The May 05, 2020, Planning Commission Meeting News!

The current Eureka Planning Commission met for the first time on
May 05, 2020, after the Town Board appointed Nancy Sauber, 
Julie Larson and William (Bill) Clancy as Commissioners.

Nominations were accepted for Planning Commission Chair
and Vice Chair.  Nancy Sauber and Julie Larson were nominated 
for the position of Chair.  Commissioner Larson declined.
Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to elect Commissioner Sauber as Chair. 
Four votes stated aye and  Commissioner Novacek voted nay. 
Congratulations, Commissioner Sauber.

Commissioner Randy Wood was nominated as Vice Chair. The
vote was taken and Commissioner Wood was elected.  
Congratulations, Commissioner Wood.

ZONING APPLICATIONS: Zoning questions on applications that 
need to be addressed were discussed. The applications should include
setbacks and the use so Permit fees can be charged appropriately.

GOVERNMENT TRAINING:  Chair Sauber encouraged all
Commissioners to enroll in classes offered by the Government
Training Services and other providers.  The classes give a basic
understanding of what government is all about, the history
of zoning, why Eureka has zoning and how the Planning
Commission interacts with the Town Board, etc.

MAT MANUALS: Chair Sauber asked if any of the Commissioners
were interested in an updated hard copy of the MAT (Minnesota
Association of Townships) Manual. The request needed to be submitted
to the Town Board for approval.  Four Commissioners requested a
hard copy of the Manual and Commissioner Novacek declined.

LIAISONS TO THE TOWN BOARD MEETINGS:  Chair Sauber
stated that it has been the past policy that each Commissioner
accept and act as liaison to report pertinent information to
the Supervisors at the Town Board meetings. Each Commissioner
has traditionally accepted 2 or 3 meetings as a liaison.

Commissioner Novacek stated he would gladly take 2 meetings
provided HE is the liaison. However he would NOT do so if the Chair
is there as well "watching over." Chair Sauber stated that that was 
his decision to make. 

Chair Sauber stated that she would never not be at the table if she is
attending a Board meeting.  She would always offer factual information
if the liaison did not clarify well enough. She stated that she would not sit by
and let mistakes be made. Then Chair Sauber stated she would beg the 
indulgence of other Commissioners to also feel free to add anything 
of importance.

When once again Chair Sauber asked Commissioner Novacek if he
would consider volunteering for any liaison dates he stated
"absolutely not."  



Commissioners Wood, Clancy and Larson all indicated that they were
appreciative of the Chair's presence and assistance when it was offered.
The Commissioners discussed who would be taking which months and their
responses are as follows: 

Commissioner Sauber - Will act as liaison to the July, October  and 
February Board meetings.

Commissioner Larson - Will act as liaison to the June, September,
December and March Board meetings.

Commissioner Wood - Will act as liaison to the May, November
and August Board meetings.

Commissioner Clancy - Will act as liaison to the January and
April Board meetings.

Thank you to the 4 Commissioners who "stepped up to the plate"
and fulfilled their obligation as Commissioners.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS:  Regular Planning
Commission meetings will be held the first Tuesday of every month
except for November.  Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day.
The Planning Commission meeting will be on Wednesday, November 4.
A vote was taken to approve the meeting dates. Four Commissioners
voted aye and Commissioner Novacek voted nay.