Boards and Commissions
Citizen involvement is essential for strong local governance. The City of Liberty promotes this involvement through numerous boards, commissions, task forces, and special projects/programs. The following is a listing of some of the various advisory boards and commissions that serve to support the Mayor, City Council and staff in carrying out the many programs and services offered by the city.
Board of Adjustments
Board of Appeals
Board of Ethics
Board of Utilities
Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee
Agendas
Meeting Minutes
Commission on Aging
Fair Housing and Rehabilitation Committee
Historic District Review Commission
Industrial Development Authority
Liberty Arts Commission
Liberty Housing Authority
Liberty Community Christmas Tree Advisory Commission
Liberty Preservation and Development Commission
Parks and Recreation Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
Public Facilities Authority
Residential Rental Occupancy Code Board of Appeals
Tax Increment Financing Commission
Tree Board
Board of Adjustments
The Board of Adjustments is a quasi-judicial board that convenes in a public meeting setting to consider applications of variations to Zoning Ordinance requirements or appeals to interpretations or enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance by City staff. The Board is empowered to direct the variance of certain zoning standards upon determination of unique and exceptional hardships particular to a specific property or situation. Decisions by the Board are considered final and may only be appealed to the Circuit Court. The Board is comprised of five regular members and three alternates appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
The Board meets periodically on an as-needed basis.
Board of Appeals
The purpose of the Board of Appeals is to provide reasonable interpretations of codes adopted. The board has the power to approve the use of alternative materials, equipment and types of construction, whenever in any specific case the board shall find and determine that the application of a general rule or regulation governing such use will, by reason of exceptional circumstances or conditions, constitute a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, and shall have the power to hear and render decisions on all appeals from the decisions of the building official. The board shall further be empowered to interpret the intent of the codes in specific cases and to authorize responsible, minimum variance from the literal provisions of the codes where it is determined that such variance is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in the codes with respect to quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety. The board has the power to revoke a license if it finds that the holder of such license has willfully violated the provision of the City Code or other ordinances pertaining to the work for which the license was issued. The Board meets on an as-needed basis.
Back to the Top
Board of Ethics
The mission of the Board of Ethics is the proper operation of a democratic government requiring that public officers be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made within the proper channels of government structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition of these goals, a code of ethics for all city officers was adopted. The purpose of the code is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all such officers serving the City, setting forth those acts or actions that are incompatible with the best interest of the City by directing disclosure of such officers of interest in matters affecting the City.
Board of Utilities
The Board of Utilities provides for citizen oversight and review of expenditures relating to the operation, maintenance and capital improvements to the City’s water and sewer systems. The major responsibilities of the Board include review of the annual budget, periodic reports of the financial condition, proposed capital improvements, and all matters of policy (including agreements, contracts and code revisions) for the water and sewer systems.
The Board is scheduled to meet quarterly.
Back to the Top
Commission on Aging
The purpose of the nine-member Commission on Aging is to foster the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system for older persons within the City, including but not limited to the following:
- Act as a sounding board and/or advocate for the needs and concerns of Liberty’s elderly.
- Address the transportation needs of local elderly.
- Develop an “information/referral” network including printed listings of local services and opportunities related to aging.
- Serve a coordinating role for various agencies and groups having contact or interest in aging services.
The Commission meets the third Tuesday of the first month of each quarter.
Fair Housing and Rehabilitation Committee
The purpose of the Committee is to promote and encourage harmonious relationships and practical cooperation among all groups. The Committee reviews housing discrimination complaints, makes recommendations regarding housing rehabilitation programs and may review applications from individual households wishing to receive rehabilitation loans or grants as they are available.
The Committee meets the last Tuesday of each month on an as needed basis.
Back to the Top
Historic District Review Commission
The function of the Historic District Review Commission (HDRC) is to oversee Liberty’s historic preservation program. The purpose of the program is essentially to identify and preserve distinctive and historic architectural features of the City. The principal responsibilities of the HDRC are to investigate, recommend and keep a register of properties designated as historic landmarks or districts; to provide assistance to property owners regarding the preservation or renovation or their buildings; and to inform and educate citizens of Liberty on their historic and architectural heritage. More routine duties of the HDRC are to review applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) so that established guidelines are followed regarding exterior alterations of historic buildings.
The Commission meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
Industrial Development Authority
The purpose of the Industrial Development Authority is to review and issue industrial revenue bonds for the purpose of paying any part of the cost necessary to promote commercial and industrial development.
The Authority conducts meets on an as needed basis.
Back to the Top
Liberty Housing Authority
The Liberty Housing Authority is authorized by the City Council, in accordance with state law, to make decent, safe and sanitary housing units affordable to low-income households. The Housing Authority Board employs an Executive Director and sets policies and procedures for the operation of the Authority. The Executive Director and staff is then responsible for administration of the Section 8 housing assistance, Family Self-Sufficiency, and other initiatives that may arise consistent with their housing goal.
The Authority meets the first Tuesday of each month.
Liberty Community Christmas Tree Advisory Commission
The purpose of the nine-member Community Christmas Tree Advisory Commission is to address the needs of disadvantaged persons of all ages and of all religious persuasions within the Liberty School District at Christmas time and, in the spirit of Christmas, at other times of the year as deemed necessary and appropriate. These include, but are not limited to, the following: provide food and toys to Liberty residents at Christmas; responsibly solicit and disperse monies and in-kind aid from individuals and businesses to meet the needs of the disadvantaged; and maximize community involvement in giving time and resources, especially during the Christmas season.
The meeting schedule is determined by the group at the first meeting of the year, generally in June.
Back to the Top
Liberty Preservation and Development Commission
The Preservation and Development Commission shall work to maintain the downtown area as a focal point of the community, educate the public about the community’s rich architectural, cultural, and historical resources, advise elected officials and citizens about the role of these resources in promoting the community, and be an advocate for the sustainable development of our community though active participation in historic preservation, economic development and public partnerships. The Commission is composed of seven members, all Liberty residents, who are recommended to membership by the Mayor, president of the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, or by a Commission nominating committee. Recommendations must be approved by a majority vote of the group.
The Commission meets at least once annually, or at the discretion of the Chairperson.
Parks and Recreation Board
This nine-member Advisory Board is appointed by the Mayor with approval of the City Council and has the responsibility of making recommendations to the City Council regarding the acquisition and development of public parks and recreation facilities as well as the provision of community recreation programs.
The Board meets the first Thursday of each month at the Liberty Community Center.
Back to the Top
Planning and Zoning Commission
The Planning and Zoning Commission is the primary advisory board to the Mayor and City Council on issues of land use and development in the City. The Commission reviews all land use applications in a public meeting setting and makes recommendations to the City Council based on adopted zoning regulations and comprehensive plan goals and objectives. The Commission also advised the City Council on land use and development policies affecting the growth of the community. The Commission is comprised of nine members appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
The Commission meets in regular session on the Tuesday preceding the third Monday each month. The Commission meets in Study Session on Tuesday following the first Monday each month.
Public Facilities Authority
The Public Facilities Authority (PFA) was established October 1988 for the purpose of issuing Leasehold Revenue Bonds for the Liberty Community Center. The PFA Board of Directors is comprised of seven members. The purpose of the Authority is to benefit the City by providing for the planning, development, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, extension, widening, repair, remodeling, renovation, and financing of public sites. The Authority is chartered as a corporation by the State of Missouri as a general not-for-profit organization (501c3). The Directors of the corporation serve for three-year terms and are elected on a staggered term basis.
An annual meeting of the PFA is required and is held on any day during the two-week period immediately following Thanksgiving. Other meetings are held as may be determined by the Board for the purpose of conducting business. Five days notice is required prior to any meeting.
Back to the Top
Residential Rental Occupancy Code Board of Appeals
The Residential Rental Occupancy Code (RROC) Board of Appeals meets on an as-needed basis to consider requests from persons subject to the requirements of the rental occupancy code for appropriate waivers from strict compliance and to provide for reasonable interpretations of the code standards. Any administrative staff decision may be appealed to the Board, and the Board may sustain, modify or withdraw the decision or grant an extension or variance as deemed reasonable, all subject to appropriate conditions and based on specific findings of fact.
The Board meets periodically on an as-needed basis.
Tax Increment Financing Commission
The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission designates redevelopment project areas and approves redevelopment plans in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing laws of the State. The Commission consists of six members, appointed by the City Council, who serve four-year staggered terms.
Back to the Top
Tree Board
The Liberty Tree Board’s mission is to develop and maintain the community’s trees and forest in a strong, healthy condition for today and the future. The board was formed in December 2004. The Tree Board is required to meet on a quarterly basis; however it typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month.
Click here to learn more about the Liberty Tree Board.
Back to the Top
