Greeley Appoints 11 Community Members to City Boards and Commissions
Greeley City Council appointed 11 community members to five advisory boards and commissions on November 4, filling key volunteer positions that provide policy guidance to city officials on issues ranging from public art to affordable housing.
The new appointees include Cheryl Lee and Molly McIntosh to the Greeley Art Commission; Dan Podell, Doran Azari, and Melissa Martinez to the Historic Preservation Commission; Deb Callies to the Housing Authority; Chuck Rehmer and Jaymi Anderson to the Housing for All Advisory Board; Cathy Salaymeh to the Union Colony Civic Center Advisory Board; and Emily Karowsky and Owen Harper to the Youth Commission.
Seven boards still have open positions, and Greeley officials are accepting applications until 8 a.m. on November 18 to fill single vacancies on the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee, Citizen Transportation Advisory Board, Commission on Disabilities, Greeley Urban Renewal Authority, and Stormwater Board. The Human Relations Commission has four open seats, and one Youth Commission position remains available.
Advisory Bodies Guide City Policy Development
Greeley's boards and commissions serve strictly advisory roles, making recommendations to City Council on policy matters within their subject areas, according to the Greeley Municipal Code. Final decisions on budgets, projects, and major policy changes rest with the elected City Council.
The Art Commission, established in 1975, advises on public art selection, placement, and maintenance. Members meet monthly to review and recommend public art projects and policies, with all recommendations forwarded to City Council for approval.
The Historic Preservation Commission, also dating to 1975, reviews matters related to historic property designation and alterations to historic structures. The commission meets monthly and has expanded its scope over the decades to include broader cultural heritage concerns.
The Greeley Housing Authority operates with greater autonomy than most boards, holding decision-making and budget authority for federal and local housing programs including public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and affordable housing initiatives. Established in 1950, the Housing Authority still requires final budget approval from City Council.
The Housing for All Advisory Board is among Greeley's newest advisory bodies, created in 2021 to guide affordable housing strategy and policy recommendations. The board meets quarterly to address housing equity issues facing Weld County residents.
Application Process Requires Greeley Residency
All applicants must be Greeley residents, with adult positions requiring applicants to be at least 18 years old. Youth Commission positions are available for residents aged 15 to 18.
The Commission on Disabilities requires one seat to be filled by a local employer or community member with specific disability advocacy experience, according to the commission's charter.
Applications must be submitted online through the city's boards and commissions website at greeleyco.gov/government/get-involved/boards-and-commissions.
City staff will conduct interviews during the week of December 1, with final appointments made by City Council at its December 16 meeting.
Terms Range from Two to Four Years
Standard term lengths vary by board, with most advisory positions carrying three-year terms. The Housing Authority and Greeley Urban Renewal Authority use four-year terms, while newer boards including the Housing for All Advisory Board and Youth Commission operate with two-year terms.
All boards use staggered terms to maintain continuity, preventing complete turnover of membership in any single year. Members can typically serve multiple consecutive terms.
The Youth Commission and Housing for All Advisory Board experience higher turnover rates with three to four vacancies annually due to shorter terms and changing youth participation. The Housing Authority and Greeley Urban Renewal Authority see lower turnover with vacancies occurring every two to three years.
City officials emphasized that board and commission service provides residents a direct voice in local government decision-making on specific policy areas. Meeting schedules vary from monthly to quarterly depending on the board.
Fort Collins is also recruiting for its 22 boards and commissions, with an open house scheduled for November 17 and applications accepted from December 1 through January 9. Loveland completed similar recruitment in October for 14 advisory boards with vacancies across planning, utilities, and cultural programs.
For more information about Greeley's boards and commissions, call 970-350-9740.