Section 221.9.8. Appeals.

Eligible applicants may informally appeal a decision of the director not to certify a cultural and entertainment district on any of the following bases:

        1.            Action was outside statutory authority;

        2.            Decision was influenced by a conflict of interest;

        3.            Action violated state law, administrative rule, or written policy;

        4.            Insufficient public notice was given; and

        5.            Alteration of the review process was detrimental to the applicant.

Informal appeals shall be submitted in writing within 15 days of the notice of denial. All informal appeals shall be directed to the Director, Department of Cultural Affairs, Historical Building, 600 East Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0290. All informal appeals shall contain the facts of the case, argument in favor of the appeal, and remedy sought.

The director shall consider and rule on the informal appeal after receiving all documentation from the appellant and shall notify the appellant in writing of the decision within 30 days. Decisions by the director may be appealed through the contested case process as set out in Iowa Code sections 17A.10 to 17A.19.