Schwab resigns as planning commission chairman

By SUSAN BERG

Staff writer

A special meeting was called Monday afternoon by Marion City Council.

One of the primary items on the agenda was a resolution for removal of members from the city’s planning commission.

The resolution, which was read by mayor Mary Olson, stated that the city council “may remove members of the planning commission at any time for any cause tending to adversely affect the public interest.”

The process for removing a member also was read by Olson.

“The existence of cause shall be discussed by the council in executive session with the city attorney and the determination of removal shall be by vote in public session declaring a vacancy in the position without a statement of cause.”

The resolution was unanimously adopted by the council.

The council did not elaborate about what prompted its action but the Marion County Record was notified Friday by planning commission chairman Roger Schwab that he had resigned from his position. A letter was given to the council, Schwab said, but the council did not address the letter at Monday’s meeting.

In its next action, the council appointed Margo Yates to fill an open position on the planning commission. Yates does not live within the city limits but does live within a three-mile radius of the city. She also is the secretary for the county’s planning commission.

In other business:

• The council gave its continued support to the city’s neighborhood revitalization program through completion in 2012. A review was made of the program by city officials and asked for direction from the council. Since the program was renewed in 2007, the former Elgin Apartment House, TC’s What-Not-Shop, and SherBowl Lanes have taken advantage of the tax rebates for improvements.
• A 20-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege was called with city attorney Dan Baldwin and city administrator David Mayfield in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no action taken.
• The next regular council meeting is at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the city building.