Jackson commission approves Courtyard sign change
With the construction of the new Holton sign under way on the southwest corner of the Jackson County Courtyard, the county commissioners are considering adding one more detail to the sign – the words “Jackson County.”
All three commissioners – Janet Zwonitzer, Bill Elmer and Rob Ladner – agreed to have head custodian Chad Phillips research the cost of adding the words “Jackson County” underneath the word “Holton” on the sign.
Commissioner Zwonitzer noted that there is no signage on or around the Courthouse noting Jackson County and wondered if it could be added to the new sign.
Initial estimates for the cost of the limestone wall were projected at $36,725 and members of the former Holton Main Street agreed to donate $22,000 towards the sign with the rest being covered with county funds.
Since the sign is located on county property and is being paid for, in part, by county funds, the commissioners decided that the words “Jackson County” should be included on the bottom half of the sign in 10-inch letters, below the word “Holton.”
The commissioners noted that the construction of the sign is going well.
Once complete, the project will include a 32-foot long limestone wall, native landscaping and lighting to illuminate the words and two pillars. The project, which was designed by Andy Gilliland of Topeka Landscape, is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.
In other business, according to the unapproved minutes, the commission:
* Heard a weekly report from Eric Fritz and Earl Bahret, road and bridge co-supervisors. Zwonitzer said she noticed that the pipe at the entrance to Deer Run needs to be cleared out and a pipe west of it, up the road, is completely uncovered and needs to be reburied. Fritz said it would be fixed soon.
* Learned that 254th Road was ready for chip and seal.
* Signed off on the additional bids submitted for the sale of properties acquired by the county. The bids included $643.55 for lots 43 and 45 Eastern Avenue in Denison submitted by Ernest DeBusk, $1,000 for 327 Whiting St. in Whiting submitted by Roger Breshears and $50 a lot for 107 Eastern Ave., 109 Eastern Ave. and 114 Central Ave., all in Denison, submitted by Dennis and Hannah Johnson.
* Left their chamber to view the new light fixtures that were installed on the third floor of the Courthouse.
* Discussed how fire board members are appointed with Pat Korte, emergency management director, and County Counselor Alex Morrissey. The commissioners are contacting each board in order to set up a meeting of all members with the commission.
* Met with county resident Carroll Young to discuss his property, which is located off of 262nd and T Roads. The road does not go all the way through to his property, and Young requested that 262nd Road be extended 297 feet to his property line so that he can reach his land by road.
There is currently a sign at the intersection that states it is a dead end. Young said he thought that sometime in 2003 or 2004 the county rocked this strip of road so that he could have access to his property. He said that cost of the rock was paid for by him and another property owner.
After some research, it was noted that there has never been a road between S and T Roads or a continuation of 262nd at this section. It was thought that the adjoining neighbor rocked the area for Young to get to his property.
Jackson County Zoning Administrator Jason Claycamp and Jackson County Appraiser Larry Reynolds stated that there is no proof that the road was vacated or that the road ever existed.
The commissioners agreed that Young’s land is the dead end of the county road and that they would have Morrissey write up the documentation that proves it.
* Learned from Brooke Smith, juvenile intake and assessment director, that the Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Plan Grant has been approved. Smith will be receiving training on the grant in August.
The commissioners asked her about the intake during the week of the Country Stampede at Manhattan. Smith said that 20 or 30 juveniles on average are taken to juvenile intake during the week but that only eight came through the system this year.
* Learned from John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir manager, that the week of the Fourth of July was busy at the reservoir with campers. The weekly revenue was more than $7,400.
Kennedy presented several quotes for the purchase of 12 six-foot picnic tables with galvanized frames and wood tops and seats.
The bids included $5,875.57 from Belson Outdoors of Illinois, $5,076 from Uline of Wisconsin and $3,444.48 from Kay Park of Iowa. The commissioners approved the bid from Kay Park.
* Learned from Kennedy that staff members are working on trimming trees back on trails, as well as repairing trail surfaces and drainage culverts and bridges.
* Left their chamber for an hour to view county roads.
* Learned from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse that the asphalt behind the jail needs to be patched.
* Met in executive session for 15 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
* Adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m. All three commissioners were present.
