Boards & Commissions

The Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC) issues reports, conducts educational activities, and participates in and/or sponsors community events that promote good will among various racial, religious, and ethnic groups and minimize or eliminate discriminatory practices. Appointments take into consideration various racial, religious, cultural, and social groups and geographical areas within the City of Ames. Meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of six to eight hours.

Ames Human Relations Commission

The mission of the Ames International Partner Cities Association (AIPCA) is to promote cultural and educational exchanges between the people of the City of Ames and those of its partner cities. Ames presently has one designated partner city: Koshu City, Japan. While AIPCA is not an official board of the City, four delegates are appointed by the Mayor. Meets the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of two hours.

AIPCA

The Ames Resident Police Advisory Committee (ARPAC) provides a resident perspective to the Chief of Police in the evaluations of complaints; provides thoughtful recommendations regarding policies and practices of the Ames Police Department; provides an annual report to the City Council; increases public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the Ames Police Department. Meets at least quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of two hours.

ARPAC

The purpose of the Analysis of Social Services Evaluation Team (ASSET) is to promote coordination of human services planning and funding among the sponsoring organizations (City of Ames, United Way of Story County, ISU Student Government, and Story County) and to provide assistance in funding recommendations or allocations to any funding sponsor requesting such assistance. Meets on the second Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. In January, board members may meet up to four times in a two-week period to finalize funding recommendations. Board members holding a board position (chair, vice-chair, or treasurer) are part of the ASSET Administrative Team and have an additional monthly meeting.

ASSET

The Board of Review has the power to confirm, adjust upward, or adjust downward, any assessment in its jurisdiction and is guided by Iowa Code. Appointed by the Ames Conference Board, it is composed of Ames residents who are familiar with the local real estate market. The Board is in session every year beginning May 1 and adjourns after reviewing all tax assessment appeals filed with the Assessor’s office (no later than July 15). The Board sets its own schedule during session and could potentially meet several days each week during the month of May. Time commitment in May ranges from 10 to 80 hours.

Board of Review

The Building Board of Appeals hears appeals in matters of building construction, safety and Code compliance within the scope of the building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes. It consists of seven members from the following professions: licensed architect, professional engineer, general contractor, homebuilder, licensed journeyperson or master electrician or electrical contractor, licensed journeyperson or master plumber or plumbing contractor, and licensed master HVAC technician or mechanical contractor. Meets as needed to hear appeals on the first Monday of the month at 4 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of two hours when there is an appeal.

Building Board of Appeals

The Civil Service Commission oversees City employment practices, including entrance examinations, appointments, promotions, and reduction-in-force procedures for permanent, full-time Civil Service employees. Holds hearings on appeals for decisions of suspension, demotion, or discharge of employees. Appointees must be residents of Ames for five years. Meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 8:15 a.m. Average monthly time commitment of one hour.

Civil Service Commission

The Commission on the Arts (COTA) is charged with setting goals and criteria for arts expenditures for City Council approval and with preparing and submitting a recommended plan for distribution of arts funding. COTA generally meets the first Monday of the month at 5 pm. Average monthly time commitment of one hour.

COTA

The Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board (EUORAB) investigates and reviews the operations of the Ames Municipal Electric Utility; reports to the City Council regarding management practices, planning and proposals, including rate structures and power sale contracts; and provides advice and proposals to the City Council on other matters as needed. Five members are qualified by demonstrated expertise or experience in generation, distribution, or marketing of energy. Typically meets on the third Thursday of the month at noon. Average monthly time commitment of two to three hours.

EUORAB

The Historic Preservation Commission reviews and makes recommendations on proposals for designating areas as historic districts; provides information within districts on preservation, renovation, rehabilitation, and reuse; holds hearings and reviews applications for new construction, alteration, demolition, or relocation of landmarks or property or structures within districts; and, reviews proposed zoning amendments that affect landmarks and districts. Members are Ames residents with due regard to relevant fields of knowledge, including but not limited to, history, urban planning, architecture, archeology, law, and sociology. Meets on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of three hours.

Historic Preservation Commission

The duties of the Library Board of Trustees are to have charge, control, and supervision of the public library; be responsible for budget and approve expenditures; develop/work to implement long-range goals; establish rules and regulations; accept gifts; and authorize use of the library by nonresidents. Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of three to five hours.

Library Board of Trustees

The duties of the Parks and Recreation Commission include making rules and planning for development and continuation of City parks, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities, programs, and activities. Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of two to four hours.

Parks and Recreation Commission 

The powers of the Planning and Zoning Commission include making surveys, studies, maps, plans, or charts of the City or of surrounding areas which have bearing upon Ames. The Commission makes recommendations in response to referrals from the City Council and on topics including changes in zoning, location of City facilities and streets, and comprehensive plans for the City. Meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of four to five hours.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Project Share Committee is composed of the members of the Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board (EUORAB), the City of Ames Utility Accounts Supervisor, and two appointed members from community or regional organizations active in assisting residents with winter heating bills. The purpose of the committee is to solicit and accept contributions from customers of the utility which will be used to assist low-income customers of the utility. The committee meets once a year (typically in January) for approximately two hours.

Project Share Committee

The Property Maintenance Appeals Board hears appeals on decisions of the Building Official in regard to interpretation and application of the City's Rental Housing Code. Consists of seven members representing the following constituencies: one small/medium property landlord (owns fewer than 50 rental dwelling units), one large property landlord (owns 50 or more rental dwelling units), two neighborhood resident owner-occupants with no financial interest in residential rental property, one long term tenant (non-student renter for more than five years), one student tenant (full-time post-secondary student renter), and one general contractor (with financial interest in not more than six rental properties). Meets as needed to hear appeals on the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of two hours when there is an appeal.

Property Maintenance Appeals Board

The Public Art Commission (PAC) establishes public art philosophy and develops a public art plan for the City; monitors the public art budget and recommends funding allocations for public art within City facilities; develops guidelines for selecting artwork; seeks private and governmental funding for public art; and develops educational, promotional projects for public arts programming. Meets the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of three to four hours.

PAC

The Public Nuisance Appeals Board hears appeals of nuisances as declared by the Building Official in accordance with Chapter 30 of the Municipal Code. The Board has the authority to affirm or reverse the decision of the Building Official or to grant additional time for abatement. The Board’s seven members include one resident from each of the four wards and three from the city at large. Meets as needed to hear appeals on the first Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of two hours when there is an appeal.

Public Nuisance Appeals Board

The Transit Agency Board of Trustees is charged with the responsibility to oversee the operation, management, control, and governance of transit services provided by the Transit Agency (CyRide), an administrative agency of the City of Ames. The six-member board consists of the Ames City Manager, an Iowa State University Senior Vice President, a member of the Ames City Council, an appointee by the Mayor of Ames, an Iowa State University Government of the Student Body (GSB) Senator, and an appointee by the President of GSB. Generally meets the third Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. Average monthly time commitment of one hour.

Transit Agency Board of Trustees

The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears applications and appeals pertaining to zoning regulations on errors, exceptions, special permits, conditional use permits, and variances. Meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from April through October; meets the second Wednesday only from November through March. Average monthly time commitment of four hours April – October and two hours November - March.

Zoning Board of Adjustment