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Boards and Commissions
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In addition to hired staff and the Mayor and City Council, a number of citizen boards and commissions provide valuable input into the workings of Rowlett’s city government. Members of these boards and commissions are appointed by the City Council and serve strictly as volunteers. Members are normally appointed in October of each year. Rowlett citizens who are interested in serving on any of the boards or commissions listed below should contact the City Secretary at (972) 412-6109. The application for boards and commissions may be completed and submitted online. Eligibility requirements to serve on a board or commission are the same as for the city council: you must be 18 years of age, must be a registered voter of Rowlett, and may not owe any back property taxes.
DESCRIPTIONS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
(in alphabetical order, as of October 19, 2004)
1. Animal Shelter Advisory Committee
The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee is appointed to advise and assist the city in complying with state statutes regarding operation and maintenance of its animal shelter. The committee consists of seven members (who must by state statute include at least one licensed veterinarian, one city staff member, one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter, and one representative from an animal welfare agency), and 2 alternate members. The committee must by state law meet at least three times per year. The city’s staff liaison is as designated by the city manager. The committee is strictly advisory in nature to the city council.
2. Architectural Review Board
The Architectural Review Board shall review elevation plans and architectural features for compliance and compatibility with all city zoning districts and sub districts comprised therein. The recommendations made shall be forwarded to the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The board consists of seven members, of which at least one is a licensed architect and one licensed landscape architect.
3. Arts & Humanities Commission
a. The Arts & Humanities Commission is charged with encouraging the development of, an appreciation for, and participation in the arts and humanities in the City of Rowlett. This includes promoting the performing arts, visual arts, literature, and local culture and heritage, and the nurturing of local artists, performers, historians, writers, artisans, etc. The commission also advises and makes recommendations to the City Council on the award of city grants related to the arts.
b. The commission has seven members appointed to two-year, staggered terms. The staff liaison to this commission shall be as designated by the City Manager; a secretary is chosen from among commission members. The commission is advisory in nature, though one unique aspect of this commission is that it may from time to time apply for grants on behalf of the city, and also has a budget set each year by the City Council.
4. Board of Adjustment
a. The Board of Adjustment hears, among other things, requests for variances and special exceptions to the city's zoning ordinance. As authorized by local ordinance and state law, the board has the power to decide special exceptions pursuant to the terms and intent of the ordinance and to grant such variances that are not contrary to the public interest, and where a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance would result in an unnecessary hardship.
b. The board consists of five regular members and four alternate members, appointed to two-year staggered terms. The city's staff liaison is the chief building official, with assistance from the planning director or other staff as needed, and the board's secretary shall be a city employee designated by the city manager. The Board of Adjustment is a decision-making board, whose decisions may not be appealed to the City Council, but must instead be appealed in district court.
c. The members of the Board of Adjustment are subject to the City’s Ethics Ordinance, as discussed in Section 3. See Appendix for a copy of the Ethics Ordinance.
d. The Board of Adjustment shall serve as the Building Code Board of Review & Appeals.
e. In the Board of Adjustment’s role as the Building Code Board of Review & Appeals, this board makes recommendations on appeals under the city's building codes, hears appeals of decisions of the chief building official, and acts in an advisory capacity to the building official and the fire chief. This board also serves as the city's Sign Board of Appeals, in which capacity it hears requests for exceptions and/or variances concerning the city's sign ordinance. The board also serves as the city's Housing Advisory and Appeals Board, hearing and acting on appeals of the building official's actions relating to substandard housing and the abatement of dangerous buildings under the various building code ordinances.
f. Members shall consist of members who are qualified by experience and training to pass on the matters within its various jurisdictions. In its role as the Building Code Board of Review and Appeals, the Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial decision-making body.
5. Economic Development Advisory Board
a. This advisory board is charged with promoting the economic development of the community through the coordinated actions of the city and the Chamber of Commerce.
b. The board consists of seven members, four of whom are chosen by the City Council. These four include the Mayor, a city council member, and two citizens. The City Council member and Mayor shall be selected for one-year terms. The citizen members shall be selected for rotating two-year terms. The other three members are selected by the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce, also to two-year alternating terms; one of which shall be the current Chamber of Commerce chair (or the Chair’s designee if the Chair is unable to attend), and the other two shall be appointed by the Chamber on an annual basis. The City Manager, Chamber Executive Director, GISD staff member and GISD board member shall serve as the four ex-officio members. The City’s Economic Development Director is the staff liaison.
6. Golf Advisory Committee
This committee is to act in an advisory capacity to provide observations and make recommendations to the City Council regarding operations and maintenance of the municipal golf course. The committee consists of five members who shall be appointed based on their various experience, training or ability. The committee may make recommendations to City Council and City Manager concerning municipal golf course and clubhouse operations.
7. Library Advisory Board
This board serves to advise the city council and staff liaison on issues pertaining to the Rowlett Public Library. The board consists of five members, elected to two-year, staggered terms. The city’s staff liaison is the Director of Library Services; the board’s secretary is chosen by members from among its own membership. The Library Advisory Board is purely advisory in nature.
8. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
a. This board advises the City Council and staff in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation. This includes encouraging maintenance of facilities and grounds; encouraging recreational programs; making recommendations regarding expansion of parks facilities and programs; and recommending rules, regulations, and guidelines governing the use of parks, including the establishment of sport seasons, scheduling of activities, available services and other park and recreation related issues as directed by the City Council.
b. This board is also charged with making recommendations to the City to help protect and preserve the city’s environmental resources, through education and recommending environmental programs and services, in coordination with appropriate state and federal agencies. In addition, the board hears appeals of the decisions of the planning director in regard to enforcement of the city’s noise ordinance as well as actions by neighborhood services staff enforcing the city’s graffiti ordinance. The Board also serves as the city’s Tree Board, whose roles and responsibilities are described in the city’s tree preservation ordinance.
c. The board consists of nine members and 1 alternate member, appointed to two-year, staggered terms. At least one member should have extensive knowledge of and experience in the environmental field. The city’s staff liaison is the Director of Parks and Recreation; the secretary to the board is the parks department’s secretary. The board shall also elect a chair and vice-chair. The Parks & Recreation Board is a purely advisory body, except in its role as an appeals board for the noise and graffiti ordinances.
9. Planning & Zoning Commission
a. The Planning & Zoning Commission is responsible for the following: 1) processing and initiating zoning cases at the request of property owners and/or their representatives with respect to individual zoning cases; 2) initiation of zoning cases at the request or approval of the City Council; 3) hearing, recommending, and/or determining any matter relating to planning or subdivision control as may be specified by the subdivision ordinance or other applicable law; and 4) performing other such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the City Council.
b. The commission consists of seven members, appointed to two-year, staggered terms. The city’s staff liaison is the Director of Planning; the secretary to the board is the planning department secretary. Planning & Zoning is a decision-making commission, which conducts public hearings and grants final approval on some issues.
c. The members of the Planning and Zoning Commission are subject to the City’s Ethics Ordinance, as discussed in Section 3. See Appendix for a copy of the Ethics Ordinance.
10. Senior Advisory Board
a. The senior advisory board shall propose and make recommendations concerning matters of importance to the senior citizen population of the city. The senior advisory board is advisory in nature only, charges with evaluating relevant issues and submitting recommendations to the city council. The board shall include a chairperson and vice-chairperson, both elected annually from among its members. An advisor and staff liaison to the senior advisory board shall be appointed by the City Manager.
b. The board shall consist of seven voting members, each of whom shall be at least 55 years of age or older and a resident of the City, who shall be appointed by the city council to serve two year staggered terms or until their successors are duly appointed. The city council shall also appoint two alternates for a two year term who may serve in the place of a voting member due to the absence or disqualification of a voting member. Alternates shall meet the same qualifications as regular members. An alternate member, when serving in the place of a voting member, shall enjoy the same rights, privileges and responsibilities in their role as a voting member.
11. Traffic & Safety Advisory Committee
This committee is responsible for identifying, and reviewing citizen concerns regarding, traffic and other public safety issues. The committee consists of seven regular members and 2 alternate members, who are appointed by the City Council to staggered two-year terms. In addition, the City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Public Works Director (or their designees) all serve as non-voting members on the committee. The committee includes the positions of chair and vice chair elected from the members of the committee. The committee is strictly advisory in nature.
12. Youth Advisory Council
a. The Youth Advisory Council was created to provide participation by local youth in municipal government and to routinely report thereon to the City Council. The Youth Advisory Council is advisory in nature only, charged with evaluating relevant issues, and submitting recommendations to the City Council and others. The Youth Advisory Council shall include a chair and vice-chair, both elected annually from among its members. The Mayor or designee shall serve as an advisor. The City Manager may designate a staff liaison or coordinator to the Youth Advisory Council.
b. The Youth Advisory Council consists of seven youth regular members and one adult sponsor, and a varying number of alternate members. The adult sponsor is appointed by a vote of the City Council from among registered voters of the City of Rowlett. The adult sponsor shall serve after undergoing a background check conducted by the City. Each City Council member and the Mayor shall appoint one youth member, and the Mayor shall appoint any and all alternate members, as the Mayor deems appropriate. Terms of office shall be two years for the adult sponsor and staggered two-year and one-year terms for the youth members. Two-year terms should be filled by high school juniors and one-year terms should be filled by high school seniors.
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