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Community Development Department Boards and Commissions and Opportunities for Public Involvement By Charles Bloom November 2012 The Community Development Department (CDD) is responsible for the physical development of the City as well as providing support to the City Council, and to many of the City’s appointed boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Committee, Urban System Advisory Committee, Traffic Commission, Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals, and Board of Health. Citizens are urged to get involved with the City by applying to serve as a volunteer on boards and commissions. In doing so, citizens can provide input on city policies and help shape the city and its government. Many Boards and Commissions listed below have vacancies and citizens are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found at the following link: http://cityoflaramie.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/94. Please contact the City Manager’s office at 721-5226 with any questions. Boards and Commissions the Community Development Department supports are described below. Board of Health: The Board of Health consists of five people appointed by the City Council for terms of five years. The Board of Health sets rules and regulations governing their own affairs, as well as the duties of the City of Laramie Environmental Health Specialist. They also set rules and regulations concerning the control of communicable diseases. The Board requires that one board member be a medical doctor and one be a dental surgeon. Meetings are the third Thursday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at the City Annex building, located at 405 Grand Avenue. Environmental Advisory Committee: The Environmental Advisory Committee consists of seven persons appointed by either the City Council or the Albany County Board of Commissioners to terms of three years. The committee exists to analyze assigned issues, receive and analyze citizen concerns and complaints, formulate options, and advise the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners on environmental issues. The City and County both support and have liaisons to this Committee. Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each even-numbered month at the City Annex building, located at 405 Grand Avenue. Planning Commission: The Planning Commission consists of seven people, appointed by the City Council for terms of three years. The Planning Commission reviews and makes recommendations to City Council on major land-development proposals submitted to the City by developers, including zoning changes, Comprehensive Plan amendments, vacation (abandonment) of public streets and alleys, and major subdivision plats. The Planning Commission is the decision making body for Conditional Use Permits and serves as the Board of Nuisance Appeals, the Board of Adjustment and the Solar Access Committee. The Commission also advises the City Council regarding urban planning and land use studies, and related policy matters. Meetings are held at 4:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month in City Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 406 ---PAGE BREAK--- Community Development Department Boards and Commissions and Opportunities for Public Involvement By Charles Bloom November 2012 Ivinson Street. Traffic Commission: The Traffic Commission consists of seven people, appointed by the City Council for terms of three years. The Traffic Commission decides matters relating to traffic control, such as speed limits and on-street parking locations, and prepares rules and regulations affecting traffic on local streets. The Traffic Commission meetings are at 7:00 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the City Annex Conference room at the City Annex building, located at 405 Grand Avenue. Urban Systems Advisory Committee: The Urban Systems Advisory Committee consists of people appointed by City Council, the Board of County Commissioners, the Wyoming Department of Transportation, and the University of Wyoming, for terms of varying length. The Urban Systems Advisory Committee addresses planning and extension of primary roadways through the Major Street and Highway Plan, inside and outside the City's corporate boundaries. The Committee also makes recommendations regarding cooperative planning procedures for travel analysis and project selection for the Urban System Program as administered by WYDOT. Meetings are held at 1:30 p.m. on an as-needed basis, typically once or twice a year. The next meeting is December 12, 2012 at the Laramie Recreation Center, located at 920 Boulder Drive. Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals: The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals hears appeals on decisions made by the City building official or City Fire marshall relating to application and interpretation of Fire and Building Codes. The Board determines suitability of alternative materials and types of construction and provides interpretation of Fire Code provisions. Members are expected to have a background in the building trades. Meetings are held on an as-needed basis. For more information, contact: Community Development Department [PHONE REDACTED]