COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2004

 

The Commissioners met with all members.  Present were Richard Carlson, chairman; Tom Doperalski, vice chairman; and Barbara Kolde, member.

 

At 8:30 John McNellis and Ben Jilko of McNellis Enterprises presented an update on the Blue Township Sewer and Timber Creek Water System since the County took over operation on July 21, 2004.  Mr. Jilko discussed the problems he found with the sewer plant operations.  He stated that some of the equipment was not operable and was in the process of repairing much of it.  Mr. Jilko stated Leon Smith from AAA Septic Tank Cleaning had pumped out much of the solids in the holding tanks to reduce the level of sludge to a more operable level.  Mr. McNellis provided a list of improvements still to be made.  (Attachment #1)

 

Gregg Webster, zoning administrator, and John Keller, county planner met with the Commissioners to discuss two conditional use permit applications.

 

The first application is requesting a conditional use permit to place a billboard sign on property located at 11855 Cassie Ln, St. George.  This is the property where the Halfway Station Convenience Store is located.  The property is currently zoned for commercial use as part of a planned unit development.  Billboards are allowed to be placed on land zoned commercial or industrial if the tract is vacant.  This request is conditional use because a commercial business is already located on the tract.  The Planning Commission after holding 2 hearings has denied the request because of safety issues with the intersection listed below: (Highway 24 and Flush Rd) 

1.        A billboard sign at this intersection would be a distraction tot he traffic in the west bound lane.

2.        The intersection is already dangerous because of the speed of the traffic and the poor sight distance looking east from the Flush Road.

3.        Placing a billboard anywhere at this intersection would make it more dangerous.

 

The Commissioners discussed the information presented.  Commissioner Kolde moved and Commissioner Doperalski seconded a motion to pass Resolution 2004-34 denying the request for conditional use permit to allow a billboard sign to be placed on property located at 11855 Cassie Ln.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #2)

 

The second request is for a conditional use permit to allow a veterinary clinic to be operated from an existing building on Lot 1 of Danker Subdivision.  The property is located at 9270 Highway 24, Manhattan or what is the southeast corner of Highway 24 and Excel Rd.  Zoning ordinance allows, by conditional use, the re-adaptation of an existing building for an appropriate use.  The applicant’s proposal is to convert an existing metal building into a veterinary clinic.

 

After the public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended approval for the following reasons:

1.        The site is suitable for the proposed use because of the existing building and the size of the tract.

2.        It would have minimal impact on surrounding property.

3.        It would fit into the character of the neighborhood as there are other agricultural uses in the area.  (CO-OP, and farm land to the south)

4.        The proposed fits into the land use plan for the area.  The plan calls for commercial on this tract even though it is residential at this point.  The house could possibly be converted for commercial use.

 

The Commissioners discussed the information presented.  Commissioner Kolde moved and Commissioner Doperalski seconded to pass Resolution 2004-35 approving the request submitted by Gail Moore for a conditional use permit allowing a veterinarian clinic to be operated in an existing building on property located in Lot 1 Danker Subdivision, 9270 Hwy 24, Manhattan, KS.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #3)

 

Gregg Webster also presented a resolution for the Commissioners to consider.  On July 19, 2004, the Commission passed Resolution 2004-33.  This resolution as presented included an incorrect address.  The resolution presented today corrected the address.  Commissioner Kolde moved and Commissioner Doperalski seconded a motion to pass Resolution 2004-36 vacating the utility easement at 8736 Eagles Landing Dr.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #4)

 

Sheriff Greg Riat discussed what his personnel is doing to address concerns of the State Fire Marshal’s Office on a recent inspection of the Jail.  The Sheriff also requested the Commission and Public Works director tour the Sheriff’s office and discuss ways to address various concerns he has with their space.  The Commission directed Robert to set a time for that meeting.

 

Commissioner Carlson contacted Trudy Hoffman and Robert Rawson to serve as canvassers of the August 3rd election.  Both agreed.  Commissioner Kolde moved and Commissioner Doperalski seconded to appoint Trudy Hoffman and Robert Rawson and a person from the Clerk’s office to canvass the August 3 Primary Election at 8:30 A.M. on Monday, August 9.

 

Robert Reece, county administrator, discussed the 2005 annual budget with the Commissioners. Robert discussed the need to revisit the County Fair budget.  The statute used to site budgetary authority to levy a tax for that operation no longer applies to Pottawatomie County as the County’s current population exceeds the range noted.  The Commissioners agreed to levy two tenths of a mill in the County General fund for Fair operation beginning in 2005 and eliminate the separate county wide tax levy for the Fair.  The Commission directed Robert to draft a resolution rescinding Resolution 1995-22 which established the authority to levy a tax for fair purposes.  The Commission reviewed final changes to the budget and approved the notice of public hearing on the 2005 budget to be sent to the paper.  The public hearing is set for August 16th, 2004 at 8:30 A.M.  (Attachment #5)

 

Commissioner Kolde moved and Commissioner Doperalski seconded to sign an Amendment to Shawnee County Community Corrections Contract with Pottawatomie County.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

Commissioner Carlson read a request from the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program for a $400.00 contribution.  Commissioner Doperalski moved and Commissioner Kolde seconded the motion to provide $400.00 to be paid out of unclassified to the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program.  Motion passed 2 to 1 with Commissioner Kolde voting against the motion.  Kolde stated her opposition as feeling the organization should be self sufficient.

 

Commission approved minutes for July 26, 2004.

 

Meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________                                           _______________________

County Clerk                                                                         Chairman

 

                                                                                                                _______________________

                                                                                                                Vice Chairman

 

                                                                                                                _______________________

                                                                                                                Member