Iowa City Climate Action Commission members elected Jamie Gade as chair and Zach Harrelson as vice chair and voted to change the commission’s regular monthly meeting time to 4 p.m., starting with the Feb. 3 meeting at Emma J. Havit Hall. Commissioners also approved minutes from the Dec. 2, 2024 meeting.

Nominations unfolded during the meeting. Commissioner Bridal Shetty nominated Jamie Gade for chair and moved the motion to vote; a second was recorded and the commission approved the motion by voice vote. Gade accepted the position. For vice chair, Zach Harrelson was nominated and commissioners moved to a voice vote; Harrelson was approved as vice chair.

On meeting time, commissioners discussed options including midday and evening starts to broaden public participation. After members voiced preferences and potential conflicts, Commissioner Carrelson moved to set the meeting start time at 4 p.m.; Commissioner Shetty seconded and the commission approved the change. The commission confirmed the new start time will begin Monday, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. at Emma J. Havit Hall; staff said they would update calendar invites and attach agenda packets before sending reminders.

The meeting also included the routine approval of minutes from the December 2024 meeting. The minutes motion was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Why this matters: leadership elections and a change to the meeting schedule affect how the commission organizes its work and how members of the public can attend and participate. Commissioners emphasized balancing member availability with public accessibility and discussed options for occasional alternate meeting times or listening sessions to reach people who cannot attend regular meetings.

The chair and vice chair will serve through the cycle noted by the commission; commissioners did not record a numeric roll‑call tally in the meeting transcript, and votes were approved by unanimous voice vote when taken.