Boards and Commission AppointmentsCopyrighted
May 17, 2021
City of Dubuque Boards/Commissions # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Boards and Commission Appointments
SUMMARY: Appointments to the following commissions to be made at this meeting.
Zoning Advisory Commission
One, 3-Year term through July 1, 2023 (Vacant term of Smith)
Applicant:
Teri Zuccaro, 1765 Plymouth Ct.
This commission is subject to the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.
7 Commissioners total; currently 3 males/3 females/1 opening
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
5-17-21 Overview Sheet - Master
Zoning Advisory Commission Applicant
Details and Openings
Gender Balance Law Text
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, May 17, 2021
6:30 p.m., Virtual Meeting
APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONS
TO BE MADE AT THIS MEETING.
Zoning Advisory Commission
One, 3-Year term through July 1, 2023 (Vacant term of Smith)
Applicant:
Teri Zuccaro, 1765 Plymouth Ct.
This commission is subject to the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.
7 Commissioners total; currently 3 males/3 females/1 opening
Title 16
Chapter 9
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
Amended 7-6-15
Amended 9-19-16
A. Commission Created:
There is hereby created the Zoning Advisory Commission.
B. Purpose:
The purpose of the commission is to make recommendations to the city council on
applications for rezoning, subdivision plat approval, and text amendments to the Zoning
Ordinance; to receive input from applicants, neighboring property owners, citizens, and city
staff; to review applications in terms of their impact on the neighborhood, community,
environment, and the city's utilities and transportation systems; and to forward to the city
council the commission's recommendations with the assistance of Planning Services staff.
C. 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.
D. Procedures for Operation:
All administrative, personnel, accounting, budgetary, and procurement policies of the city
govern the commission in all its operations.
E. Membership:
1. The commission comprises seven (7) residents of the city, appointed by the city
council.
2. Residents must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
3. Qualifications.
a. Members must be qualified by knowledge, experience, and ability to act in matters
pertaining to short-range planning and zoning, none of whom hold an elective
position in the city.
b. Two (2) members of the Zoning Advisory Commission must be appointed to serve
on the Airport Zoning Advisory Commission, with city council approval.
4. Membership on the commission must comply with the provisions of Iowa Code
§69.16A, relating to gender balance. No person can 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.
F. 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.
G. Terms:
The term of office for commissioners is three (3) years or until such commissioner's
successor is appointed and qualified. The terms of the cross- representative appointees to
the Airport Zoning Advisory Commission must coincide with their terms on the Airport Zoning
Advisory Commission.
H. Vacancies:
Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as original appointments.
I. Officers/Organization:
The commissioners must choose annually a chairperson and vice -chairperson, each to serve
a term of one (1) year. The chairperson must appoint a secretary, who need not be a member
of the commission. The commissioners must fill a vacancy among its officers for the
remainder of the officer's unexpired term.
J. Meetings:
1. Meetings: Meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the written request of a
majority of the commissioners.
2. Open Meetings: All meetings must be called and held in conformance with the Iowa
open meetings law.
3. Attendance:
a. 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.
b. Attendance must be entered upon the minutes of all meetings.
4. 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.
5. Quorum: Four (4) commissioners constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners present and voting is necessary
except at least four (4) affirmative votes shall be required in the case of:
a) text amendment to the zoning ordinance
b) a substantial zoning reclassification
c) approval, denial, or amendment of a planned district application
d) adoption of any plan or report
e) amendment of a comprehensive plan
K. 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 budget.
L. Removal:
Except as provided in J(4)(a), the city council may remove any commissioner for good cause.
M. Powers:
The commission has the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:
1. To prepare and recommend a zoning ordinance to exercise the powers conferred by
state law. Such zoning ordinance must include the boundaries of the various zoning
districts; the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures in each
district; the percentage of ground that may be occupied; setback requirements; the size
of yards, courts, and other open space; the density of population; the location and use of
buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, commercial, residential, or other
purposes; and such regulations and restrictions necessary to enforce such zoning
provisions. To this end the commission must prepare a preliminary zoning ordinance and
hold public hearings thereon and after such hearings have been held, and submit a final
zoning ordinance and its recommendations to the city council;
2. To recommend to the city council, from time to time, as conditions require,
amendments, supplements, changes, or modifications to the zoning ordinance but only
after a public hearing;
3. To make such surveys, studies, maps, plans, or plats of the whole or any portion of the
city and of any land outside thereof, which in the opinion of the commission are
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and are necessary to carry out the purposes of
the commission;
4. To make recommendations to the city council upon plans, plats, or re -plats of
subdivisions or re -subdivisions within the city which show streets, alleys, or other portions
of the same intended to be dedicated for public use;
5. To make recommendations to the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission on the
preparation and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan;
6. To fulfill those duties and responsibilities assigned to a city planning commission in
state law; and
7. To undertake from time to time other specific short-range planning projects which may
be referred to it by the city council.
N. Waiver From Site Design Standards:
The commission has the power to grant such waivers from the site design standards of this
code, as may be reasonable and within the general purpose and intent of the site plan review
and approval provisions of this code if the literal enforcement of one or more provisions of
this code is impracticable or will exact an undue hardship because of peculiar conditions
pertaining to the land in question. The affirmative vote of at least four (4) commissioners shall
be necessary to grant a waiver. The waiver may be granted subject to such conditions as the
commission may establish to ensure the general purpose and intent of the provisions of this
code are followed. At the commission meeting, the applicant and all other interested parties
must be presented a reasonable opportunity to present their views. Decisions of the
commission may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in the same manner as
appeals from a decision of an administrative officer.
From: norelly(a civicplus.com
To: Adrienne Breitfelder; Trish Gleason; Jane Glennon; Wally Wernimont; Guy Hemenwav
Subject: Online Form Submittal: Board/Commission Application Form
Date: April 21, 2021 11:05:51 AM
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, Zoning Advisory Commission
Commission, or
Committee applying
for:
Please select which Airport Zoning Advisory Commission Representative, At -Large
vacancy you are
applying for on the
Zoning Advisory
Commission.
Name: Teri Zuccaro
Gender (choose all Woman
that apply) Note:
Some City
Boards/Commissions
are subject to the
gender balance
requirement in Iowa
Code Section 69.16A
If trans or Field not completed.
transgender please
specify:
If another identity Field not completed.
please specify:
Home Address: 1765 Plymouth Court
PLEASE NOTE: you
must live within the
Dubuque city limits
to apply/serve on a
City of Dubuque
board or commission
Zip Code:
Home Phone
Number:
Business Name:
Business Address:
Business Zip Code:
Business Phone
Number:
Occupation:
Position with
Company
Email Address(es):
52003
5635838812
Clarke University
1550 Clarke Drive
52001
5635886536
CPA
Accounting Instructor
teri.zuccaro@clarke.edu
Experience or
I have been a resident/citizen of Dubuque since 1993. 1 have been an
education which
accounting instructor at Clarke University for 27 years, and also
qualifies you for this
perform accounting functions for my husband's dental practice in
board or
Dubuque. I am active in the community and am currently the Chair of
commission:
the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque and a DuRide volunteer driver. I have held the Treasurer
position for numerous organizations in the past (Bryant Elementary
School, Washington Middle School, Mazzuchelli Middle School,
Dubuque Jaycees, Mercy Service Club, and Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church).
What contributions I am interested in learning more about the City of Dubuque and the
can you make or various functions. I feel it is important as a citizen to get involved and
state reason for educating oneself on the various areas of government.
applying?
Describe your As an accounting instructor and board member for numerous
experience working organizations, I have had the opportunity to work in very diverse
in diverse environments and with individuals with diverse backgrounds.
environments:
Describe your As an accounting instructor and board member for numerous
experience engaging organizations, I feel I am a good listener, and actively engage with
other community others in discussion regarding relevant/current topics.
members to gather
their input and
opinions:
List two references: Nancy Van Milligen: (563) 590-2400
(include their name Tami Ryan: (563) 580-5109
and phone number)
Are you currently No
serving on other
Boards,
Commissions, or
Committees?
If yes, which? Field not completed.
Have you served on Yes
a Board,
Commission, or
Committee before?
If yes, which? Investment Oversight Advisory Commission
Have you No
participated in the
City Life program?
If so, when? Field not completed.
Have you No
participated in the
Intercultural
Competency
Program?
If so when? 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 Teri Zuccaro
name here as
electronic
verfication):
Date: 4/21 /2021
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
Click here to report this email as spam.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DETAILS AND OPENINGS
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
Indicates State - mandated board/commission
subject to the 2012 Gender Balance Law.
Open Indicates Current Opening
X/X/2021 Indicates openings within 2021
AIRPORT COMMISSION
4 Yr. Term - Meets 4th Monday 4 p.m. - Airport
Douglas
Brotherton
9/14121
Marianne
Kurtz -Weber
9/14/21
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
2/15/21
Gwen
KOsel
Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Comm.
3/25/24
Open
Open
County Representative
2115/21
Matthew
Mauss
Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Camm.
3/25/23
Open
Open
Appointed by4 memb.
unknown
AIRPORT ZONING COMMISSION
6 Yr. Term - Apptd. 1996, Meets on Call
Open
Open Appointed by members
12/31/26
Open
Open County Representative
12/31/26
Open
Open County Representative
12/31/26
Open
Open City ZAC Representative
7/1/22
Matthew
Mulligan Airport ZAC Rep. Primary Comm.
711122
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets Monthly., Library Board Room
Paula
Neuhaus
Business Prof.-Living/Working In
6/30/21
Gina
Siegert
Business Prof.
6/30/21
Tyler
Daugherty
At -Large
6/30/21
Ali
Levasseur
Arts Rep
6/30/22
Ryan
Decker
Arts Rep
6/30/22
Susan
Riedel
Arts Rep
6/30/22
Nicholas
Haider
Arts Rep
6130/22
BUILDING CODE ADVISORY AND APPEALS BOARD
3 Yr. Term -
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
Open
Open
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
Multidisciplinary representative
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., 4:00 pm
Pauline
Maloney
7/1/23
Garrett
Heidenreich
7/1/23
Ronald
Tigges
7/1/23
Open
Open
7/1/21
Open
Open
7/1/21
Jennifer
Tigges
7/1/24
Alan
Vincent
7/1/21
CIVIC CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets last Monday of each month, 3:30 p.m.
Bi-Monthly starting Jan., Five Flags
Tyler
Daugherty
6/29/21
Mc Kenzie
Blau
6/29/22
Nicholas
Huff
6/29/22
Bryce
Parks
6/29/21
Rod
Bakke
6/29/22
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
4 Yr. Term - Meets on Call
Phil Baskerville 4/6/22
Carla Heathcote 4/6/24
Daniel White 4/6/21
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Tue., 5:30 p.m., Federal Bldg./Housing
Hilary
Dalton
Housing Commission Liaison
8/17/21
Kelly
Fox
Low/Mod Income Area
2/15/23
Hilary
Dalton
Low/Modlncome Area
2/15/23
Gerald
Hammel, Jr.
At -Large
2/15/23
Julie
Woodyard
Low/Modlncome Area
2/15/24
Open
Open
At -Large
2/15/21
Janice
Craddieth
Low/Modlncome Area
2/15/22
Michelle
Hinke
At -Large
2/15/22
Dean
Boles
At -Large
2/15/22
DUBUQUE COMMUNITY POLICE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
2 Yr. Term - Meets 3rd Thursday. 5:30 p.m. at MFC
Weston
Jason
Alternate
4/1/21
Schneider
Sarah
Primary
10/1/22
Meier
Steven
Alternate
8/30/21
Kundert
Rob
Primary
8/31/21
Hinke
Michelle
Alternate
8/31/21
Serna
Dora
Primary
5/20/21
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
Langworthy District
7/1/23
Christina
Monk
Architect At -Large
7/1/23
Open
Open
Old Main District- Interim
7/1/21
William
Doyle
At -Large
7/1/21
John
Mc Andrews
Cathedral District
7/1/23
Open
Open
At -Large
7/1/21
Brandi
Clark
At -Large
7/1/21
Open
Open
Jackson Park District - Interim
7/1/22
HOUSING APPEALS AND MEDIATION BOARD
3 - Yr Term
Gotz
Mary
Landlord 1/1/24
Lenhart
Jeff
1/1/24
Spence
Gil
1/1/24
Hoffmann
Luke
1/1/24
Open
Open
1/1/24
HOUSING COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets monthly 4th Tues., 4:00 p.m., Fed. Bldg.
Cynthia
Washington
section s Recipient
8/17/21
Jeff
Lenhart
At -Large
8/17/22
Margie
White
At -Large
8117/22
Rick
Baumhover
Trust Fund Rep. Primary Comm.
8/17/22
Janice
Craddieth
At -Large
8/17/23
Amy
Eudaley
Trust Fund Rep. Primary Comm.
8/17/23
Sam
Wooden
At -Large
8117/21
Gail
Weitz
At -Large
8/17/21
Michelle
Becwar
CDAC Rep. Primary Comm.
8117/21
Hilary
Dalton
At -Large
8/17/21
HOUSING TRUST FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
3 Yr. Term - Meets at least 2 times per year and as needed
Rick Baumhover Housing Commission Rep 8/17/22
Dorothy Schwendinger At -Large 8/17/22
Amy Eudaley Housing Commission Rep 8/17/23
Jim Holz At -Large 8/17/21
Michelle Becwar At -Large 8117/21
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 2nd Mon. 4:30 p.m., City Hall Annex
Pamela
Birch
1/1/22
Michael
Durnin
1/1/23
Mallory
Gardiner
1/1/23
Miquel
Jackson
1/1/23
Tayler
Merfeld
1/1/24
Klanea
Evans
1/1/24
Open
Open
1/1/22
Kathy
McCarthy
1/1/24
Carla
Anderson
1/1/22
INVESTMENT OVERSIGHT ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets Qrtly, 4th Wed. 3 p.m., City Hall
Paul
Lassance
7/1/23
Open
Open
711/21
Luke
Schiltz
7/1/21
Open
Open
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
7/1/21
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMM.
3 Yr. Term - Meets monthly 3rd Wed. 5:30 p.m., City Hall
Mark
Ward
7/1/23
Michelle
Becwar
Housing Commission Rep. 8/17/21
Alan
Vincent
7/1/23
Tyler
Stoffel
7/1/21
Open
Open
7/1/21
John
Krayer
7/1/22
Justin
Gross
7/1/22
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets 2nd Tues., 4:30 p.m. Bunker Hill
Robin
Kennicker
6/30/23
Justin
Hochberger
6/30/23
Jessica
Ochoa
6/30/23
Jennifer
Tigges
6/30/21
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.
Jacob
Kohlhaas
7/1/22
Robin
Kennicker
Commission Rep. 7/30/23
Craig
Reber
Commission Rep. 7/30/21
Sara
Booth
7/1/21
Adam
Hoffman
7/1/21
Candace
Eudaley-Loebach
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
Open
Open
7/30/23
Robert
Daughters
7/30/23
Matthew
Esser
7/30/21
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
3 Yr. Term - Meets monthly 1st Wed., 6:30p.m., Fed. Bldg..
Matthew
Mulligan
7/1/22
Martha
Christ
7/1/23
Rebecca
Kemp
7/1/23
Open
Open
Airport ZAC Rep. Primary Comm. 7/1/23
Richard
Russell
7/1/21
Brittany
Loeffelholz
7/1/21
Pat
Norton
7/1/22
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
5 Yr. Term - Meets monthly 4th Thur., 5:00 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
3/25/22
Matthew
Mauss
Airport ZBA Rep. Primary Camm. 3/25/23
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.
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