term expiring February 2015. The commission meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
• Traffic Commission: A major topic of discussion around town for sure. And recently , since the city council considered merging the traffic and planning commissions. Members of both commissions voiced a collective "no" to that idea. If traffic is a major issue to you, consider applying for one of four positions available. There are three seats that expire in 2016, and one vacancy for an unexpired term that ends in 2014. Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m. in City Hall.
• Public Arts Commission: This commission focuses mainly on the Public Outdoor Sculpture Loan Program. Two seats are open, one for an unexpired term that ends in 2013, and another for a term that ends in 2014.
• Financial Commission: Finances and financial policy pique your interest? The commission has four seats open for terms ending in 2016. It meets the third Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
• Grant Writing Committee: Members of this committee act in an advisory capacity to the city council on matters relating to obtaining grants for city projects. Five vacancies for one-year terms are available.

Call the City Clerk's office at 650-947-2720 during business hours for more information.