Long Range Comm Membershipplanning Services Department
Qty Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 520ffi~864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563) 5894221 fax
planning~5~ofdubnqne.org
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
July 25, 2001
O. c:~
~'D cO
Re: Membership Composition of Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Introduction
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission is recommending the following
changes to the make-up of the Commission:
1. Remove a Commissioner who has not met the attendance guidelines established
in Chapter 36 of the City Code requiring Commissioners to attend at least 2/3 of
the scheduled meetings in a 12 month period;
2. Eliminate the Zoning Advisory Commission liaison; and
3. Reduce the number of at large Commissioners from 8 to 6 resulting in 7 total
positions on the Commission.
Discussion
Recommended Change 1: One of the Commissioners appointed in September, 2000
has only attended 25% of the regularly scheduled meetings between September, 2000
and/JulY, 2001. As Chairperson, I have personally contacted this Commissioner
numerous times in the past months regarding the importance of attending meetings. At
the Commission's July 18, 2001 meeting, Commissioners unanimously voted to
recommend that this position be declared vacant.
Recommended Change 2: At the direction of the City Council and preference of the
Zoning Advisory Commission, the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has not
had aZoning Advisory Commission liaison since September, 2000. While the Long
Range Planning Advisory Commission feels that ongoing communication between the 2
commissions is important, we feel that this communication can be accomplished
through written materials and staff reports. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission that the Zoning Advisory Commission
liaison position be eliminated.
Recommended Change 3: If the City Council approves the Commission's
recommendation to eliminate the Zoning Advisory Commission's liaison position, there
Service People ]3~teg~c~ty Responsibility' Innovation Tezxmwork
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
July 25, 2001
Page 2
increase the number of at large positions, the Commission recommends that the City
Council eliminate one additional at large position. This reduces the total number of
Commissioners to 7 (6 at large positions and 1 Council member). The great majority of
the City's boards and commissions have 7 or fewer members.
Since last September, the Commission has had to cancel several meetings due to lack
of a quorum. This situation has slowed our progress on planning issues. With 7
members, the Commission believes we will be able to maintain a full roster and achieve
a quorum more easily.
Recommendation
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission respectfully recommends that the City
Council approve the following changes to the Commission's membership set forth in
Chapter 36 of the City Code:
1. Remove a Commissioner who has not met the attendance guidelines that require
Commissioners to attend at least 2/3 of the scheduled meetings in a 12 month
period;
2. Eliminate the Zoning Advisory Commission liaison; and
3. Reduce the number of at large Commissioners from 8 to 6, resulting in 7 total
positions on the Commission.
An ordinance amending Chapter 36 for these recommended changes is enclosed.
Note: If the above recommendations are approved, the Commission will have two
vacant at large positions.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lynn Neumeister, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Enclosure
Prepared by: Laura Camtens. City Planner Address: City Hall, S0 W. t3th Street Telephone: 589-4210
ORDINANCE NO. 49--01
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 36-4 OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES REGARDING COMPOSITION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY
COMMISSION
Whereas, the City Council has created a Long Range Planning Advisory Commission; and
Whereas, the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has recommended a change in the
Commission's composition; and
Whereas, the City'Council finds that this change in composition will be advantageous for long
range planning.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CI~( COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE,
IOWA:
Section 1. That Section 36-4 of the City Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 35-4. Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Created; Composition:
"There is hereby created a Cib/Long-Range Planning Advisory Commission, which shall consist
of seven (7) members, including a member of the City Council designated by the Council and six
(6) residents of the City appointed by the City Council who shall be qualified by their knowledge,
experience and ability to contribute to the City's long-range planning and development efforts.
The City Council shall annually designate a Council member to serve as an alternate in the
absence of the Council's designated representative."
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as provided by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this 6th day of August , 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk