CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CP 1-5

Category: General


Department:
City Clerk
TITLE:

Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Approved:  July 10, 2007


A.	Purpose

Pursuant to City Code § 2-157, to establish a standard policy 
for the City Council to make appointments to the official 
boards and commissions.  In the event of any inconsistency 
between the terms of this Policy and the terms of a City 
Code provision, the City Code shall govern.

B.	General Provisions

1.	By January 30th of each year the Mayor shall appoint 
three Council Members to serve on the City Council 
Subcommittee on Board and Commission 
Appointments.

2.	The Mayor shall appoint one member to serve as 
chair.

3.	The Council Subcommittee on Board and 
Commission Appointments shall determine how 
members are identified, selected, processed, trained 
and recognized for service.

4.	To the extent possible, the City’s Boards and 
Commissions membership shall be comprised of 
equal representation from all areas of the City.

5.	All official Advisory Boards, Commissions, Authorities, 
and Committees meet a minimum of once per year to 
elect officers and discuss or act on other issues as 
appropriate to the Public Body.    

C.	Applicability/Definition

For the purposes of this policy, the term board or 
commission shall include the appointed bodies identified in 
Peoria City Code §§ 2-150 and 2-152, as may be amended 
by Ordinance.
	



D.	Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment to a board or commission is 
identified in City Code.

E. 	Non-discrimination

The Council shall not discriminate on the basis of an 
applicant’s race, ethnic background, creed, age, sex, marital 
status, or sensory or physical handicap in the making of 
appointments.

F. 	Terms

Terms and term limitations for service on each board or 
commission are identified in City Code.

G. 	Concurrent Offices

A person shall serve on no more than one regular scheduled 
board at any time and no person shall serve on any regular 
scheduled board and unscheduled board where the duties 
are deemed to be incompatible by the City Council.

H. 	Attendance

1.	Boards and Commissions shall set policy and 
procedures through By-laws to act upon member 
absences.

2.	Three consecutive unexcused absences, or as 
determined by City Code or individual Board or 
Commission By-laws, may result in a 
recommendation to remove a member from a Board 
or Commission.

3.	It shall be the responsibility of the Staff Liaison 
Department to notify the member of the Board’s or 
Commission’s recommended action and to forward 
the recommendation to the City Council for the 
consideration.

4.	A vacancy upon a Board or Commission shall be 
deemed to have occurred by vote of the City Council 
by Resolution.

I.	Appointment/Reappointment

1.	An open competitive process will be used to fill any 
vacancies.  The City Council Subcommittee on Board 
and Commission Appointments will initiate an open 
and competitive application process and solicit 
applicants for the position(s).  All board members or 
commissioners completing their term and who are 
interested in reappointment will be required to go 
through the open competitive process.

2.	Alternate Board members, unless otherwise provided 
by code, shall not automatically succeed to the seat of 
a vacant board member, and will be required to go 
through the open competitive process required to fill 
the vacancy.

J.	Application Process

1.	Applicants as well as the incumbent shall be required 
to complete an application form provided for this 
purpose and to submit a completed application to the 
City Clerk by the specified recruitment deadline.  

	2.	Copies of all applications will be available to the City 
Council.  

3.	The Council Subcommittee may screen and interview 
applicants for specific Boards and Commissions prior 
to recommending the applicant for appointment or re-
appointment.  

	4.	Annual renewal and/or update of all applications on 
file are required.

K.	Recruitment

Openings for Board or Commission positions shall be 
advertised through press releases, the web page, as well as 
other means available and appropriate for this purpose.  
Target recruitment will occur at the discretion of the City 
Council Subcommittee.

L.	Interview Process

1.	In order for an applicant to be considered for 
appointment, the City Council may require that 
candidate interviews be conducted for certain Boards 
or Commissions as identified in the City Code. 


2.	At the discretion of the Council Subcommittee, Staff 
Liaisons may be asked to attend and participate in the 
interview process. The interviews are scheduled for 
and conducted at an open public meeting of the 
Council Subcommittee.

3.	As designated by the Council Subcommittee certain 
Boards or Commissions require only a review of the 
application on file.  The Subcommittee shall seek 
recommendations from the Staff Liaisons in regards 
to the applications on file.

M.   	Criteria for Appointment/Reappointment

	1.	As applicable, the Council Subcommittee will consider 
an applicant on the 	following criteria:

2.	Minimum Performance – attendance, basic 
understanding of the issues and participates in 
discussion. Has well thought out arguments, logically 
presented, and is a good advocate.  Shows ability to 
analyze complex issues and to judge issues on 
substantive grounds.  Understands difference 
between quasi-judicial and legislative matters.

3.	Personal Relations – has good understanding of 
relative roles of Council, Commissioners, and Staff, 
and is sensitive to Staff’s job.  Is generally respectful 
of other’s viewpoints.  Is a good team player, shows 
willingness to compromise, and works toward a 
solution without sacrificing his/her principles.

4.	Growth/improvement – has shown personal and or 
intellectual growth in the position.  Has shown 
improved performance, has taken advantage of 
continuing education opportunities, and attended 
available training.

5.	Public Benefit – provides a benefit to the commission 
as a body; provides or enhances balance on the 
commission geographically and/ or philosophically.

N.	 Appointment Process

1.	Upon completion of the interviews, the Subcommittee 
will discuss the qualifications of the candidates and 
make their recommendations.  

2.	The recommendations are forwarded to the Mayor 
and Council with the request that Council 
respond/comment in writing to the Mayor within 10 
days.

3.	Upon the Mayor receiving no adverse comments from 
a majority of Council members, the Council 
Subcommittee’s recommendations are made by 
Resolution to the full Council at the next scheduled 
Council Meeting.

4.	The prospective appointee shall be notified of the 
Council Meeting dates at which they shall be 
introduced to the Council and the public and 
presented a mounted certificate of appointment.  

O.	Training Process

1.	The City will provide Boards and Commissions Basic 
and Advanced Training and others as determined 
necessary to assist members in their appointed roles.

2.	Basic Training is required for all new members.  Staff 
Liaisons and Department Directors are also required 
to attend the basic training.  Chairs and Vice Chairs 
are encouraged to attend the Advanced Training.

3.	Basic and Advanced Training will be offered a 
minimum of one time per year.

P.	Loyalty Oath

1.	State Statute requires that the Loyalty Oath be taken 
by all appointed members no less than 24 hours prior 
to the first Board or Commission meeting.

2.	Newly elected/appointed members of the Public 
Safety Retirement Boards for Fire and Police must 
take the Loyalty Oath within 10 day following 
appointment.

3.	Staff Liaisons are responsible for obtaining the 
Loyalty Oaths, and ensuring the new member is 
sworn in as required by laws.

Q.	Vacancy/Resignation

Resignations must be submitted in writing and forwarded to 
the City Clerk’s Office.  All vacancies must be declared by an 
adopted Resolution of the City Council. 



R.       Service Recognition

An annual recognition event shall be held to honor all seated 
Board and Commission members for their service and 
dedication.  Out going members shall be presented an 
engraved service award plaque; Chairpersons will receive a 
plaque with a gavel signifying the designation.


APPROVED:

	/S/				
Bob Barrett, Mayor                                                                     


APPROVED AS TO FORM:

	/S/
Steve Kemp, City Attorney


Adopted: 10/02/02, CC #92-2R [Prior Numbering: CP 02-02]
Amended: 7/10/07, CC #SS3B
Old 02-02
 
 
 
 
Category: General		
Title: Appointment to Boards and Commissions
CP 1-5
Page 8 of 6

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