Boards & Commissions

Volunteer Application

If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please fill out this application and the City Clerk's Office will contact you. You can also print off the form (PDF) to fill out and return it to the City Clerk's Office. 

Terms & Vacancies

The City of St. Joseph's boards and commissions rely on voluntary service by citizens of St. Joseph. Each board and commission has specific prerequisites for membership.

Except as otherwise specifically provided by state law, the charter, or by ordinance of the city, all boards and commissions established shall consist of five members for a term of five years. No member of a board or commission who has served a full five-year term shall be eligible to immediately succeed himself.

Vacancies

Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any members whose terms become vacant. Members shall be residents of the city, be qualified voters in the city, shall reside in the city during their term of office, shall take the oath prescribed for city officials and shall serve without compensation.

Please call the city clerk's office at 816-271-4730 if you are interested in serving on any of these boards or commissions.

Appointment

Any member of the council may file the name of a candidate for appointment to a board or commission with the city clerk at least seven days prior to the next council meeting, at which the appointment is to be made. The city clerk shall immediately notify the remaining council members of such nominations. Voting shall be by roll call and the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the minutes by the city clerk. A majority vote of the entire council is required for appointment.

Removal

Members of boards and commissions, except as otherwise specifically provided by state law or this code, may be removed by a majority vote of the entire council, provided that any member so removed shall, if the member so requests, have a hearing by the council before such removal. The motion to remove shall be filed by any member of the council at least seven days prior to the next council meeting at which the removal is to be made. The request for hearing shall be filed by the affected board or commission member at least two days prior to the next council meeting at which the removal is to be made. Grounds for removal of members, although not deemed exclusive, may be that the member:

  • Lacks at any time during the member's term of appointment any qualifications for the board or commission membership prescribed by the charter or by law
  • Is absent from three consecutive meetings, regardless if the meetings are regularly scheduled or specially called

Powers

  • Except as otherwise provided by state law, the charter, or this code, all boards created pursuant to this division shall function in an advisory capacity only. Such boards may, from time to time, submit recommendations to the city manager and the council. The city manager shall be supplied with an information copy of any recommendations, which are directed to the council in writing.

Minutes

Except as otherwise provided by state law, the charter, or this code, all boards and commissions created pursuant to this division shall designate an individual to keep sufficiently detailed minutes of each meeting conducted by said board or commission. Said minutes shall be filed in the office of the city clerk within 30 days of the meeting to which they relate. The city clerk shall retain said minutes for a period of five years.