The City's advisory bodies - always open to the general public - are established by the City Council to make recommendations to the Council on issues ranging from bicycle and pedestrian improvements; housing; parks and open space; land use; public art projects; public safety issues; and more. For meeting times, agendas, minutes, staff contact, and other more detailed information, see below or contact the City Clerk's Office at (510) 450-7800 or by email.

Starting in April 2012, all of the City's advisory bodies will be audio-taped, and an archive of each audio-taped meeting will be available through each advisory body's webpage. In addition, the Planning Commission and Zoning Update Committee meetings are broadcast live on ETV: Cable Television Station 27, and rebroadcast according to the ETV programming schedule.

All committee meetings have assisted listening devices available and locations are wheelchair accessible. For other disability access accommodations, please contact the City Clerk's Office, at least 72 hours in advance. Animals, other than service animals, are prohibited in city facilities.

To apply to one of the City's advisory bodies, please complete an application and submit it to the City Clerk's Office (press "submit" at the bottom of the application). Interested community members may also obtain an application through the City Clerk's Office and mail/hand deliver to the City Clerk's Office, Emeryville Civic Center, 1333 Park Avenue, Emeryville, CA 94608. Get more information about the application process and see a list of current advisory body vacancies.

City Council Committees

City Council Committees are designed as a forum for more detailed reporting or discussion regarding policy direction, program and budget priorities, and oversight than can be accomplished, due to time constraints, at regular City Council meetings on specific areas of City responsibility. Only City Council members serve as voting members on City Council Committees, with membership limited to less than a quorum of the full City Council (up to two members). Committee meeting agendas are publicly noticed and the public is welcome to attend the meetings. Recommendations from City Council Committees must be reviewed and considered by the full City Council for final consideration/action.

Planning Commission and Housing Advisory and Appeals Board

The Planning Commission and the Housing Advisory and Appeals Board (which consists solely of Planning Commissioners) are community advisory bodies that also have some independent regulatory powers, with some, but not all, decisions subject to City Council review or appeal. These bodies are listed in the City’s Local Roster of Boards, Commissions and Committees, but have separate rules and procedures/by-laws than the community advisory bodies described below.

Community Advisory Committees (Standing and Ad Hoc Committees)

Community Advisory Committees are a structured way for community members to share their opinions and perspectives, study issues, develop policy and/or program recommendations, and provide feedback regarding City initiatives in a focused, small group structure, and are thus an integral part of furthering public participation in government. Community Advisory Committees have community members as voting members. All meetings are publicly noticed and the public is welcome to attend the meetings. City Council members may attend advisory body meetings to observe, but not participate in the discussion, deliberation, or vote on any item within the subject matter jurisdiction of such bodies. Recommendations by Community Advisory Committees are forwarded to a City Council Sub-Committee or may be submitted directly to the City Council. However, community advisory committee recommendations may only be approved by a majority of the full City Council.

Standing Committees

Standing Committees are “permanent” (on-going) committees designed for community input on issues that are relatively broad in scope.

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees are temporary committees designed for community input on a focused issue within a limited timeframe.