by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
As the new year draws near, the Sartell City Council has been trying to make sure all commissions and committees are fully staffed, and applications are now open for seats about to be vacated on the Sartell Planning Commission and the Sartell Economic Development Commission.
There will be two openings: one on the planning commission, another on the EDC.
The application period opened Nov. 15 and will close Tuesday, Nov. 29. The council plans to interview applicants, tentatively, Dec. 1, Dec. 6 or Dec. 7. Council approval of those chosen will happen at the Monday, Dec. 12, city-council meeting.
To obtain an application form, go to www.sartellmn.com under E-forms, or email anita@sartellmn.com, or stop at Sartell City Hall to get a paper application.
The planning commission consists of five Sartell residents appointed by the city council. It holds meetings the first Monday of every month or as needed. The planning commission serves as an advisory board and provides recommendations to the city council on the physical development of the city, as well as making recommendations on zoning matters.
The economic development commission consists of eight Sartell residents appointed by the city council. It holds meetings on the third Tuesday of every month or as needed. The EDC also serves as an advisory board to the city council on economic development issues.
Terms for both commissions are three years, with the option to be re-appointed for an additional two terms.
At the Nov. 14 council meeting, members approved applicant Tom Elness to fill out Ryan Fitzthum’s seat on the Sartell Planning Commission, which is due to expire Dec. 31, 2018. In the Nov. 8 general election, Fitzthum was one of two candidates elected to serve on the Sartell City Council, thus he resigned from the planning commission. The other is Mike Chisum.
The council also reappointed David Lindbloom to his position on the Sartell Park Commission, as well as Sonja Babich and Bill Worzala to their seats on the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Both terms will expire Dec. 31, 2019.
Some current members of various city commissions may choose not to apply for re-appointment by the end of this year. Anyone interested in serving should fill out an application in case there are openings.
The membership of the following commissions are these people (with the year of their terms’ expirations):
Planning Commission
Abby Legatt, 2019; Tom Elness and Gary Ormann, both 2018; Anna Gruber, 2017; and Dawn Moen, 2016.
Economic Development Commission
Ben Drewes, Mike Schoenecker, Bruce Stainbrook, Julie Whitney and Chad Zimmerman, all 2018; Jim Illies Jr. and Dawn Loberg, both 2017; Heladio Zavala, 2016.
Park Commission
Rachel Lolmasteymaugh, Dennis Molitor and Diane Schellinger, all 2018; Mike Burzette, 2017; and David Lindbloom, 2016.
CVB
The members of the Convention and Visitors Bureau are Sonja Babich and Bill Worzala, both 2019; Jon Erickson and Jason Peterson, both 2018; and Jason Mathiasen, Scott Widor and Brandon Testa, all 2017.