Staff writer
Marion County Planning and zoning director Tonya Richards asked the Marion County Commission on Monday about creating a license for the construction of retaining walls.
Walls in several locations at Marion County Park and Lake have created issues. One wall in the Wildin subdivision is leaning and looks like it could fall over at any moment. Other walls off Jerome are located in county road right-of-ways, blocking potential construction. Other retaining walls land on the other side of private property.
Richards said a license could set restrictions on the size of walls, which would reduce safety hazards like the leaning wall in the Wildin subdivision but could also require a survey to make sure the wall did not pass over right-of-way or property lines.
Commissioners advised Richards to have County Attorney Susan Robson examine a license proposal.
Commissioner Roger Fleming also suggested modifying deeds so that if a property with a retaining wall in a right away was sold the new owners would be aware that it could be knocked down to make way for construction.
In other business:
- Excell Towers is requesting a conditional use permit for a wireless cell phone tower to be located off 320th and Holly roads near K-15. Richards said she will check if the location veers into a historical site of the Santa Fe Trail.
- The commission approved an appointment to the Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization board. Barbara Bunting from Newton will join the board. Commissioner Randy Dallke’s term on the board has ended; Dallke and Fleming made a motion for Dan Holub to be the replacement. There is also a Marion County position available that was vacated by Diane Young.
- A salary change was approved for clerk and tresurer’s office employee Mary Ann Siebert. Her monthly salary increased from $1,877 from $1,841.
- The county will receive $6,109 found after a worker’s compensation audit performed by KWORCC.
- A chemical bid from Ag Service was approved for the noxious weed department. The total bid was for $6,622. It included 24 quarts of Milestone, 10 gallons of Milestone, 256 ounces of Metsulfuron Methyl, and 30 gallons of Dicamba. The other bid received was from Markley Service for $6,859.