City of Bellaire Boards and Commission Summary

Charter, Ordinance or Resolution Governed Boards and Committees:

Bellaire Arts Commission (“Arts”)

On April 19, 2004, the Bellaire City Council approved the formation of a new City committee to be named the Bellaire Arts Commission with an effective date beginning on July 1, 2004. Previous Council action funded that committee’s civic art activities with $150,000. The charge of the Bellaire Arts Commission, comprised of seven individuals to be appointed by City Council, is to determine the means and manner of the future path for investing in public art, similar in nature to other cities’ Art in Public Places programs across the nation, but unique to the requirements of the City of Bellaire.  The Chair and Vice Chair are selected by members of the Arts Commission.  They meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, First Floor of City Hall, 7008 South Rice Avenue.  City Council Liaison – John Jeffery. 

There are currently 61 other communities with such programs in the State of Texas alone and hundreds nationally. 

Bellaire L.I.F.E. provides input from the community to the Senior Adult Services Department about services and programs to benefit senior adults.  Seven members are appointed to serve a two-year term, maximum three consecutive terms.  Terms are staggered and begin on July 1^st.  Meetings are held monthly and when called by the Department Director in the Senior Adult Services Center, 7008 South Rice Avenue.  This Board meets on the 4^th Thursday of each month at 12:30 p.m.  City Council Liaison – Mayor Cindy Siegel.  To Contact this Board, please email Staff Liaison – Jane Dembski, or Cheryl Bright

 State Law Governed Boards and Commissions:

Board of Adjustment (“BOA”) is responsible for considering applications for variances or special exceptions to the Zoning Code (Chapter 24 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Bellaire, Texas).    Landowners or their agents apply to the Building Official of the Department of Community Development. Formal dockets, which must be legally advertised, are scheduled for the BOA.  Meetings are held to hear testimony on the applications.    The BOA determines the outcome of all applications, which may only be appealed to a Harris County District Court.  The BOA consists of seven members (previously five regular and three alternate members) who serve staggered two-year terms, maximum three consecutive terms.  The BOA selects its own Chair and Vice Chair for a term of one year.  The BOA meets on the third Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, First Floor of City Hall, 7008 South Rice Avenue.  City Council Liaison –Peggy Faulk.  To Contact this Board, please email Liaison – Rebecca Eppler

Building and Standards Commission (“BSC”) is responsible for the review of administrative actions of the City Building Official, quasi-judicial enforcement of health and safety ordinances, variances from building codes, and the issuance of advisory opinions pertaining to building structures and construction codes.    The BSC consists of seven members (formerly five regular and three alternate members), all of whom serve two-year terms with staggered appointments, maximum three consecutive terms.  The Chair and Vice Chair are selected by the members of the BSC and serve for a one-year term.  The BSC meets, generally monthly, to hear cases or discuss other matters referred to it, on the 4^th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, First Floor of City Hall, 7008 South Rice Avenue.  City Council Liaison – Will Hickman.  To Contact this Commission, please email Staff Liaison – Lee Cabello

Charter, Ordinance or Resolution Governed Boards and Committees:

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (“PRAB”) is responsible for advising the Parks and Recreation Department regarding policy matters pertaining to City parks and recreation, but is responsible to the City Council.   It may undertake studies of the park facilities and public recreation programs for their improvement and may make recommendations to the City Council.  It consists of seven members who serve staggered two-year terms, maximum three consecutive terms.  The Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary are elected for one-year terms.  The PRAB meets on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Center, Meeting Room, 7008 Fifth Street.  City Council Liaison – Pat McLaughlan.  To Contact this Board, please email Staff Liaison - Jane Dembski

State Law Governed Boards and Commissions:

Planning and Zoning Commission (“PZC”) is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council regarding plans for the physical development of the City and for its approval of all plats and replats.  A Comprehensive Plan for the development and redevelopment of land in the City, most recently updated and adopted in 1996, serves as the basis for the regulations that govern the City’s land development and must be followed by the PZC in advisory recommendations to the City Council.  PZC consists of seven members who serve staggered two-year terms, maximum three consecutive terms.  The Chair and Vice Chair are selected by the members of PZC.  They meet on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, First Floor of City Hall, 7008 South Rice Avenue.  City Council Liaison – Phil Nauert.  To Contact this Commission, please email Staff Liaison –John McDonald – or Rebecca Eppler  

Charter, Ordinance or Resolution Governed Boards and Committees:

Recycling Committee (“RC”) is charged with creating programs and projects that educate the public on recycling trends and issues.  It assists at the City’s Recycling Center located in the 4400 block of Edith Street.  It consists of seven members appointed for staggered two-year terms, maximum three consecutive terms.  The RC elects a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary and meets on the 1^st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Rooms at Public Works, 4337 Edith Street.  City Council Liaison –Jim Avioli, Sr.  To Contact this Committee, please email Staff Liaison - Todd Gross

Recycling Hotline – 713-662-8173