Gilliam County planning commission retains Marta Michelo as chair; Gibb Wilkins named vice chair

Marta Michelo will continue as chair of the Gilliam County Planning Commission after members voted to retain her and name Gibb Wilkins vice chair at the body’s first meeting of the year.

The decision came after a motion to keep Michelo in the chair was made by Commissioner Erin Heidemann. Heidemann said, “I move that we retain Marta as our current chairman.” Gib Wilkins seconded the motion and members later amended it to include the vice chair appointment. The board recorded an affirmative voice vote and the chair declared, “Motion passed.” The transcript records only a two-word voice vote — “Aye. Aye.” — and does not list a roll-call tally by name.

The vote establishes leadership for the commission as it moves into a year of training, code and records review, and potential land-use applications. At the meeting the commission also noted it has one currently vacant commission seat; staff said the county will re-advertise the opening in coming weeks and encouraged potential candidates to apply.

Michelo and Wilkins were sworn into their roles without further procedural challenge, and commissioners discussed scheduling and meeting format going forward. The commission agreed to hold its next regularly scheduled meeting as a remote session on April 22 at 6:00 p.m., with the option to meet in person if an applicant requires an in-person hearing.

The commission’s short-term agenda items discussed at the meeting included commissioner training, review of the county comprehensive plan, updating fee schedules, and recruitment to fill the vacant seat.