Boards and Commission Applicant ReviewCopyrighted
March 21, 2022
City of Dubuque Boards/Commissions # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Boards and Commission Applicant Review
SUMMARY: Applicants are invited to address the City Council regarding their desire
to serve on the following Boards/Commissions. Applicant appointments
will be made at the next City Council meeting.
MAYOR APPOINTMENT
Civil Service Commission
One, 4-Year term through April 6, 2026 (Expiring term of Baskerville)
Applicant:
Phil Baskerville, 2945 Van Buren St.
This commission is subject to the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.
3 Commissioners total; currently 1 male/1 female/1 opening
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
3-21-22 Overview Sheet
Civil Serive Commission Applicant
Details and Openings
Gender Balance Iowa Code Section 69.16a
Gender Balance Q&A Sheet
Type
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
APPLICATIONS FOR CITY OF DUBUQUE
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
For Council Meeting, of
Monday, March 21, 2022
6:30 p.m., Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street
APPLICANTS ARE INVITED TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
REGARDING THEIR APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT
MAYOR APPOINTMENT
Civil Service Commission
One, 4-Year term through April 6, 2026 (Expiring term of Baskerville)
Applicant:
Phil Baskerville, 2945 Van Buren St.
This commission is subject to the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.
3 Commissioners total; currently 1 male/1 female/1 opening
APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONS
TO BE MADE AT THIS MEETING.
Community Development Advisory Commission
One, 3-Year term through February 15, 2024 (Vacant At -Large term of Grant)
One, 3-Year term through February 15, 2025 (Vacant Low to Moderate Income term of
Craddieth)
Applicants:
Dominique Jeter, 2613 Jackson St. (Additional Applicant) (Qualifies for Low to Moderate
Income and At -Large)
Sasha Williams, 2980 WildWood Dr. (Qualifies for At -Large)
Zoning Board of Adjustment
One 5-Year term of through March 25, 2027 (Expiring term of Golombeski)
Applicant:
Bethany Golombeski, 65 Cambridge Ct.
This commission is subject to the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.
5 Commissioners total; currently 3 males/1 female/1 opening
Chapter 2
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Amended 9-8-15
2-2-1: COMMISSION CREATED:
There is hereby created the Civil Service Commission.
2-2-2: PURPOSE:
The purpose of the commission is to conduct entrance examinations, conduct promotional
examinations, and act as an appeals board as provided in Chapter 400 of the Iowa Code.
2-2-3: INTERNAL ORGANIZATION AND RULES:
The commission may adopt rules and regulations to govern its organizational procedures as
may be necessary and which are not in conflict with this Code of Ordinances or the Iowa
Code.
2-2-4: PROCEDURES FOR OPERATION:
All administrative, personnel, accounting, budgetary, and procurement policies of the city
govern the commission in all its operations.
2-2-5: MEMBERSHIP:
A. The commission comprises three (3) residents of the city, appointed by the mayor with
the concurrence of the city council.
B. Residents must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
C. Special Qualifications:
1. Commissioners must be citizens of Iowa, eligible electors as defined in the Iowa
Code, and may not hold or be a candidate for any office of public trust.
2. The human rights director shall, ex officio, be a member, without vote.
3. Commissioners may not do any of the following:
a. Sell, or in any manner become parties, directly or indirectly, to any contract to
furnish supplies, material, or labor to the city unless the sale is made or the
contract is awarded by competitive bid in writing, publicly invited and opened.
b. Have an interest, direct or indirect, in any contract or job of work or material
or the profits thereof or services to be furnished or performed for the city unless
the contract or job is awarded by competitive bid in writing, publicly invited and
opened.
D. Membership on the commission must comply with the provisions of Iowa Code
§69.16A, relating to gender balance. No person may be appointed or reappointed to the
commission if that appointment or reappointment would cause the number of members of
one gender to be greater than one-half ('/2) of the membership of the commission plus
one (1). If the city has made a good faith effort to appoint a qualified person to fill a
vacancy on the commission for a period of three (3) months but has been unable to make
a compliant appointment, the city must utilize a fair and unbiased method of selecting the
best qualified applicants.
2-2-6: OATH:
Each person, upon appointment or reappointment to the commission, must execute an oath
of office at the first meeting of the commission following the appointment or reappointment or
at the city clerk's office any time prior to the first meeting of the commission.
2-2-7: TERMS:
The term of office for commissioners is four (4) years or until such commissioner's successor
is appointed and qualified.
2-2-8: VACANCIES:
Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as original appointments.
2-2-9: OFFICERS/ORGANIZATION:
The commissioners must choose annually a chairperson and vice -chairperson, each to serve
a term of one (1) year. The city clerk, or the city clerk's designee, is the clerk of the
commission. The commissioners must fill a vacancy among its officers for the remainder of
the officer's unexpired term.
2-2-10: MEETINGS:
A. Meetings: Meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the written request of a
majority of the commissioners.
B. Open Meetings: All meetings must be called and held in conformance with the Iowa
Open Meetings Law.
C. Attendance.
1. In the event a commissioner has been absent for three (3) or more consecutive
meetings of the commission, without being excused by the chairperson, such absence
will be grounds for the commission to recommend to the city council that the position
be declared vacant and a replacement appointed.
2. Attendance must be entered upon the minutes of all meetings.
D. Minutes. A copy of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the commission
must be filed with the city council within ten (10) working days after each meeting, or by
the next regularly scheduled city council meeting, whichever is later.
E. Quorum. Two (2) commissioners constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners present and voting is necessary
for the adoption of any motion or resolution.
2-11-11: COMPENSATION:
Commissioners serve without compensation, provided that they may receive reimbursement
for necessary travel and other expenses while on official commission business within the
limits established in the city administrative policies and budget.
2-2-12: REMOVAL:
The mayor may remove any commissioner for cause upon written charges and after public
hearing.
2-2-13: POWERS:
The commission has the powers, duties, and responsibilities as outlined in Chapter 400 of the
Iowa Code.
2-2-14: CITY COUNCIL TO FURNISH MEETING ROOM, EQUIPMENT, RECORDER:
The city council must provide suitable rooms in which the commission may hold its meetings
and supply the commission with all necessary equipment and a qualified shorthand reporter
to enable it properly to perform its duties.
2-2-15: RECORD OF MEETINGS AND PERSONNEL:
The commission must keep a record of all its meetings and also a complete individual service
record of each civil service employee which record must be permanent and kept up to date.
2-2-16: EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS:
Examinations for the positions in the city civil service are to be applicable and required of all
applicants in accordance with the Iowa Code.
2-2-17: CONDUCT OF EXAMINATIONS; CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFIED PERSONS:
The commission must conduct examinations in accordance with the provisions of the laws of
the state relative thereto, and for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants
for positions under civil service, and must duly certify to the city council a list of the qualified
persons as set forth in the Iowa Code.
2-2-18: PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCT OF HEARING APPEALS:
Notwithstanding Chapter 1 of this Title, the commission may adopt its own rules governing
the procedure for the conduct of hearing appeals.
Trish Gleason
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
noreply@civicplus.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 4:04 PM
Adrienne Breitfelder; Trish Gleason; Shelley Stickfort; Pam McCarron
Online Form Submittal: Board/Commission Application Form
Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization.
Board/Commission Application Form
Individuals serving on Boards and Commissions play an important role in advising
the City Council on matters of interest to our community and its future. The City
Clerk's Office, City Hall, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, IA, accepts applications for
any Board and/or Commission at any time. Applications stay active for one year
from the date of receipt in the Clerk's Office. Applications to multiple vacancies
and/or reappointment requests requires separate applications.
Please complete the online application and separate optional demographic
information below
Personal Information
Select the Board, Civil Service Commission
Commission, or Committee
applying for:
Name: Phillip Baskerville
How did you hear about Through a Friend
City of Dubuque Boards and
Commission?
If other, please specify: Field not completed.
Gender (choose all that Man
apply) Note: Some City
Boards/Commissions are
subject to the gender
balance requirement in
Iowa Code Section 69.16A
If trans or transgender Field not completed.
please specify:
If another identity please Field not completed.
specify:
Block sender
1
Street Address: PLEASE 2945 Van Buren Street
NOTE: you must live within
the Dubuque city limits to
apply/serve on a City of
Dubuque board or
commission.
City Dubuque
State Iowa
Zip Code: 52001
Preferred Phone Number: 3192697018
Email Address(es): philb719@yahoo.com
Place of Employment: University of Dubuque
Business Phone Number: 563-589-3457
Job Title/ Duties: Professor, Criminal Justice
Please list your experience, I have been a part of the criminal justice system for 47 years.
skills and or education that Thirty years as a Black Hawk County Iowa Deputy Sherriff and
have prepared you for approximately 40 years teaching in the criminal justice field or
service on this administrating college programs in include the Iowa Law
board/commission: Enforcement Academy classes at Hawkeye Community
College in Waterloo, IA.
What contributions can you I want to give back to the community and represent a small
make or state reason for portion of what is needed to keep the City of Dubuque as
applying? successful as it can be.
Describe your experience Working in law enforcement and education has given me an
working in diverse opportunity to work with a variety of cultures, race, and
environments: ethnicity. I find it my responsibility to understand the differences
and express my concerns for those differences. At the
university level, I have taught Inequalities of Race and Gender.
Describe your experience
engaging other community
members to gather their
input and opinions:
List two references:
(Include their name and
phone number)
In order to stay current on community issues I often times
contact community members and government employees
asking for their input on issues as issue are brought before me.
Ben Bartels, 563-580-6891
Kim Hilby, 563-542-7122
Are you currently serving on
other Boards, Commissions,
or Committees?
If yes, which?
Have you served on a
Board, Commission, or
Committee before?
If yes, which?
Have you participated in
the City Life program?
If so, when?
Have you participated in
the Intercultural
Competency Program
offered through the City of
Dubuque or other
organizations?
If yes to the above
question, please list the
orginization that offered
the program and the date
of completion:?
No
Field not completed.
Yes
Civil Service Commission (Currently serving)
No
Field not completed.
No
Field not completed.
This application is a public document and as such can be reproduced and
distributed for the public. Each application for reappointment to a City Board or
Commission will be considered without regard to incumbency. Misrepresentations
on this application will constitute just cause for removal of an appointee. Specific
attention should be directed to possible conflict of interest. For further clarification, if
a situation arises, contact the City Clerk's Office or the City Attorney's Office.
Signature (type your name Phil Baskerville
here as electronic
verfication):
Date: 01-21-2022
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DETAILS AND OPENINGS
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
Indicates State - mandated board/commissic
subject to the 2012 Gender Balance Law.
Open Indicates Current Opening
X/X/2022 Indicates openings within 2022
AIRPORT COMMISSION
4 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Tuesday, 4 p.m., Airport Conf. Room
Douglas
Brotherton
9/14/25
Marianne
Kurtz -Weber
9/14/25
Michael
Phillips
9/14/22
Robert
Blocker
9/14/22
Sue
Clemenson
9/14/24
AIRPORT ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
5 Yr. Term - Meets on Call
Laurie
Guy
County Representative
2/15/26
Gwen
Kosel
Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Comm.
3/25/24
Mary
Goebel
County Representative
2/15/26
Matthew
Mauss
Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Comm.
3/25/23
Open
Open
Appointed by 4 members.
unknown
AIRPORT ZONING COMMISSION
6 Yr. Term - Meets on Call
Open
Open
Appointed by 4 members
12/31/26
Open
Open
County Representative
12/31/26
Mary
Goebel
County Representative
12/31/26
Rebecca
Kemp
Airport ZAC Rep. Primary Comm.
12/31/26
Matthew
Mulligan
Airport ZAC Rep. Primary Comm.
7/1/22
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., MFC or Varied locations
Paula
Neuhaus
Business Prof.-Living/Working In
6/30/24
Noelle
Chesney
Business Professional
6/30/24
Thomas
Robbins
At -Large outside of District
6130/24
Ali
Levasseur
Arts Rep
6/30/22
Ryan
Decker
Arts Rep
6/30/22
Susan
Riedel
Arts Rep
6/30122
Nicholas
Haider
Arts Rep
6/30122
BUILDING CODE ADVISORY AND APPEALS BOARD
3 Yr. Term -Meets 1st Thur., 4:30 p.m., Federal Bldg.
Open
Open
Residential construction professional
1/1/24
Open
Open
Alternate Residential construction professional
1/1/24
Open
Open
commercial construction professional
1/1/24
Open
Open
Alternate Commercial construction professional
1/1/24
Adam
Brown
Alternate Electrical construction professional
1/1/24
Thomas
Townsend
Electrical construction professional
1/1/24
Daniel
Mc Namer
Plumbing construction professional
1/1/24
Open
Open
Alternate Plumbing construction professional
1/1/24
Corey
Valaskey
HVAC construction professional
1/1/24
Open
Open
Alternate HVAC construction professional
1/1/24
C. Blaine
Schoenhard III
Multidisciplinary representative
1/1/24
Katrina
Wilberding
Multidisciplinaryrepresentative
1/1/24
CATFISH CREEK WATERSHED MANGT. AUTHORITY
4 Yr. term - Meets Quarterly
Steven Drahozal 7/16/24
Jared Mc Govern 7/16/24
CABLE TV COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets on Call., Varied locations
Pauline
Maloney
7/1/23
Garrett
Heidenreich
7/1/23
Ronald
Tigges
7/1/23
Open
Open
7/1/24
Open
Open
7/1/24
Jennifer
Tigges
7/1/24
Open
Open
7/1/24
CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets last Monday of each month, 3:30 p.m., Five Flags
Tyler
Daugherty
6/29/24
Mc Kenzie
Blau
6/29/22
Brenda
Christner
6/29/22
Bryce
Parks
6/29/24
Rod
Bakke
6/29/22
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
4 Yr. Term - Meets on Call, City Hall
Phil Baskerville 4/6/22
Carla Heathcote 4/6/24
Daniel White 4/6/25
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., Federal Bldg./Housing
Open
Open
Low/Mod Income Area
2/15/24
Kelly
Fox
Low/Mod Income Area
2/15/23
Hilary
Dalton
At -Large / Housing Commission Liason eH
2/15/23
Open
Open
Low/Mod Income Area
2/15/23
Julie
Woodyard
Low/Mod Income Area
2/15/24
Open
Open
At -Large
2/15/24
Open
Open
Low/Mod Income Area
2/15/25
Michelle
Hinke
At -Large
2/15/25
Dean
Boles
At -Large
2/15/25
DUBUQUE COMMUNITY POLICE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
2 Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Thur. (Feb., April, June,
Oct., Dec.)
5:30 p.m. at MFC
Rob Kundert
Primary
12/19/21
Michael Durnin
Alternate
3/5/22
Dora Serna
Primary
8/11/23
Open Open
Alternate
4/1/21
Sarah Schneider
Primary
10/31/23
Steven Meier
Alternate
12/19/21
EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 2nd Mon. 4:30 p.m., MFC Conf. room 2
Open
Open
1/1/25
Michael
Durnin
1/1/23
Mallory
Gardiner
1/1/23
Jake
Jurczek
1/1/23
Open
Open
1/1/24
Klanea
Evans
1/1/24
Maitha
Jolet
1/1/25
Kathy
McCarthy
1/1/24
Dereka
Williams
1/1/25
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Thur., 5:30 p.m., Federal Bldg.
Rick
Stuter
W 11th District
7/1/22
Melissa
Cassill
At -Large
7/1/24
Christina
Monk
Architect At -Large
7/1/23
Alec
Gustafson
Old Main District
7/1/24
William
Doyle
At -Large
7/1/24
John
Mc Andrews
Cathedral District
7/1/23
Tim
Gau
At -Large
7/1/24
Thea
Dement
Langworthy District
7/1/23
Janice
Esser
Jackson Park District
711122
HOUSING APPEALS AND MEDIATION BOARD
3 - Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Tues., 4:30 p.m., Federal Bldg.
Mary
Gotz
Landlord 1/1/24
Open
Open
1/1/24
Gil
Spence
1/1/24
Luke
Hoffmann
1/1/24
Lynn
Sutton
1/1/24
HOUSING COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Tues. (Jan., Aril, July, Oct.), 4:00 p.m., Fed. Bldg.
Charlene
Turpin
Section 8 Recipient
8/17/24
Open
Open
At -Large
8/17/22
Margie
White
At -Large
8117/22
Rick
Baumhover
Trust Fund Rep. Primary Comm.
8/17/22
Open
Open
At -Large
8117/23
Amy
Eudaley
Housing Trust and Long Range Planning Rep.
8/17/23
Primary Comm.
Sam
Wooden
At -Large
8/17/24
Gail
Weitz
At -Large
8/17/24
Renee
Kohoe
At -Large
8/17/24
Hilary
Dalton
CDAC Rep. Primary Comm.
8/17/24
HOUSING TRUST FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
3 Yr. Term - Meets as needed, 7:30 a.m., Federal Bldg.
Rick
Baumhover
Housing Commission Rep
8/17/22
Dorothy
Schwendinger
At -Large
8117/22
Amy
Eudaley
Housing Commission Rep
8/17/23
Jim
Holz
At -Large
8/17/24
Michelle
Becwar
At -Large
8/17124
INVESTMENT OVERSIGHT ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Wed.(Jan., April, July, Oct.) 3 p.m., City Hall
Paul
Lassance
7/1/23
Molly
Valaskey
7/1/24
Thomas
Major
7/1/24
Joshua
Merritt
7/1/22
Gary
Ruden
7/1/22
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
4 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Thur. 4 p.m., Library
Patricia
Poggemiller
7/1/22
Rosemary
Kramer
7/1/22
Victor
Lieberman
7/1/23
Pam
Mullin
7/1/23
Robert
Armstrong
7/1/24
Christina
Monk
7/1/24
Greg
Gorton
7/1/25
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMM.
3 Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Wed. 5:30 p.m., Federal Bldg.
Mark
Ward
7/1/23
Amy
Eudaley Housing Commission Rep.
8/17/23
Alan
Vincent
7/1/23
Tyler
Stoffel
7/1/24
Beth
McGrath
7/1/24
Open
Open
7/1/22
Open
Open
7/1/22
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 2nd Tues., 4:30 p.m. MFC or varied locations
Robin
Kennicker
6/30/23
Justin
Hochberger
6/30/23
Jessica
Ochoa
6/30/23
Jennifer
Tigges
6/30/24
Ray
Werner
6/30/22
Robert
McCoy
6/30/22
Hobie
Wood
6/30/22
RESILIENT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 1st Thur. 5:00 p.m. , Jule Op. & Train. Center
Jacob Kohlhaas
7/1/22
Robin Kennicker
Commission Rep. 7/30/23
Craig Reber
Commission Rep. 7/1/22
Katharine Connolly
7/1/24
Adam Hoffman
7/1/24
Joshua Chamberland
7/1/22
Whitney Sanger 7/1/22
Dean Boles 7/1/23
Lalith Jayawickrama 7/1/23
TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD
3 Yr. Term - Meets monthly, 2nd Thur. Intermodal Transit Station
Luanna
Gerdemann
7/30/22
Garrett
Heidenreich
7/30/23
Greg
Orwoll
7/30/23
Robert
Daughters
7/30/23
Matthew
Esser
7/30/24
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 1st Wed., 6:00 p.m., Fed. Bldg..
Matthew
Mulligan Airport ZAC Rep. Primary Comm.
7/1/22
Martha
Christ
7/1/23
Rebecca
Kemp Airport ZAC Rep. Primary Comm.
7/1/23
Teri
Zuccaro
7/1/23
Richard
Russell
7/1/24
Open
Open
7/1/24
Pat
Norton
7/1/22
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
5 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Thur., 5:30 p.m. Fed. Bldg..
Gwen
Kosel Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Comm.
3/25/24
Keith
Ahlvin
3/25/25
Jonathan
McCoy
3/25/26
Bethany
Golombeski
Matthew
Mauss Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Comm..
3/25/23
VACANCIES — REMOVAL — TERMS, §69.16A
69.16A Gender balance.
1. All appointive boards, commissions, committees, and councils of the state established
by the Code, if not otherwise provided by law, shall be gender balanced. No person shall
be appointed or reappointed to any board, commission, committee, or council established
by the Code if that appointment or reappointment would cause the number of members of
the board, commission, committee, or council of one gender to be greater than one-half
the membership of the board, commission, committee, or council plus one if the board,
commission, committee, or council is composed of an odd number of members. If the board,
commission, committee, or council is composed of an even number of members, not more
than one-half of the membership shall be of one gender. If there are multiple appointing
authorities for a board, commission, committee, or council, they shall consult each other to
avoid a violation of this section.
2. All appointive boards, commissions, committees, and councils of a political subdivision
of the state that are established by the Code, if not otherwise provided by law, shall be
gender balanced as provided by subsection 1 unless the political subdivision has made a
good faith effort to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy on a board, commission,
committee, or council in compliance with subsection 1 for a period of three months but
has been unable to make a compliant appointment. In complying with the requirements of
this subsection, political subdivisions shall utilize a fair and unbiased method of selecting
the best qualified applicants. This subsection shall not prohibit an individual whose term
expires prior to January 1, 2012, from being reappointed even though the reappointment
continues an inequity in gender balance.
86 Acts, ch 1245, §2041; 87 Acts, ch 218, §8; 88 Acts, ch 1150, §1; 2009 Acts, ch 162, §1, 2
Referred to in §8D.3, 15E102, 15H.3, 23.3, 28A.7, 35A.2, 80.28, 84A.1A, 84A.4, 135.43, 135.109, 142A.3, 148.2A, 155A.2A, 159A.13,
216A.12, 216A.92A, 216A.132, 216A.162, 217.43, 235B.1, 252B.22, 256.5A, 256.35A, 272.3, 273.15, 284.15, 303A.5, 314.22, 418.5, 455A.20,
455B.150, 514E.2, 542.4, 904A.2A
Tue Nov 24 21:20:54 2020 Iowa Code 2021, Section 69.16A (14, 0)
Q: What are the new requirements for gender balance on city
boards and commissions?
A: During the 20091egislative session, legislation (HF243) was
passed that extends to cities and counties gender balance require-
ment for all appointive boards, commissions, committees and
councils created by the Iowa code. In other words, bodies cities
are required to have under Iowa code when they provide certain
functions or services, such as the planning and zoning commission,
library boards and the board of adjustment, with appointed (not
elected) members, must be gender balanced.
Q: What does `gender balanced' mean?
A: Gender balance means if the body has an even number of ap-
pointees, it must be evenly made up of men and women. For exam-
ple, three women and three men must serve on a six member board.
If the body has an odd number of appointees, it must be "one half
plus one" of either gender. For instance, if there are five members,
three could be men and the other two women, or vice versa.
Q: When do the changes go into effect?
A: Cities must have gender balanced boards, commissions, com-
mittees and councils by January 1, 2012. This does not prohibit an
individual whose term expires prior to January 1, 2012, from being
reappointed even though the reappointment continues an inequity
in gender balance; however, cities should start planning upcoming
appointments now, to ensure gender balance is reached by that date.
Making a chart of existing boards and upcoming vacancies, and/
or keeping track of current appointments and necessary recruit-
ing periods would be a good start to ensuring your city is tracking
gender balance, and is prepared for the January 1, 2012 implementa-
tion date.
Q: Is there any option if my city simply cannot find a person to
serve on the board or commission of the needed gender?
A: Yes. Under the new code section, cities that make a good faith
effort to find a qualified person of the necessary gender to fill the
position for a period of three months and are unable to do so may
appoint a person to the position regardless of the gender balance
requirement.
Q: What constitutes a "good faith effort"?
A: There is no hard and fast definition, but cities should be able
to demonstrate a legitimate effort during the three month time
period to recruit qualified members of the necessary gender, before
appointing a member that creates gender imbalance. In addition,
the legislation requires that cities must always "utilize a fair and
unbiased method of selecting the best qualified applicants," regard-
less of gender.
Q: Is there a reporting requirement?
A: No. The legislation did not include a reporting requirement;
however, many cities keep information on their boards and
commissions —including current members- posted online, to better
inform citizens of the makeup of local governing bodies.
Q: How can I recruit more women or men to volunteer for
these positions?
A: The Commission on the Status of Women has prepared a guide
to help cities learn how to recruit gender balanced boards and com-
missions. This resource can be found at www.women.iowa.gov/
whats_new/index.html. The Commission also prepared a guide
called the "Five Step Guide to City and County Boards and How to
Get Appointed" to be used as a tool by interested women to learn
more about how to get involved in city boards and commissions.
By Jessica Hyland Harder, League Government Affairs Counsel
September 2009 Cityscape 22