Boards and Committees
If a citizen wishes to participate directly in city government, one means is to serve on a local government commission, board, or advisory committee.
Commissions and boards sometimes are assigned significant powers of policy-making and/or administration. Advisory committees serve an important function in providing expertise in certain areas of city concern. Usually established at the request of the City Council, they may deal with issues and problems deemed worthy of special consideration and advisement.
Committees add another degree of local government responsiveness to the public interest. They provide an excellent opportunity for citizens to actively participate in the operation of their local government. As a result of the citizen involvement and participation, all the boards provide much needed assistance in assuring that actions taken by the City are not only in the best interest of the City but also have the support and input of its citizens.
Boards and Committees - Vacancies
Vacancies occur on boards and committees on a regular basis due to term limits, resignations or other circumstances. To view current vacancies and timelines/requirements for submitting applications, please visit our vacancy listings.
Board Meeting Schedules
Each board establishes its regular meeting times, whether they be monthly or quarterly. All currently scheduled meetings can be viewed on the Meeting Calendar. NOTE: Meeting dates and times are subject to change.
Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Reviews established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and adopted local comprehensive plans and make recommendations to encourage or facilitate affordable housing. There are 11 members on this Committee and they meet as needed at 5:30 p.m.
The Cape Coral Audit Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the City Auditor's Office on issues presented to the committee relating to the City's financial and other reporting practices; internal control; compliance with laws, regulations, and ethics; independent audit process; and special audit needs. There are five members on this Committee and they meet every other month on the second Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
The Cape Coral Charter School Governing Board is appointed by City Council and oversees the operations of the City’s charter school system. The eleven-member board includes seven voting members and a Council representative, as a voting member. The board meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m., with changes or additional meetings as necessary. For more information, please contact Kathleen Paul-Evans at (239) 424-6100 ext. 7404 or email Kathleen.Paul-Evans@capecharterschools.org
Hears code violation cases, and assesses fines, fees, and liens upon properties that do not comply with the Cape Coral Code of Ordinances. Violations are heard by a Special Master appointed by City Council, and meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers.
The five-member Board reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council concerning the distribution of CDBG money and SHIP. Their goal is to provide a fair and equitable distribution of funds to various non-profit organizations which benefit Cape Coral and its citizens. Their meetings are set by an Action Plan Schedule for the calendar year at 4:30 p.m., with additional meetings as necessary.
This board was formed for the enhancement and improvement of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district area and consists of five members. Meetings typically are held six times a year on the first Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. and are subject to cancellation.
The Grievance Committee has the power to order relief concerning whether a condition affecting an employee is unjust, inequitable, or a hindrance to the effective operation and is subject to certain limitations. The Committee shall consist of five persons over the age of 18 that are eligible for service on the Grievance Committee. No person on the Committee shall be related by marriage or consanguinity to the employee requesting the hearing. For full details pertaining to the Grievance Committee and its composition please see Chapter 2, Section 2-33.1 of the City Code on the Municode website.
This five-member board was created in 1975 through the Legislature of the State with the enactment of a bill creating and establishing the City of Cape Coral Health Facilities Authority. The Authority currently meets once a year to discuss the Gulf Coast Village bonds.
Hearing Examiner
The City of Cape Coral hereby created a Hearing Examiner with the authority to conduct quasi-judicial and other hearings in accordance with provisions of this code in an equitable, expeditious, and effective manner. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the City Council from enforcing any code by other means. The City of Cape Coral Land Development Code, Article 2, Chapter 2, Section 2.2.1. The meetings are scheduled on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Establish and maintain the policies and procedures for investing pension funds. They review income summaries to ensure investments are obtaining maximum income with minimal risk. They are ever vigilant of ways to provide enhanced benefits for City employees. Their goal is to ensure a healthy pension fund that will provide retirement benefits to all present and future City retirees. The Firefighters, Police Officers, and General Employees each act as a separate Board, each consisting of five members. They meet quarterly, holding their meetings in February, May, August, and November. Each Board may hold special meetings as deemed necessary.
Planning and Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency
Reviews all changes in Land Use and Land Use and Development Regulations and provides recommendations to City Council concerning land use matters. There are seven members and two alternates on this Commission, and they meet monthly on the first Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. unless there is no business to transact. Additional meetings are held as deemed necessary.
Review proposals, interview, rank, and negotiate a contract with those firms that are qualified for a particular type of City project or service. The Committee consists of six staff members and meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, with additional meetings as necessary.
This Commission is composed of the Mayor and four Council members, with one Council Member appointed as an alternate. They review and give staff direction on road projects. This commission meets monthly on the Wednesday prior to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (M.P.O.) at 9:00 a.m.
Cape Coral Youth Council
The Cape Coral Youth Council is comprised of 14 appointed high school students (Juniors and Seniors) that reside in the City of Cape Coral. This Council meets the second Friday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. City Council recently converted their scope from an advisory capacity to an "Information-Gathering and Fact Finding Authority." See 2-120.49 of the City Code of Ordinances for a complete detailed listing of their responsibilities.