OGDENSBURG – Following a brief public hearing Thursday the City Council raised the number of members in its Pride and Beautification Commission to 11 and modified the municipal code reflect the group’s purpose.

The commission works with local residents and businesses in an attempt to improve the “aesthetic quality of the city.”

It was originally formed in 2000 with seven members and was expanded in 2013 to nine members.

The group’s most recent efforts include working with volunteers to help paint homes throughout the city at no expense to the owners.

Mayor William Nelson commended the commission’s work over the past 14 years.

“They do a great job,” he said. “It’s amazing how much they have accomplished.”

Members of the commission are appointed by the mayor.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson asked if members who were from the city were given preference over people from outside the city during the appointment process.

Nelson said it has never been an issue as there has never been a “long line” of people interested in joining, but said if a conflict arose, he would consider weighing residency as factor.

Councilor Dan Skamperle asked if 11 members of the commission could be continuously filled.

“I wonder if there will be less than 11 people that want to be on the board,” he said.

Nelson said the commission has been growing steadily and he did not expect interest to decline in the near future.