Noxious weeds a concern in county
Noxious weed concerns on several properties in Jackson County are being addressed as now is the prime time to spray for these invasive species, according to Dan Robinson, noxious weed director and solid waste manager for Jackson County.
During a recent commission meeting, Robinson outlined the process of determining where noxious weeds are located in the county and how property owners are contacted about eliminating them.
Robinson said that when he receives a complaint about noxious weeds on a property, he visits the property to determine if the complaint is valid.
If it is, Robinson will send a letter to the owner. If the owners have not sprayed the property within two weeks, he will send them a registered letter through County Counselor Alex Morrissey’s office.
In addition to complaints from residents, Robinson said the state sends him a list of 10 random sections in county to inspect.
“I have to walk and look at these properties every year,” Robinson said.
There are 12 plant species designated as noxious weeds in Kansas. The largest concern in Jackson County is sericea lespedeza.
If a landowner makes no attempt to rid their land of the noxious weeds, the county can spray the weeds and bill the owner for the chemicals, equipment and manpower. Robinson said since he’s worked for the county, he has never had to spray weeds on a private property.
In recent weeks, Robinson said he has sent out several registered letters to landowners in the county. There is a concern with people who own property in the county for hunting rights but live in another state.
According to current state statutes, Robinson said that if property owners make “any slight attempt” to spray or mow the weeds, the county cannot interfere by spraying their land.
“We send letters every year to the same property owners who live out of state, and we can’t do anything about it,” he said.
Robinson said that the state is attempting to change regulations regarding noxious weeds so that property owners have to make a “real, honest attempt” at ridding the weeds from their property.
It was noted that sericea lespedeza has been spotted in some areas at Banner Creek Reservoir park, and Robinson said he is working with John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir manager, to develop a spray program for the reservoir park and its trails.
In other business, according to unapproved minutes, the commission:
* Met in executive session for five minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
* Heard a weekly report from Eric Fritz and Earl Bahret, road and bridge co-supervisors.
* Discussed a call regarding trees being sprayed in the county. Commissioner Janet Zwonitzer wanted to know why the county is spraying trees instead of cutting them.
The supervisors reported that the trees in question had been sprayed by a utility company.
* Accepted the low fuel bid of $17,688 from Haag Oil Company for 4,000 gallons of diesel and 4,000 gallons of regular fuel.
Jackson Farmers bid $18,176.
* Noted the potholes on 238th Road near S Road. Bahret stated that road hasn’t been repaired recently because they are waiting until the county receives some more moisture.
* Learned from Fritz that crews are done with chip-and-seal projects.
* Met in executive session with Brooke Smith, juvenile intake and assessment director, for 25 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
* Met with Bret Bauer, Holton city manager, and Kerwin McKee, assistant city manager.
The commissioners said that Morrissey will be speaking with the Holton Fire Department on behalf of the county to discuss the current resolution written between the city and the county regarding the Holton Rural Fire Department #4 and how fire board members are elected.
Currently, the city manager approves the fire chief and the assistant fire chief. The fire board is a county board.
Commissioner Rob Ladner suggested that since both the city and the county fund the district, representatives from both entities should be included on the board. McKee suggested two city representatives, two county representatives and one at-large position.
Bauer noted that it is sometimes difficult to find people to serve on the board.
It was decided that Morrissey would contact the city’s attorney Dennis White about the history of the Holton Rural Fire Department #4 resolution.
* Met with Bill Cochren of Parallel Farms near Whiting who requested that the county chip-and-seal X road from Kansas Highway 9 to 286th Road and then half a mile east to Parallel Farms.
Cochren said the company has been in business for 35 years selling fertilizer, crop chemicals, seed, fuel and other farming products.
Commissioner Ladner said he took a tour of the road with Luke Cochren last month.
Bill Cochren said he was hoping that the road could be improved within the next two years. The commissioners said they would consider the issue.
* Learned from Ladner that he is looking into the county hosting the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibit, which was recently displayed at the Pottawatomie County Fair.
The traveling exhibit honors soldiers who were killed in the war on terror.
* Heard a weekly report from John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir manager. Revenues totaled $3,083 for the week.
Kennedy continues to research cabins and yurts for the reservoir. He stated that Cabela’s and Bass Pro no longer sell cabins.
Conestoga Cabins is the company that previously provided the cabins that Cabela’s sold, and Kennedy requested information from the manufacturer.
The cabins offered by Conestoga Cabins cost between $30,000 and $36,000 and include a kitchen, bathroom, installation, plumbing and electrical and sidewalk access.
Kennedy said he would not like the county to build any cabins that would hold less than six people.
At this time, the commissioners said they would only pursue purchasing cabins at the reservoir if the county received grant funding through Kansas Wildlife and Parks.
* Met in executive session for five minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
* Met with Roger DeVader to discuss a potential bid to construct frames for the historical pictures recently purchased by the county.
Since his arm is in a cast, DeVader said he would be unable to frame the pictures for the next three months.
* Discussed a dog that has been boarded at Banner Creek Animal Hospital for several weeks due to the owner violating the county’s vicious dog resolution.
Commissioner Zwonitzer said that Morrissey will need to write a letter to the dog owner stating that he will need to repay the county for paying the fines within the court system.
* Accepted the low road salt bid of $56.37 a ton from Central Salt LLC of Elgin, Ill. The other bid was $63.38 per ton submitted by Independent Salt Company of Kanopolis.
* Met in executive session with Morrissey and Jason Claycamp, zoning administrator, for 20 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
* Approved a motion to change the zoning at 17056 94th Rd. from A1 to I1.
* Discussed an issue regarding an undocumented road at the end of 262nd Road, west of T Road.
The commissioners agreed not to take any action on the road that is not platted by the county. It was further decided that the current landowner and adjoining landowner will have to file for a permanent easement with the ability to transfer the property to a future landowner if the current adjoining landowner were to sell his or her property.
* Met with Austin Taylor, Shelby Patch, Jessica Snyder, Tanner Snyder, Mike Eiburger and Jamison Honeycutt, who all own property in the Green Acres subdivision south of Holton. The subdivision is located south of 214th Road and just west of Q Road.
The landowners asked the commissioners if the county could take over the maintenance of the road. Taylor said he thought there was a contract that stated that after 10 years, the county would take over the responsibility of maintaining the road.
The landowners have already purchased rock and had it graded so that it is up to county standards. There are 10 lots and five houses within the subdivision.
The commissioners questioned the width of the current driveways in the subdivision and said that the county standard is 24 feet.
The landowners said they would get the measurements of the length and width of the driveways, and the commissioners said they would get with the road and bridge co-supervisors about the possibility of maintaining it.
* Signed three payroll change notices for the dispatch department and one for the juvenile intake department.
* Adjourned the meeting at 4:54 p.m. All commissioners were present.
