ARCHIVE

Sieger steps down from planning commission

Staff reporter

Longtime volunteer Eileen Sieger informed Marion County Commission Monday that she did not want to be re-appointed to serve on the county's planning commission or board of zoning appeals.

Sieger had served more than 15 years and was instrumental in organizing the zoning boards and regulations.

"All of my decisions were based on my sole motivation — the betterment of Marion County," Sieger said.

"There is no one more dedicated than you," said Commissioner Randy Dallke.

Recent proposed zoning changes made by the county commission had caused friction between the two commissions and with the hiring of a new zoning administrator came additional changes that were unfamiliar to the planning commission.

Sieger said she had other pursuits and will stay active in the community.

She and Marquetta Eilerts of Peabody are up for re-appointment or replacement Jan. 1. There also remains an open seat from the first district on the planning commission/board of zoning appeals.

In other business:

— Commission Chairman Dan Holub clarified that changes at Marion County Lake, such as the removal and/or replacement of the older trailers would not take place without public hearings.

He reiterated that the commission wants to hear from constituents on the subject and a decision would not be made until the public had sufficient time to be heard.

— County sanitarian Strait reported water had been tested from Mud Creek in the northwest part of the county, northeast of Marion Reservoir, after a resident expressed concern of a white substance and smell in the water.

Strait said Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported there was "nothing in the water to be concerned about."

The color and odor changes were because of increased vegetation and stagnant water, Strait said.

— The commission had requested that county clerk Carol Maggard obtain information regarding two boilers on the courthouse campus — one in the courthouse and one in the jail.

Maggard reported that the boiler in the courthouse was a 1973 model which still was being made. She was told by KVK, the maintenance contractor that the boiler was still good for another 10 years.

However, the jail's 1955 boiler needed to be replaced.

— Florence Christian Church authorities requested a reduced commercial solid waste fee because it only holds a weekly church service and does not have a Dumpster.

Maggard said senior centers in the county that do not serve meals and fire stations are charged a lower fee since those entities do not generate commercial grade trash.

Discussion between commissioners suggested ways to determine which entities would be entitled to the reduction. Holub pointed out that some churches have halls or basements that are rented for wedding receptions and other events which generates a significant amount of refuse.

It also was pointed out that churches are not intermittent or seasonal as stated for reasons for the lower rate in the county's resolution.

In the end, the commission decided it will review possible changes to the resolution before the next deadline which is July and not make any changes at this time.

— Commissioner Randy Dallke asked Maggard if worker's compensation insurance was a requirement for all county contractors. Maggard said it was because of auditing requirements.

— The commission announced that the chief executive officer of Northview Development Services Inc., Mary Holloway, had resigned.

The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 29. There will not be a meeting the following week because of the holidays.

Quantcast