Updated Boards and Commissions ApplicationCopyrighted
September 15, 2025
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 7.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Updated Boards and Commissions Application
SUMMARY: City Clerk providing an updated version of the application for
boards and commissions and the discontinuation of optional
demographic data collection.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Memo
2. 2025 Application —Redline
Page 313 of 1171
THE CITY OF
DUB t TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque City Clerk's Office
City Hall
50 W. 131h Street
All-AmedcaCity Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4100 office
(563) 589-0890 fax
ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org
2007.2012 •2013 www.cityofdubuque.org
TO: Mayor Brad M. Cavanagh and Members of the City Council
FROM: Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
DATE: September 9, 2025
SUBJECT: Updated Boards and Commissions Application
The City Clerk's Office is providing an updated version of the application for boards and
commissions in response to recent changes in state law. The State of Iowa recently
enacted House File 856, which amends Iowa Code Chapter 19 and establishes new legal
parameters regarding the language, practices, and programming related to diversity,
equity, and inclusion (DEI) within local government operations. In alignment with this
legislation, the boards and commissions application has been revised to remove the
question regarding applicants' experiences working in diverse environments. A redlined
version of the application, highlighting the removal of the question, is enclosed for your
reference. This question will not be replaced, as the existing open-ended questions
sufficiently capture applicants' interests and qualifications for serving. A review of
applications used by other Iowa cities, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Cedar
Rapids, Ankeny, and Iowa City, shows consistent focus on applicants' interest in serving
and relevant experience, which is appropriate given the volunteer nature of these roles.
Additionally, the City will no longer collect optional demographic information as part of the
application process. While this information was previously intended to help assess
representation and inform recruitment strategies, it was not widely utilized and may now
be considered inconsistent with the requirements of House File 856.
This information is being provided for City Council to receive and file.
cc: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Trish Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
Page 314 of 1171
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
DUB E""n"p'
Masterpiece on the Mississippi ���
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA 2007.2012•202017*2019
BOARD/COMMISSION APPLICATION
This application is a public document and as such can be reproduced and distributed for the public.
Specific attention should be directed to possible conflicts of interest. For further clarification, if a situation
arises, contact the City Clerk's Office or the City Attorney's Office.
The City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 50 West 131h 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.
General Eligibility Requirements for All Boards and Commissions
Note: Additional requirements may apply to certain boards and commissions. Please refer to the specific
board/commission details for more information.
• Residency within the corporate city limits
• Minimum age of 18
• Cannot be employed by the City of Dubuque
BOARD/COMMISSION APPLYING FOR:
1►/_1►TAIII
PRONUNCIATION:
**Example Name: Petrona Dominguez
**Pronunciation: [Peh-Tro-Nuh Dough-MIN-Gezz]
STREET ADDRESS:
PAIN
You must live within the corporate city limits of Dubuque to be eligible for a city board or commission
PREFERRED PHONE NUMBER: ( )
E-MAIL ADDRESS(ES):
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CITY OF DUBUQUE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS?
❑ City of Dubuque Website, ❑ City Life or another City of Dubuque Program,
❑ City of Dubuque social media, ❑ Through a friend,
❑ Other: Please specify:
2. HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CITY LIFE PROGRAM: ❑ YES ❑ NO
If so, when?
3. ARE YOU CURRENTLY SERVING ON A CITY BOARD OR COMMISSION: ❑ YES ❑ NO
If yes, which?
4. HAVE YOU SERVED ON A CITY BOARD OR COMMISSION BEFORE: ❑ YES ❑ NO
If yes, which?
Page 315 of 1171
For this section, please feel free to attach additional pages if necessary.
WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS BOARD OR COMMISSION?
DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCES (PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL, OR VOLUNTEER), SKILLS,
AND/OR EDUCATION THAT HAVE PREPARED YOU FOR SERVICE ON THIS BOARD/COMMISSION:
SHARE YOUREXPERIENCE WORKING IN DIVERSE E VIRONMEN
LIST TWO PROFESIONAL REFERENCES: (Examples: employer, coworker, client, vendor, mentor,
volunteer organizer, etc.)
NAME:
PHONE NUMBER
RELATIONSHIP:
NAME:
PHONE NUMBER:
RELATIONSHIP:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I acknowledge that I have accurately and truthfully completed the application to the best of my
knowledge. I also confirm that I meet the eligibility requirements for the board or commission to
which I am applying.
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
Page 316 of 1171
INTRODUCING YOURSELF TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
Once there is a vacancy for the board or commission you are applying for, your application will be reviewed
by the City Council at a regular City Council meeting and appointed at a subsequent meeting.
1. You are encouraged to attend the Application Review meeting to briefly introduce yourself to the
City Council and be available for any questions regarding your application. The City Clerk's Office
will inform you of the meeting date via email.
2. If you are not able to attend the meeting to introduce yourself, please consider sending the City
Council an email to introduce yourself and state your reasons for applying. You can contact the
City Council directly at www.citvofdubugue.org/counciIcontacts Fill in the required sections and
select "City Council" as the department. Your message will be received by each of the council
members.
3. If attending in person, during the Boards and Commissions section on the agenda, the Mayor will
ask if there is anyone present to speak to the application.
4. Step to the podium, state your name and address and then tell the City Council a little bit about
yourself and why you would like to serve on the board or commission.
5. Please keep your comments to less than 5 minutes. City Council meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. in
the second -floor Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
At a subsequent City Council meeting, the City Council will appoint applicants to the vacant term(s). The
City Clerk's Office will notify you if you are appointed via email.
Please contact the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001.
563-589-4120; ctyclerk(@cityofdubugue.org if you have questions.
Thank you for your interest in the City of Dubuque Boards and Commissions.
Page 317 of 1171