There are 24 separate and independent Boards and Commissions in the City of Oak Park operating in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Administrative Staff. All are primarily composed of citizen volunteers and perform vital functions for our City.

Section 4.18, Independent Boards and Commissions, of the City of Oak Park Charter, states: "The Council may not create any board or commission, other than those provided for in this Charter, to administer any activity, department or agency of the City government except (a) a municipal hospital, (1)) recreation or (c) any activity which by statute is required to be so administered. The Council may, however, establish (a) quasi-judicial appeal boards and boards or commissions to serve solely in an advisory capacity. The following Boards and Commissions have been created.

To be a member of a Board or Commission, you must be a two (2) year resident of Oak Park. If you would like to volunteer for a position on one of the Boards or Commissions, please contact the City Manager at 248-691-7410 or complete the e-mail form in the forms and brochure page.

Independence Day Commission:
Plan, promote, execute and evaluate the City of Oak Park's Independence Day celebration including a parade and any activities held in the park.

Library Advisory Board: 691-7480
It shall be the duty of the Library Advisory Board, operating under bylaws adopted by the City Council, to consider and study reasonable needs and requirements of the library facilities of the City, and to formulate and to report its findings from time to time to the City Council.

Municipal Building Authority: 691-7410
The purposes of the Municipal Building Authority are the acquiring, furnishing, equipping, owning, improving, enlarging, operating and/or maintaining a building or buildings, or additions to buildings, and the necessary site or sites therefore, for the use of the City of Oak Park, Michigan. (Articles of Incorporation of Municipal Building Authority of Oak Park, June 24, 1960)

Personnel Board: 691-7410
The Personnel Board shall: (a) Advise the City Manager on matters of personnel policy and problems of personnel administration, including the development of personnel rules, a job classification plan, and a uniform pay plan. (b) Represent the public interest in the improvement of personnel administration in the City service.

Planning Commission: 691-7450
The City Planning Commission shall consider and advise the City Council on: a) Creation of a master plan. b) The removal, location, widening, narrowing, vacating, abandonment, change of use, or extension of streets, alleys, ground, open spaces, building, public utilities and terminals. c) All proposed changes in the zoning ordinance. d) The approval of plats subdividing land within the City.

Recreation Advisory Board: 691-7555
It shall be the duty of the Recreation Advisory Board, operating under bylaws adopted by the City Council, to consider and study reasonable needs and requirements of the recreation program, to serve in an advisory capacity to the Director of Recreation when so requested, and to act as a recommending body to the City Council on matters of general Recreation Department policy, and to formulate and report its findings from time to time, to the City Council.

Recycling and Environmental Conservation Commission: 691-7497
The Recycling and Environmental Conservation Commission advises and assists the Department of Public Works on programs and projects such as, Recycling and Composting, Waste Reduction, Environmental Education, Energy Savings and Efficiency, and Tree Planting, to sustain and improve the environment and quality of life in Oak Park.

Sports Commission: 691-7555
The purpose of the Sports Commission is to further Department of Recreation sports programs by acting in an advisory capacity to the Director of Recreation on matters pertaining to the operation of sports in Oak Park.

Zoning Board of Appeals: 691-7450
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have the following powers: a) To hear and decide appeals of any decision made by the building inspector or any other administrative official. b) To permit the erection or use of a building to a greater height or of a larger area than the district requirements established. c) To hear and decide requests for special exceptions and for interpretation of the zoning map. d) To authorize, upon an appeal, a variance from the strict application of the provisions of the zoning ordinance.