Cottonwood Shores to form zoning, parks commissions
The move came at Thursday’s regular meeting, where leaders OK’d the formation of a Planning and Zoning Commission and a Parks and Recreation Commission.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the council approved changes to plans for a $250,000 state sewer grant.
The meeting started several minutes late, as Mayor Sylvia Breen waited for at least three council members to constitute a quorum.
Breen said the two new commissions will hold advisory roles, investigating a number of issues and making recommendations to the council.
Each board will consist of five members and two alternates, City Administrator Hans Schneider said.
“We have several names to consider for nomination,” Schneider told the council. “If it should turn out that less than a full commission is nominated, the commission can still function with a three-member quorum.”
Nominated for the Planning and Zoning Commission are: John Parker, Pam Stevenson, Ken Nichols, Janet Taylor-Carusi, Corrine Apple, Marley Porter, Glen Stevenson and Carlos Naumann.
Under consideration for the Parks and Recreation Commission are: Porter, Elaine McDaniel, Taylor-Carusi, Bentley Martin, Gaspar Carraceheo, Janelle Long and Keith Patschke.
Council members said they were unfamiliar with many of the nominees, leading Councilman Donald Orr to suggest the two groups meet before official appointments are made.
“I would recommend we invite the candidates to attend the meeting where we vote (on the nominations),” Orr said. “That way, if one of us doesn’t know them, they can introduce themselves.”
Schneider agreed, suggesting the council also compile a list of priorities for both boards.
“Given the amount of work these commissions will be charged with, it’s appropriate they be given an idea of what is expected of them,” Councilman Ray Whitis said.
The council will ask each nominee for an informal resume to be examined before a meeting in January where leaders will vote on the board appointments.
In other action, the council approved amending a grant request to the state Office of Rural Community Affairs.
The city earlier this year received a $250,000 ORCA grant, which was earmarked for repairs to one of the city’s four sewer-lift stations while extending sewer services to 11 new customers.
Instead, the city will ask ORCA to amend the grant to allow local crews to repair all four of the sewer lift stations, which have sprung a number of leaks, officials said.
ORCA will have to re-qualify the city for the grant, though officials said they’re “99 percent sure” the city will still get the funding.
The council’s next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Pfiefer Civic Center, 4111 Cottonwood Drive.
chris@thepicayune.com