County hears complaints about planned airbnb at County Lake

The Marion County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, Aug. 31 for payday and other business. They opened hearing from Marion County resident Linda Judd.

Judd presented written and verbal comments in opposition to a conditional use permit application to allow the residence next to hers to be used as a short-term rental.

“I came out here to have privacy and that is not a guarantee now if this happens,” Judd said.

The commissioners listened to her concern and asked further questions such as if the other neighbors felt the same way.

Judd stated that she thought fellow neighbors were upset about it, but they did not speak out at the planning an zoning hearing she and several others attended. She also stated that while the property to be rented out was set back and secluded providing lots of privacy and separation from other properties around it, she just did not feel comfortable about strangers staying nect to her personal property.

No decisions were made of action taken.

The board met in executive session to conduct an employment interview for the Emergency Management Director position. No action was taken.

Interim Director Marcy Hostetler presented information on weather radios that she would like to distribute to senior citizens during September for National Preparedness Month. The Board was in support. In addition, the board moved to adopt a Proclamation Declaring September National Preparedness Month in Marion County.

The board learned that sales tax for the month of June has been received in the amount of $97,130.88.

They also reviewed a detailed list of expenditures by fund and the monthly comp time report was reviewed. Crofoot moved to approve payment to Elcon Services in the amount of $237.61. Becker seconded and motion carried 4-0 with Gehring abstaining due to conflict of interest (abstention counted with majority prevailing).

Gehring moved to approve payment to Western Associates in the amount of $994.15. Becker seconded. It was clarified that that an invoice for t-shirts for the Park & Lake were for shirts sold at the Blue Grass Festival. Motion carried 5-0 with Crofoot abstaining due to conflict of interest (abstention counted with majority prevailing).

The board approved the grand total payday figure of $1,130,152.51 (including payroll at $583,507.44).

Interim EMS Director Chuck Kenney requested approval to proceed with implementation of a 48 hour on / 96 hour off schedule for medical personnel in the department effective October 21, 2022. The commissioners voted to move ahead with the proposed change.

The board then met in executive session to discuss personnel/performance of non-elected personnel. No actio was taken.

County Engineer Brice Goebel presented area fuel bids for approval: Area 1 (1,400 gallons) Area 2 (1,950 gallons) Area 3 (1,950 gallons).The board voted to award Areas 1 and 3 to Epp’s Service and Area 2 to MFA Oil. Goebel and the board then discussed ongoing projects and department activities. No action was taken.

The board decided to proceed with an Economic Development Grant for the portion of 290th east of

Remington Rd. to Hwy. 77 and to have Goebel bring back proposals included estimated cost for submitting three bridge structures under the Cost Share program.

Goebel announced that rock hauling bids were received and that he has awarded the contract to JL Unruh for eleven sections.

County. Counselor Brad Jantz joined via teleconference and discussed a recommendation that the County vacate the surface rights to the portion of Eastshore Road discussed on August 22nd but maintain a 50’ easement. The board agreed with this recommendation. Jantz said he would work with Planning/Zoning Director Sharon Omstead and have the appropriate document prepared for approval at the next regular County Commission meeting.

The group then went into executive session to discuss potential litigation pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319b (2) for consultation with the attorney in matters deemed privileged under attorney/client privilege with the Board, Jantz, Kenney, and Spencer present. No action was taken.

In other business:

n A special events permit application was submitted by Justin Whiteman for a private Labor Day

celebration to include fireworks at property located at 2156 Pawnee on Sept. 3. After review, Gehring moved to approve subject to receipt of the $50 application fee and contingent upon verification of safe weather conditions on the day of the event. It was decided that the applicant will call dispatch on the day of the event to verify that fireworks would be allowed under current burning regulations.

n Commissioner Dallke noted that after a conversation with the Sheriff it might be possible to scale back the scope of the proposed storage building (with proper security fencing in place) to open sidewalls and a dirt floor for equipment storage and only a small portion of the building being enclosed for potential record storage.

The next meeting will be at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

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