Zoning issues to be aired in meeting
Staff reporter
A work session between Marion County Commission and Marion County Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals will be at 6 p.m. March 24, prior to the regular planning commission meeting.
County commissioner Dan Holub said he would prefer a meeting separate from the regular monthly meeting of the planning commission because he didn't want any time constraints.
"I don't want this limited to one hour," Holub said. He said he wanted to talk about zoning issues until both sides were finished.
County zoning administrator David Brazil said the planning commission preferred to meet the same night as the planned meeting.
Brazil also said zoning consultant Jim Kaupp would be willing to attend the work session.
Commission Randy Dallke suggested the two commissions meet for an hour and "then see what needs to be done after that."
The commission decided public comment will not be allowed during this work session. Future meetings will be planned specifically for public input.
The meeting was a result of the Feb. 22 meeting when Holub told Brazil there were specific zoning issues that must be addressed.
"Acreage is a huge issue," Holub said.
Brazil said he recommended waiting a year before making any changes to the newly-adopted zoning regulations.
"The public may perceive the zoning regulations differently when they get used to them," Brazil said.
Holub said he didn't want to wait a year and wanted to address the issues in the near future.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he also had concerns.
"During my campaign (for county commission), I heard two complaints — roads and zoning," Dallke said.
Dallke said there is 934 square miles in the county. A goal he would like to see accomplished in the next 10 to 15 years is a five-acre rural housing development tract.
He added farmers need to be respected and protected in the process.
Brazil made the suggestion of a meeting between the commission and chairman of the planning commission. It will be open to the public but comments from the public will not be allowed.
In other business from Feb. 22 meeting:
— The commission approved the renewal for employee health insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
The new rates reflected a reduction in monthly cost from $371 for single coverage to $334, and from $823 for family to $741. The coverage includes medical, prescription drugs, and dental.
— Brazil was instructed by the commission to pursue bids from B&G Consultants regarding repairs to the transfer station tipping floor.
— Sheriff Lee Becker reported insurance companies have settled claims related to damage incurred to a deputy's car. Becker said it was not feasible to take the automobile to a Wichita auction and suggested the car be sold either by sealed bid or when Markley Service has an auction in a few weeks.
Dallke told Becker to confirm the date of the auction and report to the commission so the public will be aware of the plans.
Becker also reported $1,600 in damages to another deputy's car caused by a deer.
Dallke asked what the rotation plans were for the vehicles. Becker said he planned to run the cars "until they dropped." A replacement car will be purchased next year, he said.
— County attorney Susan Robson reported that a previous news story in the Marion County Record pertaining to Sunday beer sales was accurate. Retail sale of 3.2 beer on Sundays is not allowed in Kansas. Municipalities may adopt a resolution to allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays.
The commission said they were not interested in pursuing the issue any further and asked Robson to write a letter to Warren Kreutziger, owner of Canada Bait & Tackle, regarding the findings.
— Robson also was instructed to present county-paid medical expenses to the district judge when a prisoner goes to court. Currently, when an inmate requires medical attention (ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, hospitalization, examination by physician), the county has absorbed the expense.
Dallke suggested the sheriff's department notify the attorney's office of the expenses prior to the inmate's court date.
— The commission approved the annual payment of $300 to the Flint Hills RC&D (Rural Conservation and Development).
— A letter was received from Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, the county's auditors, regarding the status of the ambulance department billing.
Dallke said he was not sure where the department was with "catching up" and the letter didn't address his concerns.
Clerk Carol Maggard explained the department lost a week during the ice storm when the computer couldn't be used. She added the billing must be caught up by May when the annual audit is completed.
Maggard was instructed to request a written report from Darryl Thiesen, department director, regarding the status and date when the billing would be current.
The first target date for becoming current with the billing was Jan. 31 which was extended to March 31.
— Brazil requested and received a 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege. Robson also was in attendance.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— Brazil also requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— Dianna Carter, county appraiser, requested and received a 25-minute executive session to discuss personnel.
When the meeting reconvened, the commission approved Carter's request to hire an individual for an appraiser I position when a position becomes vacant in March.
