Monona sustainability staff member Thor to leave; council approved creating full‑time planner role

Thor, the city staff member who has worked with the Monona Sustainability Committee, told the committee that they have submitted their resignation and that next Friday will be their last day. Thor thanked committee volunteers and cited accomplishments including work on the natural lawn ordinance.

Committee members noted that the City Council recently approved converting Thor’s half‑time position into a full‑time city planner. Several members and the city attorney observed that municipalities Monona’s size commonly have more than one planning staffer, and that the change should relieve capacity constraints. Committee members discussed whether the sustainability liaison will continue to come from the planning department and observed that roles and responsibilities still need to be worked out.

Committee members asked for a transition plan and said the new full‑time planner posting could happen quickly; Thor said the goal was to post the position by the end of the week. Multiple members emphasized that sustainability expertise is often included in planning curricula and expressed optimism that recruitment should be feasible.

The committee agreed that the sustainability liaison’s duties and frequency of committee meetings may be reconsidered as part of the staffing transition. Members asked that staff and the mayor work with committee chairs to develop responsibilities and that a written transition plan be included in Thor’s handoff materials.

The committee did not take a separate formal vote on the staffing changes during the meeting; the Council action to convert the position was described as already approved.