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Boards & Commissions

Boards and commissions play an important role in governing in the City of Davenport. Membership is not to be taken lightly but should be considered as a contribution to maintain and improve the quality of life in the community. These advisory groups can be valuable community assets and effective partners with the City Council and City staff in guiding the future of the community.

The satisfaction of serving in a volunteer capacity as a member of a public board or commission is a personal achievement and provides a sound basis for further public service. Such service also lays the foundation for being effective citizens after membership on such boards and commissions has ended.

HOW TO APPLY

The Office of the Mayor accepts applications for any board or commission at any time, and the application stays active for one year from the date of receipt. Applicants must be a resident of the City of Davenport. Applicants can select multiple boards to apply for by using the dropdown menu on the application.  Boards and commissions may require compliance with the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.

If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, click Apply below.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide a valuable link to the community and to the various interests that make up the community
  • Assist in the development of policy recommendations to the City Council
  • Provide leadership and support to City staff
  • Promote the City and its programs
  • Provide expertise in specialized areas 

THE CITY OF DAVENPORT HAS 13 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

Affirmative Action Advisory Commission
Meeting Frequency

Bi-Monthly on the FourthThursday of each month at 4:00 p.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Members serve three year terms. The Affirmative Action Commission serves as a resource to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator and Affirmative Action Officer by reviewing, commenting and submitting recommendations for action on achieving affirmative action goals and objectives consistent with the vision of the City's Affirmative Action Compliance Program.

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Citizen's Advisory Committee
Meeting Frequency

First Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Established by the City Code, the Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) assists in the administration of the federal Community Development Block Grant program.  The City receives an annual grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  These funds may be used for a wide variety of housing, social service, and community development activities.  The CAC reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to the City Council on how the grant should be allocated.  In addition, the Committee monitors the performance of the activities funded and considers community needs in preparation for future funding decisions.  This Committee has fifteen members which serve two-year terms.

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Civil Rights Commission
Meeting Frequency

Second Tuesday of each month at noon

Meeting Location

 City Hall, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Members serve two year terms. The mission of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission is to secure for all individuals within our city freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, marital status and familial status in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and credit.

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Civil Service Commission
Meeting Frequency

Second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Meetings are conducted in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 400 and the Davenport Civil Service Commission Rules. Meetings are open to the public, subject to the exceptions in Iowa Code, Section 21.5. Employees covered by Civil Service Code may appear before the Commission concerning matters covered by Iowa Code Chapter 400. The Civil Service Clerk keeps minutes of all regular and special meetings. All records of the Commission are maintained by the Clerk in compliance with Davenport Municipal Code, Chapter 2.82

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Combined Construction Code Board of Appeals and Review
Meeting Frequency

Meets as needed

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

The Mayor shall strive to appoint one member who is a:  State of Iowa licensed electrical contractor or journeyman, State of Iowa licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman, State of Iowa licensed mechanical (HARV) contractor or journeyman, City of Davenport licensed Class A commercial building contractor, City of Davenport licensed Class B residential new construction contractor, architect, and a resident of Davenport.  The board shall be appointed to three year terms by the mayor with the concurrence of the city council. The board may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for conducting their meetings, investigations and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the building official with a duplicate copy to the appellant. A simple majority of the board shall constitute a quorum to transact the business of the board. A simple majority of the members present by voice vote shall be required on action by the board.


Design Review Board
Meeting Frequency

Fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m.

Meeting Location

 City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

The Design Review Board is an 11-member board, which considers design proposals in the C-D - Downtown Zoning District, C-V - Village of East Davenport Zoning District and C-E - Elmore Corners Zoning District.  

Forms & Applications

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Calendar and Deadlines

Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Frequency

Second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Members serve three year terms. Established by the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Commission has a range of responsibilities related to properties within the community, which have particular historic and architectural significance. Applications to become Local Landmarks or Historic Districts, proposed exterior changes to local designated historic properties, and proposed demolitions of properties on the National Register of Historic Places are reviewed by the Commission.

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Forms & Applications

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Calendar and Deadlines

Davenport Register of Historic Properties and Local Landmarks

Housing Commission
Meeting Frequency

Third Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Established by the City Code, the Housing Commission provides oversight for the Davenport Office of Assisted Housing which administers several programs within the City of Davenport to provide housing assistance to lower-income families. City-owned facilities eligible for rental assistance include the Heritage House, located downtown and providing 120 units of housing for the elderly and handicapped, and Scattered Site Public Housing, providing housing to 42 families in locations throughout the community. In addition, the Section 8 program provides housing assistance funding for more than 500 eligible families that reside in privately owned units. This five member commission primarily provides oversight by considering appeals from program participants or applicants to administrative actions taken by the Office of Assisted Housing but the commission is also consulted on changes to the office's administrative plans.


Riverfront Improvement Commission
Meeting Frequency

Fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

Members serve 6 year terms. The Davenport Levee Improvement Commission enhances the quality of life in our community by improving the riverfront through stewardship, innovative planning, and management of resources.

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Library Board of Trustees
Meeting Frequency

Third Tuesday of each month at noon

Meeting Location

 Davenport Public Library, 321 N. Main Street

Purpose

The Library Board of Trustees advocates for the Davenport Public Library, plans for its future, monitors and evaluates its effectiveness, adopts policies for the governance of the library and hires and evaluates the library director.

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Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Meeting Frequency

3rd Thursday of each month at 4:30p.m.

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

The purpose of the Davenport Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is to provide a forum for Davenport citizen input into matters involving the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department. The Advisory Board will assist with planning and advocacy, give feedback and offer advice to the Director of Davenport Parks and Recreation. The Board was created by the City Council in 1997 under Section 2.54.080. The board is comprised of 11 (eleven) persons; one to be selected by the Mayor, and one selected by each member of the Council. All appointments are to be confirmed by the City Council. Appointments are made for 3 (three) year terms and shall continue to serve in their full capacity until a successor has been duly appointed. That person can be reappointed.

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Plan & Zoning Commission
Meeting Frequency

Tuesdays prior to City Council Committee of the Whole meetings at 5:00 PM

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

The Commission holds meetings twice a month preceded by a public hearing. The Commission is charged with making recommendations to the City Council on all matters that pertain to the City's Comprehensive Plan. Among recurring matters considered by the Commission are zoning map amendments (rezonings), subdivision platting, right-of-way vacations or abandonments, site and final development plan reviews, and ordinance text amendments.

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Forms & Applications

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Subdivision Deadlines and Meeting Calendar

Rezoning, Right-of-Way Vacation, and Ordinance Change Deadline and Meeting Calendar 

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Meeting Frequency

2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM

Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street

Purpose

The ZBA is a five member citizen board. Members are appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the City Council. Appointments are for five years and are staggered with members serving without compensation. The Board holds regular meetings twice a month. The Board is authorized by the State Legislature and the City's Zoning Ordinance to hear and determine four categories of requests relating to the zoning ordinance.   

    • Special Use: specified uses otherwise prohibited or necessary to the function of the City may be permitted after public hearing and subject to review and necessary conditions.
    • Hardship Variance: provides relief from a specific section of the zoning regulations that pose an undue burden upon the property owner and/or tenant and subject to several conditions and/or meeting specific requirements.
    • Zoning Appeals: decisions, determinations, judgments and non-statutory requirements made by the development official or their designee may be appealed.

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Forms & Applications

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Calendar and Deadlines


Contact

Office of the Mayor
226 West 4th Street
Davenport, IA 52801
Phone:
(563) 326-7701
Email: