HCDC recommends shrinking membership to seven, approves staggered terms and asks council to remove absent commissioner

The Housing & Community Development Commission voted to recommend that City Council amend its bylaws to reduce the commission from nine members to seven and to adopt a staggered 2‑2‑3 term schedule for appointments beginning February 2025. At the same meeting the commission voted to recommend that the council discharge Commissioner Datta Balde for prolonged, unexplained absences and open the seat for appointment.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the change aims to reduce long-standing vacancy problems that have made reaching quorum difficult, shorten the appointment cycle and ease scheduling. Members said a smaller panel and staggered terms would make it easier to fill seats and maintain continuity in committee work.

The commission’s discussion began when staff introduced a memo proposing how to move from nine to seven members. Commissioners debated several transition options and ultimately supported a 2‑2‑3 stagger (two seats expiring in one year, two the next, three the following year) so that not all terms end at once. Staff noted one complicating factor: a council appointee already holds a term running through 2028, which affects how many appointments the council would need to make immediately. The commission recommended the staggered configuration, with implementation to start in February 2025; members said final timing and exact appointment mechanics are for City Council and the council’s rules committee to confirm.

The commission also voted to recommend that City Council discharge Commissioner Datta Balde. Commissioners said Balde was appointed the previous October, attended one meeting and has not responded to city outreach (mail and phone). Members reviewed the commission bylaws, which direct that three consecutive unexplained absences are grounds for a discharge recommendation. Commissioners asked staff to document the missed meetings and to include that documentation in the packet sent to City Council; staff said the council will place the discharge on its agenda and the commissioner would have an opportunity to appear before council to respond.

Commissioners used the conversation to raise related governance points: several members urged clearer attendance records that show canceled meetings and distinguish between canceled sessions and member absences; others recommended restoring an explicit excused/unexcused column or adding notes so the public and future reviewers can see whether a meeting was canceled for lack of quorum. Members also discussed how moving to seven members would make the commission’s size more consistent with other city commissions and possibly reduce long-term vacancies.

Staff updates and other business: City staff noted that it is National Community Development Week and highlighted materials on the impact of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds; the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) shelter and Iowa City projects were mentioned in a national CDBG impact report. Staff said the HCDC annual action plan schedule is delayed by federal budget timing and the commission may review allocations in June rather than May. Commissioners asked staff to invite Shelter House or other providers to present on low‑barrier temporary housing and homelessness data at a future meeting; members emphasized they do not favor punitive measures and want more information on outreach, services and counts before recommending policy changes.

Votes at a glance: - Recommendation to amend HCDC bylaws from a nine- to seven-member commission and recommend that change to City Council — outcome: approved (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as in favor). - Recommendation to adopt a 2‑2‑3 staggered appointment schedule beginning February 2025 (staff suggested this stagger) — outcome: approved (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as in favor). - Recommendation to City Council to discharge Commissioner Datta Balde for unexplained absences (staff reported attempts to contact the commissioner and cited multiple missed meetings) — outcome: approved (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as in favor).

What’s next: The commission asked staff to forward the bylaw amendment and the discharge recommendation to City Council (including documentation of missed meetings). Members also requested better attendance recordkeeping and asked staff to arrange a future presentation from homelessness service providers or shelter staff to inform potential policy recommendations.

Ending: There was no public comment at the meeting. After the staff and commissioner updates the commission adjourned.