City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Department of Animal Control

Note: (some boards/commissions have a separate website. Please click above for description of those not included below.)

Term lengths may vary to correspond with a general citywide June 30 term expiration date, as well as to ensure appropriate staggering of terms across years. All appointments are made by the Mayor and approved by City Council resolution unless otherwise noted.

Airport Zoning Commission
The sole duty of the Airport Zoning Commission is to make recommendations concerning the adoption or amendment of Airport Zoning Regulations at The Eastern Iowa Airport. The Commission meets only when necessary and consists of five members. Time commitment varies on the commission, depending on number of meetings. Two members are appointed by the City Council of Cedar Rapids, two members by the Linn County Board of Supervisors and the fifth member will be appointed jointly by the existing four members to act as Chairperson. The terms of these individuals will be a six-year term and will follow the fiscal year. Members do not have to be citizens of Cedar Rapids.
Staff contact: Dan Mann or Pam Hinman – 362-3131

Assessors Examining Board
Pursuant to 441.3 of the Code of Iowa, the examining board consists of three non-compensated members who serve six-year terms. In the event that the city assessor's position becomes vacant, and upon request of the Cedar Rapids Conference Board, the examining board will meet to consider eligible candidates. A recommendation will then be given to the conference board regarding a possible appointment. Each governing unit of the Cedar Rapids Conference Board appoints a non-conference board member to the examining board.
Staff contact: Scott Labus – 286-5888

Board of Review
The Board of Review is an independent Board established by the Code of Iowa and appointed by the Assessor's Conference Board. The purpose of the Board is to review appeals to real estate valuations established for property tax purposes. This Board is required to meet during the month of May each year, but meetings may be extended to as late as July 15. During the odd numbered years, if an equalization order is received, the Board will also meet between October 16 and November 15. The workload can vary from year to year, but the board members must be prepared to devote whatever time may be necessary to review all valuation protests and listen to all oral hearings. The Board has five members who serve six-year terms, but no more than two members may be of the same profession. All members must be actively involved in their profession. One must be a real estate broker and one must be an architect or experienced in the building and construction field. An understanding of the real estate market, construction costs, and real estate investment is vital to serving on this board. Members of the Board currently receive $7,500.00 per year to serve on the Board. The powers, duties, and requirements of the Board of Review are described under Chapter 441.31 through 441.37 of the Code of Iowa.
Staff contact: Rick Ellars – 286-5888

Building Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor for terms of three years. The Board hears appeals for interpretations or modifications of the building code made by City Building inspectors and/or Trades & Building Manager during the plans review process. They also have the power to grant or deny variances as considered appropriated. The Board usually meets six to 12 times a year for one to two hours, if there are no appeals requested/filed there is no meeting. Payment as follows must be paid when application is filed: Single Family Dwelling - $25.00, Successive Applications - $5.00; All other uses & structures $75.00, Successive Applications - $10.00 Members must be qualified by experience and training to act upon matters pertaining to building construction. Members of board must be either living or working in the City of Cedar Rapids.
Staff contact: Lyn Wedemeier – 286-5831

Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission consists of three members appointed by the Mayor for terms of six years. The Commission oversees the testing, hiring, and appeal of discipline for police officers, firefighters, building inspectors, and airport security personnel. The Civil Service Commission is established by state law and must follow guidelines and mandates set forth in that law. The Commission meets as needed for openings in civil service positions for the City of Cedar Rapids. Whenever recruitment takes place for these positions, a two-day time commitment is involved for oral interviews and test scoring.
Staff contact: Donna Lown, 286-5111

Crime Stoppers Board
The Crime Stoppers Board consists of 11 members appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years. The Board reviews calls received on the Crime Stoppers Hotline, determining if a reward should be given. These calls pertain to criminal activity and are viewed as confidential from the general public. The Board also brainstorms and works on various projects to educate and promote the public on Crime Stoppers. The Crime Stoppers Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 3:30 PM at the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Anyone interested in serving on the Board should be aware that a local background check will be done as the information that they may receive is of a sensitive nature. City residency is required.
Staff contact: Sgt. Cristy Hamblin- 286-5439

Electrical Board for Licensing and Appeals
The Electrical Board for Licensing and of Appeals consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor for terms of three years. The Electrical Board for Licensing and of Appeals hears appeals for interpretations or modifications of the electrical code and grants or denies variances as appropriate. The Board also considers the use of alternate materials and methods of construction for electrical work and makes recommendations to the City Council for improving the code. The Board usually meets three to four times a year for one and a half to two hours. Two members must be electrical contractors, one must be a working electrician, one must be from a local electrical power provider, one must be an electrical engineer, one must be from the Fire department, and one must be engaged in electrical maintenance at a manufacturing plant. If there are no appeals requested/filed there is no meeting. Payment, as follows, must be paid when application is filed: All types of uses or structures $75.00, Successive Applications - $10.00.
Staff contact: Lyn Wedemeier – 286-5831

Enterprise Zone Commission
The City’s State approved Enterprise Zone Commission consists of nine members appointed by the council who serve without specified terms. The Commission has full power and authority to receive and evaluate applications from qualified businesses and housing developers with projects located in the zone that need assistance through the provision of economic development incentives. The Commission will review applications to ensure all requirements are satisfied. The Commission may either approve or disapprove an application but it may not alter the amount of property tax exemption to be provided, (if any), as determined separately by the City Council. An approved application is conveyed by the Commission to the Iowa Department of Economic Development for disposition. Membership on the Commission comprises the following: one representative from an international labor organization, one member with economic development expertise selected by the Iowa Department of Economic Development, one representative of the City Council, one member of the local community college board of directors, one member of the City Planning and Zoning Commission and one representative of the local workforce development center. An additional three members are selected by those above for additional appointment, with one specifically to be a representative (resident) of the City's federally qualified Empowerment Zone area. Meetings are held as necessary, to be convened (as practicable) within ten work days of receipt of a qualified business application. The anticipated monthly time commitment is approximately one hour per month, as meetings are few.
Staff contact: Richard Luther – 286-5046

Hotel/Motel Allocation Committee
The Hotel-Motel Committee is responsible for the allocation of the budgeted amount of hotel-motel franchise revenues collected by the city. The Committee reviews the applications for funding submitted by non-profits that offer cultural, recreation, convention or entertainment to Cedar Rapids. The Committee meets approximately five times during the months of November through January, and may be asked to attend additional meetings at the City Council’s request.
Staff contact: Sue Vavroch – 286-5004

Housing Board of Appeals
The Housing Board of Appeals consists of seven members, appointed by the Mayor for terms of three years. The Board hears appeals to written notices or orders made by housing inspectors in their enforcement of the Housing Code. The Board may grant or deny variance requests or grant or deny appeals as appropriate. The Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30, unless there are no appeals. Emergency meetings are usually held once or twice a year and consist of someone wanting to stay in a property after it’s been placarded – deemed unsafe/unsanitary living conditions. Meetings will usually last one hour. The approximate time commitment one could expect on the Board is around one hour per month. There are no special qualifications for membership except residency in Cedar Rapids. Categories of experience include but are not limited to: landlord, manager, realtor, lawyer, fire inspector, contractor, maintenance person, renter and appraiser.
Staff contact: Jim Thatcher– 286-5831

Mechanical Board of Licensing and Appeals
The Mechanical Board of Appeals consists of five members appointed by the Mayor for terms of three years. The Board hears appeals for interpretations and modifications of the mechanical code, made by City inspectors and grants or denies variances as appropriate. The Board also considers the use of alternate materials and methods of construction for mechanical work and makes recommendations to the City Council for improving the code. The Board usually meets three to four times a year for one to two hours. The number of appeals filed will determine meeting frequency. Three members must be licensed mechanical contractors, one must be a practicing mechanical engineer and one must be a practicing architect. If there are no appeals requested/filed there is no meeting. Payment, as follows, must be paid when application is filed: All types of uses or structures $75.00, Successive Applications - $10.00. Members must have been engaged in the profession of their primary interest for five years in Cedar Rapids, immediately prior to their appointment.
Staff contact: Lyn Wedemeier – 286-5831

Parking Violations Administrative Review Panel
The Parking Violations Administrative Review Panel consists of three members: one member from the Parking Division; one member from the Police Department; and one public member appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. There are no required term lengths. Members continue to serve until a replacement is requested (or necessary) and a replacement appointment is made. The Panel’s duty is to objectively review each violation appeal and then determine whether to dismiss or not dismiss each violation. The Panel meets the third Wednesday of each month in the main conference room of the Cedar Rapids Police Department located at 505 1st Street SW. The meetings begin at 8:30 AM and last approximately one hour. The total estimated monthly time commitment including meeting is approximately two hours.
Staff contacts: Doug Forbes, Parking Manager – 286-5512 or Mary Latuska, Parking Operations Supervisor – 286-5503

Plumbing Board of Appeals
The Plumbing Board of Appeals consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor for terms of three years. The Board hears appeals to interpretations or modifications of the plumbing code and grants or denies variances as appropriate. The Board also considers the use of alternate materials and methods of construction for plumbing work and makes recommendations to the City Council for improving the code. The Board usually meets four to six times per year for approximately two hours each time. Two members must be master plumbers, two must be journeyman plumbers, one must be a mechanical engineer, one must be an architect and one is a member at large with no requirements. If there are no appeals requested/filed there is no meeting. Payment, as follows, must be paid when application is filed: All types of uses or structures $75.00, Successive Applications - $10.00. Work or residency in the City of Cedar Rapids is required.
Staff contact: Lyn Wedemeier - 286-5831

Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District Commission (SSMID)
The Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District Commission consists of 14 members appointed by the Mayor for terms of three years. The Commission’s objectives are economic development, communications and advocacy, parking management and capital improvements within the district. By ordinance, the district is in place from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2017 and includes properties in an area roughly bordered by A Avenue NE, Sixth Street SE, Eighth Avenue SE and Third Street SW. For a map of the district, go to www.downtowncr.org. The Commission shall perform those duties and functions associated with and necessary for the operation, supervision, maintenance and management of the district. The Commission may make rules and regulations as necessary and appropriate relating to the management and operation of the district. Members must be a downtown property owner or a designated representative of one. The Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District Commission meets quarterly with meeting times and locations posted in advance at City Hall and the Downtown District offices.
Staff contact: Doug Neumann, President/CEO of the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, 398-0449