Winona County names 18 citizens to comprehensive-plan steering committee; two commissioners to serve

The Winona County Board appointed 18 citizen members to a comprehensive-plan steering committee after reviewing 23 applicants and debating representation on the committee.

County planning staff told commissioners they were pleased with both the number and quality of applicants. The board discussed excluding a handful of applicants to avoid overrepresentation from particular constituencies; Commissioners settled on excluding Marcia Ratliff, Alex Herr and Don Evanston and later agreed to remove Nicholas (Nick) Lemmer and Katie Anthony from the shortlist, leaving 18 appointees.

Commissioner Daigle described the proposed exclusions as an effort to balance representation, noting the county already had city and transit representation and multiple current or former planning commissioners among applicants. Planning staff said they would work with appointed members and the consultant to find meeting times that accommodated farmers and other residents with varied schedules.

The board also appointed two county commissioners to the steering committee. Motion to appoint Commissioners Begley and Ward was made, seconded and approved. Planning staff said the steering committee would be advisory and that the board, as the ultimate decision-maker, benefits from having commissioner liaisons attend meetings to remain familiar with the committee’s work.

Staff said the steering committee will meet at least once during each of the five plan phases (at least five meetings) and that meetings will follow standard public-notice rules so members of the public may attend.

The appointments were approved by majority vote; staff said they would readdress vacancies if appointees later withdraw.