Youth hunting is approved at former landfill site in county
Marion County Commission approved hunting at the former landfill site for youth and special hunting.
During a meeting on Monday, Stacey Collett, a member of the local Quail Unlimited chapter, said the chapter had talked with Kansas Wildlife & Parks about the property and possible uses.
KWP suggested the commission allow walk-in hunting for those 16 years old and younger with adult supervision, and special hunting. Days allowed for hunting would be Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during hunting seasons.
This would relieve the county of liability if done this way, said Collett. Hunters can reserve an area by June 15 each year with KWP. Collett suggested natural grass be planted instead of brome. He also suggested no grass be planted around the holding pond. The chapter is willing to seed the areas used for hunting.
In the spring, areas could be burned to eliminate unwanted growth of trees and brush. Food plots could be planted for wildlife, said Collett.
David Brazil, county sanitarian, said an area could easily be mowed for a hiking trail.
He said there could not be any activity on the cells or the cap of the landfill.
Collett said fire departments also could use the area for training. Chapter member Dale Ehlers said the area could be used to practice pasture-clearing demonstrations and local Boy Scouts have asked to use the pond area for camp-outs.
Brazil suggested a south entrance be used as a public entrance instead of the west.
He also suggested the group provide a written plan and agreement with KPW regarding the use.
In other business:
— The commission approved an engineering agreement for closure of the former landfill.
Brazil provided copies of other plans approved by Kansas Department of Health & Environment for landfill closures and monitoring as required, but he said an engineer needed to formulate, design, and implement the county's plan.
The commission approved the payment of $5,000 to Jack Chappelle to devise a plan and then pay the engineer on an hourly basis to assist with monitoring.
— The commission reviewed and approved restrictive covenants for the former landfill.
— Commissioners Dan Holub and Randy Dallke expressed concerns about the amount of time required to have zoning applications reviewed and approved by Brazil and the county's planning commission and board of zoning appeals.
Brazil said there were no planning commission meetings planned in June due to harvest and December due to Christmas. Maggard suggested the planning commission deadlines for applications be published with the county's holiday schedule at the beginning of each year.
Holub also suggested local Realtors be given the schedule.
— Dale Snelling, county park and lake superintendent, distributed monthly expense reports.
Year-to-date revenue was $136,224, leaving a balance of $52,189 in the budget and $44,600 in available cash.
Carryover would be $18,000, leaving a balance of $26,000. Snelling said $20,000 would be needed for November and December expenses but anticipated an additional $2,000 in revenue. He figured there would be $8,000 available for a new riding mower.
Snelling advised the commission there also will be a $1,000-$2,000 plumbing bill yet this year.
The commission advised Snelling to use mower dealers within the county to obtain bids.
Snelling also informed the commission that typically the lake hall was closed from November to April due to the high cost of heat. He recalled an incident 10 years earlier when the hall was rented for a New Year's Eve dance and it cost the county $800 to heat the hall.
— Maggard reported that sampling of surface mold has been obtained and sent to American Metropolitan for analysis. The basement area has been cleared of mold and personnel may return.
Contract workers are cleaning courthouse ducts this week and will clear the attic of mold the following week.
Maggard said department heads in the jail and health buildings asked if those buildings would be checked for mold.
— A survey was received from Kansas Association of Counties regarding the county's participation in a health insurance pool.
Counties with state insurance cannot participate because they are committed for five years.
Holub said he was hesitant in participating because the survey asked if the county was willing to participate for three to five years.
Maggard said the information could be compiled and she could present it to the commission prior to submittal.
Dallke said the county was pleased with services and refunds provided by the county's current insurance carrier, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but wanted to look at all options.
— The commission reviewed applications for the county's noxious weed/hazardous household waste director.
— Cindy Magill, county appraiser, requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— Jeannine Bateman, county treasurer, requested and received a 15-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The commission will not meet next week. The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Nov. 30 at the courthouse.
Home care anniversary
is Thursday afternoon
Marion County Home Care will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the clinic basement, 537 S. Freeborn, Marion.
