Advisory Board/Commission Application Form 

1)  Citizens are directly involved in their local government and can positively impact the future of their community.

2)  The Cit Council receives timely input and information regarding issues and potential impacts on citizens.

The various boards and commissions serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council within their respective areas of municipal policy.  Members are unpaid volunteers who devote countless hours of their time to these community activities.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

MEETINGS

All meetings of advisory boards and commissions are open to the general public and written notice is provided to the members and the press.  Each commission elects a Chairperson to preside at all meetings.  All boards and commissions must comply with the provisions of the Idaho Open Meeting Law, Chapter 23, Title 67 of the Idaho Code.

TERMS AND APPOINTMENT

The terms of the members of advisory boards and commissions shall be for three years, except for the Planning and Zoning Commission and Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board whose members serve for four-year terms, the Library Board of Trustees whose members serve for five-year terms and the Youth Advisory Commission, whose members serve for two years.  Unless otherwise provided by City resolution, all members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council.  A subcommittee, appointed by the Mayor, shall review shall review applications and may interview applicants if desired.  After review of the applications and/or interviews, the subcommittee makes recommendations to the Mayor for appointments to fill vacancies.

RESIDENCY

Unless otherwise provided, residency within the City of Lewiston is not a requirement for eligibility for membership on an advisory board or commission of the City.

CHAIRPERSON AND RULES OF CONDUCT

Each Board/Commission elects a chairperson to preside at all meetings.  Each advisory commission may, subject to the review of the City Council, adopt rules of conduct.  Meeting times and locations are at the discretion of each advisory board or commission.  Special meetings may be called as necessary

ABSENTEEISM

The City Code provides that any member who is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings or seven (7) of the last twelve (12) meetings may lose their membership.

COMPENSATION

Members serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed actual expenses upon prior approval by the City Manager.

COUNCIL LIAISONS

The City Council designates one of its own to serve as a Council Liaison.  They attend the meetings and participate, but do not vote.  They frequently provide verbal reports to the Council on the work of the commission.

STAFF LIAISON

The City Manager may appoint a member of his or her management staff to serve as the staff liaison.  They attend the meetings and participate, but do not vote.  They are responsible for preparing the agendas for the meeting, having meeting minutes prepared, and transmitting written recommendations to the City Council

FOCUS OF MISSION

1)  Board and Commission members will conduct their business with civility and respect for participants in order to promote an open and honest exchange of information.

2)  Advisory Board and Commission members will center their discussions and recommendations around the responsibilities of the Board or Commission and as outlined in the Advisory Board and Commission Handbook most generally related to policy, programming and planning for submittal as recommendations to the Lewiston City Council.

3) Advisory Board and Commission members will not become involved in administrative issues.

Code Board of Appeals

Staff Liaison: Building Official

Code Board of Appeals Responsibilities

The Code Board of Appeals is a technical review committee charged with Code review and developing recommendations on the Uniform Building, Electrical, Fire, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes, and hearing appeals.

Requirements

Members must be qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction.

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board (EMSAB)

Staff Liaison:  Fire Chief

EMSAB Responsibilities

The EMSAB shall serve to advise the City Council in matters affecting the provision of emergency and non-emergency ambulance services within the City and to review applications for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and make recommendations to the City Council regarding same. The EMSAB shall also annually review the overall performance of emergency and non-emergency ambulance service providers, ensure the highest quality of patient care, suggest methods to improve service delivery and minimize costs, provide recommendations to the City Council in the development of rules and policies governing providers, hear and investigate complaints against ambulance service providers, and perform such other emergency medical services related tasks as the City Council may designate.

Historic Preservation Commission

Staff Liaison:  City Planner

Historic Preservation Commission Responsibilities

By City Code, the Commission's responsibilities include the consideration of applicants for Certificates of Appropriateness and to conduct Public Hearings and make findings, determinations, and recommendations to the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the Historic District.

Requirements

Applicants must have a background or interest in the fields of history, architecture, urban planning, archaeology, or law; and to be property owners or representatives of property owners and of the general public.

Library Board

Staff Liaison:  Library Administrator

Library Board Responsibilities

The Library Board is responsible for hiring the Library Administrator. They also oversee and establish the governing policies for the Lewiston City Library. The Administrator answers to the Board in the day-to-day operations of the Library and the carrying out of these policies. The Administrator is reviewed by the Board on a regular basis.

Parks and Recreation Commission

Staff Liaison:  Parks & Recreation Director

Parks and Recreation Commission Responsibilities

By City Code, the Parks and Recreation Commission is an advisory commission responsible for recommending policy to the City Council for operation and maintenance of the City's parks, swimming pools, golf course, and recreation programs.

Planning and Zoning Commission

Staff Liaison:  Community Development Director

Planning and Zoning Commission Responsibilities

By City Code, the Commission's responsibilities include comprehensive planning, conducting public hearings on applications for Variance Permits, Conditional Use Permits, proposed zoning amendments, and land use classifications on lands within the City limits. The Commission also submits to the Council a report and recommendation on each zoning amendment following public hearing. Additionally, the Commission makes decision and land use recommendation within the Area of City Impact to the Board of County Commissioners.

Requirements

Applicants must be more than 18 years of age and a Lewiston resident having lived in Nez Perce County for at least two years prior to appointment.

Public Education & Government Channel Advisory Commission

Staff Liaison:  City Clerk

Public Education & Government Channel Advisory Commission Responsibilities:

The Public Education and Government Channel Advisory Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council regarding the operation of the public education and government channel by reviewing program material for compliance with the City's rules and regulations, evaluating existing programs and the needs and desires of the citizens of the City, reviewing rules and regulations for the channel's operation, and reviewing and outlining improvements and enhancements to the channel.  

Solid Waste Advisory Commission

Staff Liaison: Solid Waste Supervisor

Solid Waste Advisory Commission Responsibilities

By City Code, the responsibility of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission shall be to make recommendations to the City Council regarding solid waste issues affecting the City and any other issue assigned to the Commission by the Council.

Transportation Advisory Commission

Staff Liaison: City Engineer

Transportation Advisory Commission Responsibilities

The Transportation Advisory Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council concerning long-range transportation issues addressing:

1. Traffic patterns within the City;

2. Modes of transportation;

3. Bicycle and pedestrian travelways;

4. School traffic zones;

5. Traveler information and signage;

6. Travelways for commercial and residential development.

Urban Forestry/Cemetery Advisory Commission

Staff Liaison: Parks & Recreation Director

Urban Forestry/Cemetery Advisory Commission Responsibilities

By City Code, the Urban Forestry/Cemetery Advisory Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council regarding the development and implementation of a comprehensive urban forestry plan and to provide program advice to the City Council in order to maximize citizen benefits from the activity.  Additionally, the Commission is an advisory commission responsible for recommending policy to the City Council for operation, maintenance, beautification, improvement and development of the Normal Hill Cemetery.  

Youth Advisory Commission

Staff Liaison:  Parks & Recreation Director

Youth Advisory Commission Responsibilities: 

There are nine members and one alternate, all between the ages of 13 and 18, serving on the City's Youth Advisory Commission.  The Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) is charged with advising the City Council on youth programming for the City Parks and Recreation Department, youth facility needs, activities promoting positive asset building and preventing unhealthy, negative behaviors, activities strengthening families, activities, and programs inhibiting substance abuse, and any and all other items assigned by the City Council.