HomeMy WebLinkAboutBy-Laws Climate Action Commission FINAL 12-3-19
BY-LAWS
IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
ARTICLE 1 THE COMMISSION
Section A. The name of the Commission is the Climate Action Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, as
established by Resolution No. 19-251 of the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa.
ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE
Section A. The purpose of the Commission is to enhance and enable further community efforts to achieve
the City’s ambitious climate goals.
ARTICLE 3 DUTIES
Section A. Duties of the Commission shall include:
1) advise the City Council on climate issues;
2) research, analyze, and promote climate actions, with particular attention to equity;
3) educate and engage with the public on climate action and the City’s climate and sustainability goals;
4) assist City staff, City Council, and members of the community with implementing approved initiatives
that support the City’s climate and sustainability goals, including the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
and any related or updated plan hereafter;
5) recommend to the City Council updates to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
ARTICLE 4 MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Members The Climate Action Commission shall consist of eleven (11) members with
backgrounds, knowledge, and expertise offering representation across the community which could
effectively guide implementation of climate objectives. MidAmerican Energy and the University of Iowa
will each have a standing representative on the Commission.
Section B. Appointment Nine (9) at-large members, representing key stakeholders, will be appointed by the
City Council of Iowa City. Key stakeholders may include, but are not limited to, the Iowa City Community
School District, area commercial businesses, local industry, design and construction professionals, non-
profits and the general public.
Section C. Residency Residents of Iowa City should be given preference, but members are not required to
have Iowa City residency. Members must be residents of Johnson County.
Section D. Terms Member terms shall be three (3) years beginning January 1, with a two-term limit.
Section E. Officers The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson will be elected annually (in January) from the
Commission membership. The Chairperson shall, when present, preside at all meetings, appoint
sub-committees with the approval of the Commission, call special meetings and in general perform all
duties included in the office of a Chairperson and such other duties as may be prescribed by the members
from time to time. The Vice-Chairperson shall take over the above duties of the Chairperson in the event of
the Chairperson's absence.
Section F. Compensation and Expenses Commissioners shall serve without compensation but may be
reimbursed for expenses incurred or travel outside of Johnson County on designated Commission business.
Such expenses shall have prior approval by the City Manager of Iowa City upon the request of the
2
Sustainability Coordinator. Receipts for all such expenses shall be stipulated to the City Manager of Iowa
City through the Sustainability Coordinator prior to reimbursement for such expenses.
Section G. Orientation of new Members Prior to the first regular meeting following their appointment, new
Commissioners shall be provided with copies of the By-Laws and other documentation that would be useful
to Commission members in carrying out their duties. They may also be given an orientation briefing by
members of the staff, the Commission and others as may be deemed appropriate.
Section H. Absences Three (3) consecutive, unexplained absences of a member from regular meetings will
result in a recommendation to the City Council from the Commission to discharge said member and appoint
a new member.
Section I. Resignations If any member is unable to continue carrying out the duties of membership for any
reason, the member, if appointed by the City Council, shall email a letter of resignation to the City Council
with a copy to the Chair of the Commission.
Section J. Working Groups The working groups composition, duties and terms will be designated by a
majority vote of the members of the Commission. Members of the public may be members of working
groups.
ARTICLE 5 MEETINGS
Section A. Meetings of this Commission shall be on a regular monthly basis. A meeting date and time will
be established by the Commission. A regular meeting may be cancelled if no urgent business requires a
meeting.
Section B. Special meetings of the Commission may be called by the Chairperson and shall be called by the
Chairperson at the request of a majority of the membership.
Section C. Meetings shall be held in an accessible, public meeting place. Notices of meetings (agenda) for
all regular and special meetings shall be posted at least 24 hours before any meeting is held. All provisions
of the State Open Meetings Law shall be followed. The Chairperson, or a designated representative, together
with appropriate members of the City staff shall prepare an agenda for all meetings. Agendas shall be sent to
Commission members at least 24 hours prior to the regular meetings.
Section D. A majority of the members of the Commission (six or more) shall constitute a quorum of any
meeting and the majority of votes cast at any meeting, at which a quorum is present, shall be decisive of any
motion or election.
Section E. There shall be no vote by proxy.
Section F. Time shall be made available during all regular meetings for open public discussion.
Section G. Minutes of all meetings shall be prepared and distributed to the City Council in the manner
prescribed by the Council. Minutes of all regular and special meetings will be e-mailed to all the
Commission members during the week prior to the next meeting. Specific recommendations for the Council
shall be set off from the main body of the minutes.
Section H. A working group/subcommittee meeting is not a meeting of the full Commission, unless six
Commissioners are present.
3
ARTICLE 6 AMENDMENTS
Section A. The By-Laws of the Commission shall be amended only with the approval of at least a majority
of the Commission (at least six votes) at a regular meeting or a special meeting.
Section B. By-Law changes may be adopted at the meeting following the meeting at which open discussion
was conducted on the specific changes.
Approved: 12/03/19
By Resolution No. 19-283