by TaLeiza Calloway – news@thenewsleaders.com
New faces could continue to fill seats on the St. Joseph Planning Commission after the recent announcement of Joe Dubel’s retirement. Dubel, an engineer, told the city this week he will vacate his seat on the planning commission.
St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz shared the update with city board and commission members during their annual meeting April 1 at city hall. Schultz said Dubel has residences in both St. Michael and St. Joseph and is in transition. Dubel’s term would have ended in January 2014.
The new vacancy is the fourth one to be filled this year. There were three open seats on the city’s planning commission earlier this year. Those seats are held by commission chairwoman Sister Kathleen Kalinowski and member Ross Rieke, whose terms expired in January; and one additional open seat that ends in 2014. Planning commission members serve for three years.
City council members approved two appointments to the planning commission in January. At that time the city’s planning commission welcomed back Rieke, who was reappointed, and gained new leadership with the addition of newcomers Chad Hausmann and Matt Killam.
The planning commission meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month at city hall. It’s an advisory board that manages city growth through implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance.
St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens said more information about how to apply for the open seat will soon be on the city’s website, www.cityofstjoseph.com. The deadline for applications has yet to be determined. Any questions about the position can also be answered by calling city hall. Plans are to fill the vacancy this month. Attempts to reach Dubel for comment were unsuccessful.