12-18-2024 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT TO:Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council FROM:Ben Harrington, Community Development Director Laura Linehan, Community Relations Manager DATE:December 18, 2024 RE:2025 Planning Commission & Chair Appointments ACTION REQUESTED A motion to appoint Dawn Kulousek, and Leif Masrud to a 3-year term from 2025-2027 and appoint a Planning Commission Chair for 2025. BACKGROUND The terms of office for Leif Masrud and Dawn Kulousek will expire on December 31, 2024. Therefore, at this time, there are two- and three-year terms to fill. The city has received a letter requesting reappointment from Leif Masrud and Dawn Kulousek, and three new a p p l i c a t i o n s were received. Due to the application response, all those applying for reappointment were also reinterviewed. The three new applicants and two returning applicants were interviewed by a Planning Commission interview committee consisting of Mayor Tom Fischer, Council Member Chris Kwapick, Chair Taelor Johnson, and Community Development Director Ben Harrington. The interview committee was very impressed with all applicants and is ultimately recommending Dawn Kulousek for reappointment and Leif Masrud for reappointment. Dawn Kulousek has been a resident of Little Canada for nearly all of her life. Dawn is a network engineer who is interested in using her lifelong knowledge of the community to make a positive impact on the development within her city. This will be Dawn’s third term on the Planning Commisison. Leif Masrud has been a resident of Little Canada since 2020. Leif has a background in mechanical engineering, now works for a non-profit focused on youth development. Leif took over a term with two years making this appointment his first official term on the Planning Commission. Over the last two years, he has proven himself to be a prepared, engaged, and thoughtful commissioner. Please also note that City Code Chapter 202, Planning Commission, calls for the Mayor to make a recommendation for the Planning Commission Chair. Mayor Fischer will make that recommendation at Wednesday’s meeting, with the Council making the actual appointment. The Commission will select its Vice Chair at its first meeting in January. INTERVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The consensus of the interview committee is that Dawn Kulousek should be reappointed to a three-year term, and Leif Masrud should be reappointed to a three-year term.