BOARD OF McPHERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 

 

AUGUST 2, 2005

REGULAR MEETING

10:00 A.M.

ALL PRESENT

 

The following items were added to the agenda:  1) Second Extension of Real Estate Purchase Contract; 2) Discuss Strategic Plan and 3) Request for Employee Appreciation Lunch.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Deb Colle of Delmore Township, Pat Weibert of Bonneville Township and Julie Young of Delmore Township spoke to the Commissioners during Public Input at 10:00 a.m.  Ms. Colle showed photographs she took of the wind turbines in Woodward, Oklahoma emphasizing the size of the turbines.  She said they started with 34 turbines and in two years have increased to 68.  Ms Weibert stated that she owns property on both sides of the proposed site where the turbines might be built in McPherson County and she feels they will ruin the look of the land.  Ms. Young presented 10 facts about wind turbines and their effects.  Since a Commissioner stated at an earlier meeting that he was only interested in facts, not opinions, each of the facts she presented referenced the source.

 

Commissioner Terry made a motion to approve the minutes of July 26, 2005 as presented.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commissioner Terry made a motion to approve the checks and claims (one manual check) and payroll.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the adds and abates and landfill register of July 29, 2005.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Mr. Witte presented a second extension of the real estate contract for the purchase of land to be used for the future expansion of the McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to sign the extension as presented.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commissioner Terry presented a request from the Employee Committee to hold the second annual Employee Appreciation Lunch on September 7, 2005.  They also requested that the Commissioners “volunteer” to cook and serve the meat again this year.  It was a consensus of the Commissioners to approve the Employee Appreciation Lunch and they agreed to cook and serve the meat.

 

There was discussion on the county’s Strategic Plan. A questionnaire will be sent to county residents and Mr. Witte asked the Commissioners to review questions from a sample questionnaire and choose and/or add questions they would like on McPherson County’s questionnaire regarding future plans for the County.

 

There was brief discussion on the 2006 County Budget.

 

Chad Bahr, Planning & Zoning Administrator, joined the meeting at 10:30 a.m. with the following agenda items:

A.  Request from Western Wireless L.L.C., dba Cellular One via Faulk and Foster of Grand Rapids, MI, to erect a cellular tower at 153 Old Highway 81 in an Agricultural Zoning District.  After discussion, it was suggested by the Commissioners that Mr. Bahr look into adding a requirement to future requests similar to this one that a bond be required from the applicant to cover costs of eventual removal of the structure.  Commissioner Terry made a motion to approve Resolution 2005-14 “….approving a conditional use permit (C.U.P. 2005-1) in the County of McPherson in the A-1 Agricultural Zoning District”.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  Chairman Schroeder voted aye.  Commissioner Patrick voted aye.  Commissioner Terry voted aye.

Commission Meeting

August 2, 2005

 

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B.  Presented C.U.P. 2005-2, a request by Robert D. Bailey for a sketch plan review for a proposed eight-lot subdivision in an A-1, Agricultural District in New Gottland Township.  The Planning Board has approved the request.  The subdivision will require a private road and it is understood by Mr. Bailey that there will be no County involvement in building or maintaining the private road.  After discussion, Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the sketch plan review as requested.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.

C.  Presented a possible amendment to the County Zoning Regulations regarding recreational outdoor activities.  The amendment would add the following (Item 25) to Article 4, Section 102, Paragraph C: “25. Recreational activities outdoors, such as miniature golf, archery and commercial golf driving ranges.”   Commissioner Terry made a motion to approve Resolution 05-15 amending Article 4, Section 102, Paragraph C, adding Item 25 as requested.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  Chairman Schroeder voted aye.  Commissioner Patrick voted aye.  Commissioner Terry voted aye.

D.  Presented a possible amendment to the County Zoning Regulations regarding storage of combustible/explosive materials.  The amendment would add the following (Item 26) to Article 4, Section 102, Paragraph C: “26. Storage in quantity of such items as anhydrous ammonia, oil, gas and other products which may be considered as highly explosive, combustible or of a volatile nature.”  The Planning & Zoning Board has approved the amendment.  After discussion, Commissioner Patrick made a motion to return the request for an amendment to the Planning & Zoning Board for more research, specifically the problems to farmers and others who use these materials in large quantities as a necessary part of their livelihood.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.

 

At 11:20 a.m. Dillard Webster, Emergency Management/Communications Director, joined the meeting with a Personnel Change Notice (PCN) to hire Angela Wedel as a Communications Tech (12/A) effective August 3, 2005.  Commissioner Terry made a motion to approve the PCN as presented.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Dianna Carter, County Appraiser, joined the meeting at 11:20 a.m. and requested ten minutes, from 11:20 to 11:30 a.m. in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel in the Appraiser’s Office and to include Mr. Witte.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to go into executive session as requested.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:30 a.m.  No action was taken during executive session.  Ms Carter presented a Personnel Change Notice (PCN) for Kevin Beakey, promoting him from Cartographer to GIS Coordinator (17/I to 20/G) effective July 31, 2005.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the PCN as presented.  Commissioner Terry seconded.  All voted aye.

 

John Klenda, County Counselor, joined the meeting at 11:30 a.m. and requested fifteen minutes (from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.) in executive session under the attorney/client privilege, to discuss possible litigation and to include Mr. Witte.  Commissioner Terry made a motion to go into executive session as requested.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:45 a.m.  No action was taken during executive session.

 

The Commissioners looked at various options for a Commission table/bench for the Commission Room in the Bank of America Building.  After discussion, Commissioner Terry made a motion to have Randa Construction build a bench in the Commission Room.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

At 12:15 p.m. the Commissioners recessed and reconvened at 12:20 p.m. at the Pear Tree Restaurant for a working lunch/budget work session.  Commissioner Terry made a motion to publish the 2006 Budget as corrected.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.  No other action was taken during the work session.  At 1:15 p.m. Commissioner Terry made a motion to adjourn.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commission Meeting

August 2, 2005

 

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Commission Minutes taken by Irene R. Goering.

 

Don L. Schroeder, Chairman

Duane J. Patrick, Vice-Chairman

Harris G. Terry, Commissioner

 

 

Attest:  County Clerk

Susan R. Meng