Heights seeks residents for city boards
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 05:08 AM
By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily HeraldHARKER HEIGHTS – The city is seeking more applicants to fill its advisory boards as a deadline for member appointments comes closer.
"There are all kinds of boards," City Manager Steve Carpenter said Wednesday.
There are boards that are simply advisory boards, such as the library and public safety advisory board, and then there are policy boards, such as the Planning and Zoning Commission, Carpenter added.
Terms for several board members expire every January. During this time, the city undertakes an application process for those who want to join the boards. The process ends with the City Council selecting members.
This year Carpenter, hoping to get more applicants, asked the City Council for some extra time for the application process.
"We have enough people, but we need more people to get a selection," Carpenter told the council Tuesday.
There may be just enough people to fill the available positions created by people either not reapplying or those who have expired terms, Carpenter said Wednesday. Just like the City Council, residents can only serve two three-year terms on a particular board.
The boards are a great way for people to get involved and shape the future of the city, said Marc Janusz, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member.
"It is just a chance to have a direct impact to everything that is done (in Harker Heights)," Janusz said. "Without the advisory board, the city may not get everything the residents want, because it may not have that grass-roots input."
Janusz has been on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board since May 2008. He has been in discussions about future city park construction, including the recent construction of Harker Heights Community Park, the parks master plan and more.
Janusz said he believes that his participation on the board has contributed to making Harker Heights a better place.
"If (the city is) successful in something, then it is partly because of the involvement of those residents," Carpenter said.
The selection process should begin at a Jan. 26 council meeting, Carpenter said.
Residents can apply for the boards by calling City Hall at (254) 953-5600 or going to the administrative offices in City Hall, 305 Miller's Crossing.
"The key thing to remember is that the residents on those boards are a part of (the) community," Carpenter said. "It gives the residents ... a chance to be a part of our growth and determine the direction the city is going."
Contact Mason W. Canales at
mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7554.
~(Box)~
Harker Heights boards
Apply for Harker Heights advisory boards by calling City Hall at (254) 953-5600 or going to the administrative offices in City Hall, 305 Miller's Crossing.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Advises the City Council on decisions affecting the overall physical development of the city. Specific functions of the commission include the consideration of zoning change requests, and subdivision requests consistent with an overall comprehensive plan.
Zoning Board of Adjustments: This board can authorize zoning variances where by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness or shape of a specific piece of property of record or by reason of exceptional topographical conditions or other extraordinary or exceptional situation or condition, the strict application of the ordinances would result in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties and particular hardship upon the owner of the property. It can also hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of the ordinance. It may reverse or affirm wholly or partly, or can modify the order, requirement, decision or determination of the official.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: This board works closely with the city's Parks and Recreation Department and advises the City Council on issues involving the department.
Library Advisory Board: This board works closely with the city's library and advises the City Council on issues related to the public library.
Public Safety Commission: This commission works with the city's fire and police departments. It makes suggestions to the City Council on matters pertaining to those departments.
Animal Advisory Committee: This committee works with city's police department, which operates animal control. It advises the council on matters pertaining to animal concerns and animal control.