Storm Lake Mayor Meg McKeon during the January 19 council meeting proposed the creation of a Mayor’s Civic Leadership Advisory Committee. The committee is intended to spur more involvement in community leadership. The council approved unanimously.

  The ad hoc committee will offer guidance and suggestions to the mayor, “to help ensure both the mayor and the City stay attentive to the needs of all residents, encourage growth and actively support development of our future leaders,” Mayor McKeon explained.

  Members will be appointed at a later date, and will meet at least quarterly. The members will serve three-year staggered terms.

   Proposing the new committee is one of Mayor McKeon’s first acts after taking office January 1.

  “I believe that the future of Storm Lake rests with more people being involved in our civic leadership, and I’m trying to find a way to encourage people who may be hesitant to run for office or hesitant to speak at city council meetings to find a safe place to come and share their ideas,” the mayor said of the effort. The committee will especially be aimed to share their vision for City of Storm Lake five, ten and fifteen years into the future, the mayor noted, reflecting members’ personal decisions to continue making the community their home.

  Also at the Jan. 19 council meeting, Mayor McKeon nominated Councilperson Maggie Martinez to join the Lake Improvement Commission. McKeon had served on that commission as a council member representing the City. She will continue on the LIC as mayor, and Councilperson Martinez will assume the councilperson’s seat on the commission.