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City of Goshen, IN

Boards & Commissions

Volunteers Enhancing Goshen's Quality of Life

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Boards & Commissions

All Boards and Commission meetings are open to the public and held in the Council Chambers inside the Police & Courts Building, 111 E. Jefferson St. For a full schedule, visit the Goshen Meetings & Events Calendar.

Meetings & Events Calendar

If you’re interested in serving on one of Goshen’s boards or commissions, you can apply for an appointment by filling out the application form.

Apply Here

Overview

Goshen’s boards & commissions, primarily composed of dedicated volunteers, play a vital role in enhancing the community’s strength and efficiency. These groups address a wide range of issues, from urban planning to public safety, ensuring that diverse community needs are met. Their commitment fosters civic engagement and contributes significantly to Goshen’s quality of life.

Starting in January 2025, all boards & commissions will meet at Council Chambers inside the Goshen Police & Courts Building, 111 E. Jefferson St.

City Council

Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month – unless otherwise noted – at 6 p.m.

  • Brett Weddell (Republican) – President
  • Donald Riegsecker (Republican) – Vice President
  • Doug Nisley (Republican)
  • Matt Schrock (Republican)
  • Megan Peel (Democrat)
  • Linda Gerber (Democrat)
  • Phil Lederach (Democrat)
  • Youth Advisor: Deudiel Arista-Garcia (6/26 – 5/27)

Role: The legislative body serves four-year elected terms and is responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, and policies to govern the city. The next municipal election is March (primary) and November (general) 2027.

Visit the main Goshen City Council page to learn more about the council and ways to contact its members.

Board of Public Works & Safety

The Board meets every Thursday (claims only on the third Thursday of each month) at 4 p.m.

  • Mayor Gina Leichty
  • Michael Landis, Mayor Appointee (First appointed: August 2000)
  • Mary Nichols, Mayor Appointee (First appointed: November 2019)
  • Barb Swartley, Mayor Appointee (First appointed: May 2021)
  • Orv Myers, Mayor Appointee (First appointed: October 2023)
  • Staff Support: Dustin Sailor, Director of Public Works; Bodie Stegelmann, City Attorney; Fire Chief Anthony Powell; and Police Chief José Miller
  • City Council Liaisons: Don Riegsecker, Linda Gerber

Role: Oversees the city’s daily operations, including public works, safety, and infrastructure projects. Annual terms appointed by the Mayor.

Visit the main Board of Public Works & Safety page to learn more.

Redevelopment Commission

Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m.

  • Brian Garber, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/26)
  • Jonathan Graber, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/26)
  • Colin Yoder, Council Appointee (1/26 – 12/26)
  • Megan Hessl, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/26)
  • Brett Weddell, Council Appointee (1/26 – 12/26)
  • Bradd Weddell, Non-voting School Board Liaison appointed by Council (1/26 – 12/27)
  • Staff Liaison: Becky Hutsell, Redevelopment Director

Role: Acts as a catalyst for new development in targeted areas through real estate acquisition, site preparation, and infrastructure provision. Appointed annually by the Mayor and City Council. School Board Liason is a two-year appointment.

Visit the main Redevelopment Commission page to learn more.

Plan Commission

Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

  • VACANT, Board of Works Appointee
  • Rolando Ortiz, Mayor Appointee (1/23 – 12/26)
  • Tom Holtzinger, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/29)
  • Richard Worsham, Mayor Appointee (1/25 – 12/28)
  • Brad Minnick, City Civil Engineer, Statutory Appointment, Ongoing Term
  • Aracelia Manriquez, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • Hesston Lauver, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/29)
  • James Wellington, Park Board Appointee (1/23 – 12/26)
  • Doug Nisley, Council Liaison (1/24 – 12/27)

Role: Guides the city’s growth and development by reviewing and approving land use plans and zoning changes. Four-year terms.

Visit the main Plan Commission page to learn more.

Board of Zoning Appeals

Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

  • Tom Holtzinger, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/29)*
  • Lee Rohn, Council Appointee (1/25 – 12/28)
  • Hesston Lauver, Plan Commission Appointee (1/26 – 12/29)*
  • James Loewen, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • Matthew Fisher, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • Youth Advisor: Itzel Perez (6/26 – 5/27)

Role: Hears and decides on appeals regarding zoning decisions, ensuring fair application of zoning laws. Four-year terms.

* Member of the City of Goshen Plan Commission

Visit the main Board of Zoning Appeals page to learn more.

Board of Building Appeals

Meetings held as necessary.

  • Fire Chief Anthony Powell, Mayor Appointee (11/24 – 12/26)
  • Vacant, Council Appointee
  • Vacant, Mayor Appointee
  • Vacant, Mayor Appointee
  • Vacant, Council Appointee
  • Council Liaison: Doug Nisley and Phil Lederach
  • Staff Support: Myron Grise, Building Commissioner

Role: Reviews appeals related to interpretation of building codes and construction standards, ensuring safety and compliance.

Board of Aviation Commissioners

Meetings are held the Third Monday of each month at 2 p.m.

  • Roger Yoder, Mayor Appointee (1/22 – 12/25)
  • Patty Morgan, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • Dennis Richmond, Mayor Appointee (1/23 – 12/26)
  • Steve Johnson, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • Jeff Hartzler, Mayor Appointee (1/22 – 12/25)
  • Youth Advisor: Emily Smith (6/26 – 5/27)
  • Staff Liaison: Randy Sharkey, Airport Manager
  • Council Liaison: Phil Lederach 

Role: Oversees the management and development of the Goshen Municipal Airport. Four-year terms

Visit the main Board of Aviation page to learn more.

Community Relations Commission

Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

  • Eman Monge, Council Appointee (1/25 – 12/27)
  • Lori Copsey, Council Appointee (1/25 – 12/27)
  • Angie Wentz, Mayor Appointee (1/25 – 12/27)
  • Tim Swartzentruber, Mayor Appointee (1/25 – 12/25)
  • John Dolezal, Mayor Appointee (1/25 – 12/27)
  • Lauren Lehman, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/28)
  • Vacant, Council Appointee
  • City Council Liaison: Phil Lederach
  • Staff Liaisons: Michael Wanbaugh, Director of Adminstrative Affairs and Teresa Cummings, Community Development Specialist

Role: Enhances Goshen’s quality of life by promoting inclusivity, addressing discrimination, and fostering community engagement. Three-year terms.

Visit the main Community Relations Commission page to learn more.

Board of Cemetery Trustees

Meetings are held quarterly on the first Thursday of the quarter at 2 p.m.

  • Pete Weddell, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • James McKee, Mayor Appointee (1/22 – 12/25)
  • Colin Yoder, Mayor Appointee (1/22 – 12/25)
  • Michelle Kercher, Mayor Appointee (1/22 – 12/25)
  • Staff Liaison: Burt Matteson, Director of Cemeteries
  • Council Liaison: Doug Nisley

Role: Manages and oversees the maintenance and operations of the city’s cemeteries.

Economic Development Commission

Meetings held as necessary.

  • Vacant, Mayor Appointee
  • Vacant, Council Appointee
  • Jorge Montenegro, Mayor Appointee (9/23 – 1/26)
  • Staff Support: Becky Hutsell, Redevelopment Director and Don Shuler, Assistant City Attorney

Role: Promotes economic growth by facilitating development projects and initiatives. Four-year terms.

Downtown Economic Improvement District

Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m.

  • Mim Shirk, Council Appointee (6/24 – 5/26)
  • Jason Oswald, Council Appointee (6/24 – 5/26)
  • Denise Davis Council Appointee (6/24 – 5/26)
  • Rosie Morales, Council Appointee (6/23 – 5/25)
  • Justin Bell, Council Appointee (6/23 – 5/25)
  • Council Liason: Megan Peel
  • Staff Support: Tanya Heyde, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation

Role: Enhances the downtown area through economic improvements and revitalization efforts. Two-year terms.

Visit the main Downtown Economic Improvement District page to learn more.

Parks & Recreation Board

Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

  • Jennifer Shell, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/27)
  • Megan Hessl, Mayor Appointee (10/25 – 10/28)
  • Jenni Samuel, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/29)
  • James Wellington, Plan Commission Appointee (1/23 – 12/26)
  • Roger Nafziger, School Board Appointee (1/23 – 12/26)
  • Youth Advisor: Quetzaly Herrea (6/26 – 5/27)
  • Council Liason: Matt Schrock
  • Staff Support: Tanya Heyde, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation

Role: Enriches Goshen’s quality of life by providing diverse recreational opportunities, maintaining public green spaces, and promoting community wellness. Four-year terms.

Visit the main Parks & Recreation Board page to learn more.

Shade Tree Board

Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 4 p.m.

  • Emma Conrad, Council Appointee, (1/24 – 12/26)
  • Adam Knott, Council Appointee (1/25 – 12/27)
  • Pippen Roth, Mayor Appointee (1/24 – 12/26)
  • Kyle Strain, Council Appointee (1/24 – 12/26)
  • Vacant, Council Appointee (1/26 – 12/28)
  • Anne Birky, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/28)
  • Robert Guth, Mayor Appointee (1/26 – 12/28)
  • Youth Advisor: Penelope Jimenez (6/26 – 5/27)
  • City Council Liaison: Matt Schrock
  • Staff Support: Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Director of Environmental Resilience and Melanie Helmuth, Urban Forestry Assistant

Role: Advocates for the preservation and planting of trees, enhancing urban forestry. Three-year terms.

Traffic Commission

Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

  • Brad Minnick, Chair, Engineering Department
  • Brett Weddell, City Council President
  • Nick Kieffer, Chamber of Commerce Representative
  • David Gibbs, Street Commissioner
  • Alan Metcalfe, Goshen Community School Representative
  • Phil Schrock, Goshen Assistant Fire Chief
  • Nic Kauffman, Goshen Police
  • Dennis Richmond, Community Member
  • Nick Bouwman, Bicycle Representative
  • Staff Liaison: Andrew Lund, Engineering Project Manager
  • Youth Advisor: Jennifer Ngo (6/26 – 5/27)
  • Staff Support: Dustin Sailor, Director of Public Works

Role: Reviews traffic concerns and makes recommendations for road safety improvements. To submit traffic-related concerns, please email: [email protected].