I am inquiring as to whether other communities have a generic "Citizen's Advisory Committee" appointed by their City/Town Council.  Our committee has been in existence for many years, and this is the only committee we have where Council Members appoint their own individual member.  This body is primarily responsible for periodically reviewing our five-year capital plan from a citizen's perspective, and providing recommendations on things that may need to be elevated or downgraded.  Otherwise, they exist to receive specific taskings from the Council, which are relatively limited.  For example, in the past they have looked at the issue of Council salaries; tax increase packages to fund the operation of a new fire station; whether the Council should endorese a ward/district system in the community.  Typically, things that are not part of what would ordinarily be the realm of other boards and commissions (i.e. Parks and Rec, Library, Arts and Humanities, Environmental Affairs, etc.).

Our current Citizen's Advisory Commission wonders if such an animal as themselves exists in other communities, what types of tasks they undertake, and how they may operate.  If you have any input, I would greatly appreciate it.