Final drafts of county regulations approved
Staff reporter
It's official. Marion County Commission approved the final amendment for updated zoning regulations and adopted new subdivision regulations.
David Brazil, county zoning director, presented the final drafts with requested changes. The planning commission also approved the two documents.
The regulations will go into effect Jan. 1 with no additional applications being accepted by Brazil in December.
Minutes from the Oct. 28 planning commission meeting were distributed. Brazil also distributed a copy of conditions that must met in order to grant a variance or zoning changes.
Brazil requested and received approval to update the county's sanitary codes. He said the changes could be made "in-house." Additional requirements for septic tanks was one of the main changes Brazil wants to make. Additional equipment may cost the homeowner from $50 to $200 but the life span of the tank should be significantly longer.
When the changes are completed, the draft will be sent to Kansas Department of Health and Environment, a public hearing will be held, and the commission will review.
A March completion date is anticipated.
In other business:
— The commission approved a low bid of $680 for an ice shield at the radio tower. Michelle Abbott-Becker, director of communications and emergency management, presented the bid from Krause Welding of Hillsboro.
Abbott-Becker requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss identifiable personnel. Assistant county clerk Rose Funk also remained in the session with the commission. Funk was taking minutes in county clerk Carol Maggard's absence due to final election business.
The session reconvened with no decisions.
— A new contract with a consortium that provides random drug testing for road and bridge department was approved. The cost per person increased from $3.50 to $5 per test. Training for supervisors and employees will cost $25 and $5, respectively. The county will pay $35 each time an employee is scheduled for a test and doesn't show up.
The testing is mandated by Kansas Department of Transportation.
— Transport fuel bids from Cardie Oil Company of Tampa and Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro were reviewed. The commission approved a low bid of $13,120 presented by Cardie Oil Company for 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 2,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline.
Road crossing permits across U.S.-77 were approved for electrical and water services.
Also approved was a transfer of $175,000 from the road and bridge fund to special machinery and equipment fund for lease payments.
Jim Herzet, acting county road and bridge superintendent, requested and received permission to seek bids for two bridge replacement projects. The projects would be completed in 2005 with 2004 funds.
The commission reviewed a copy of a letter from Mike Olson of Kirkham Michael Consultants, the county's consulting engineer, regarding negotiations with KDOT for reimbursement during the closure of U.S.-77.
An overlay for Sunflower and patch material for county roads were among the requests to KDOT.
The commission requested Olson be notified and placed on Monday's agenda.
Commissioner Howard Collett said he would discuss with county attorney Susan Robson appropriate signage on Nighthawk to prohibit through truck traffic during U.S.-77 construction.
— Dale Snelling, county lake director, reported anticipated revenue from permits will be $97,000, $8,000 less than budgeted.
Snelling said he anticipated a $12,000 carry-over at the end of the year.
The commission instructed Snelling to obtain a bid for a dam inspection. The estimated cost for the inspection was $5,000, with funds set aside for possible repairs.
— Bonnie Vinduska has been hired as a part-time employee in the register of deeds office.
— The commission approved a three-year appointment of Jan Schroeder of Hillsboro to the board of Northview Developmental Services.
— A letter was sent to Kevin Moler, Marion High School vocal music teacher, regarding musical entertainment at the county Christmas party.
— The commission approved the 2005 holiday schedule for county employees with no changes from 2004. Notation was made the judicial department will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 3.
— Funk presented county treasurer Jeannine Bateman's reports of October expenses of $1,981 from the special auto budget and cash on hand.
At the close of business on Oct. 29, there was $5,523,436 total cash on hand. Of that total, $1,457,545 was in general fund and $650,125 in road and bridge fund.
Compared with previous years, $5,073,951 was on hand in October 2003, and $5,589,682 was on hand in October 2002.
A delinquency factor for 2003 ad valorem taxes was noted at 2.73 percent.
— A monthly budget report was distributed to the commission for review.
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
