By BARBARA PROFFITT | May 3, 2023

The May 1 meeting of the Linn County Commissioners began with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting, which was followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $110,468.29. Commissioners approved abatement 2022-902 for $418.92. 

Randy Hegwald, Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator, requested a 10-minute executive session for personnel. Linn County Economic Development Administrator Jessica Hightower requested a five minute executive session for personnel.

Kevin Friend, Linn County Sheriff reported his department currently has 54 inmates with 13 releases in the last week, noting that 32 are farm-ins. Friend also reported they had completed billing totaling $74,522 as follows that morning:

- Wyandotte County - $39,352

- U.S. Marshalls - $32,648 plus $2,117 for transporting inmates

- Department of Corrections - $405

Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West brought back the qualified bids on culverts and recommended commissioners accept the bid from Wellborn Sales in the amount of $41,676.29. Commissioners approved the recommended bid on a 3-0 vote.

Commissioners then opened bids for excavators and returned them to West for qualification, which is to be completed by next week’s meeting.

West presented a contract with Burlington Northern Santa Fe for the Hell’s Bend project and noted the contract has to be signed to move forward on the project. The project is on an 80-20 matching grant but does not cover engineering. Commissioner Jason Hightower moved to enter into the contract with BNSF Railway for the estimated $12,000 for engineering on that project. The motion was seconded and carried on a 3-0 vote.

West stated he requested a bid from Custom on the container and it came in at $10,150 with $616 in shipping fees making it more expensive than the bid from J.R. Kerr. West added that one has to be purchased in order to rotate the containers for repair. Commissioner Jim Johnson moved to accept the bid from Kerr at $10,500. 

West reported that commercial haulers had been notified that the tipping floor will be shut down from June 2 to June 12 so that repairs can be made.  

Commissioners then entered into a 15-minute executive session for personnel matters with 10 for Hegwald and five for EDA Hightower. The regular meeting resumed with no action taken.

Dr. Allen then spoke to commissioners regarding the possibility of the county providing future funding for the STARS Academy (See related article in this edition)

Pam Cannon, Linn County Mapping Department spoke with commissioners about annual renewal on their software at a cost of $27,500, which is already in the budget. At Cannon’s request commissioners approved a $150 yearly subscription to the secure portal for access to specific layers of maps specifically for contours, etc.

Linn County Planning and Zoning Administrator Darin Wilson presented CUP 2023-03 for a conditional use permit for a commercial kitchen at 16651 CR-1095 for Samantha Mills. Wilson noted that the CUP recommended approval pending licensing and inspection, which is scheduled. Commissioners moved to approve with the conditions as set by the Planning Commission.

Wilson then presented Z-2023-02 for a zoning change from agricultural to Ag/residential on a lot split that is below 10 acres in size and does not yet have an address assigned. Commissioners approved the rezoning as presented. 

Commissioners then entered into executive session for legal matters with county counselor Gary Thompson for 20 minutes.

Following the executive session, the commissioners moved to enter into a contract for the purchase of the Memaw’s’ building in Pleasanton at a cost of $73,000 on a 2-1 vote with Johnson voting against the motion and authorizing McCullough to sign the contract.