Hunting land affected by proximity of school house

At the Todd County Commissioner’s Nov 1,  2022 meeting, commissioners listened to concerns regarding hunting land proximity to neighboring land. 

Is it the county’s responsibility to let neighboring landowners know where buildings will be erected? 

It may not be, but a land owner from Fargo, North Dakota certainly would have liked to have had that information as the building of an Amish school house near his hunting land affects how much of his land he can use.

According to the landowner, hunting laws state that he can’t shoot within 500 feet of any occupied buildings. In essence, that means that he loses about five acres of his hunting land because of where the Amish school house is being built.

He was notified of the construction of the school house and had called planning and zoning to find out where the school would be built. No one in planning and zoning really knew for certain. One employee said that it would be on the opposite end of his land. He left it at that, but when he came up to the area, he saw that the foundation for the school had already been dug and it would make the five acres unusable for hunting.

He talked to planning and zoning again and the person who had told him it would be on the opposite end apologized which he said he appreciated them taking ownership of the error.

He said he had spoken with the planning and zoning director and was told his only recourse was to hire a lawyer and sue the Amish neighbors.

He said he was not going to do that. He had talked to the Amish and they had not known and had not been informed by anyone that the location of the school would affect the hunting land.

“There are going to be a lot of people out hunting and wearing orange soon. You know who won’t be wearing orange? Those children. I’m going to go over and ask if I can buy them orange,” he said.

He felt that planning and zoning needed to be more aware of land uses and how permitting one thing could affect another thing.

In other business:

• Approved the consent agenda which included:

-meeting minutes from October 18 

-a gambling permit for the Browerville Sportsmen Club to hold a raffle event at the Clarissa Ballroom on March, 2023

-a gambling permit for the Todd County Council On Aging  (TCCA) to conduct an excluded bingo event at the Clarissa Ballroom on November 13

-a gambling permit for the TCCA to conduct an excluded bingo event at the Clarissa Ballroom on February 12, 2023

-hire Aubrey Koep to fill the open social worker position with a start date to be determined (TBD)

-hire of Ashlie Muhvich to fill the open social worker position with a start date TBD

-the retirement of Registered Nurse Tim Ludwig effective December 15. He has been with the county for 11 years.

• Delivered the oath of office to Kimberley Bosl who will be the interim county recorder.

• Approved the agreement to provide the professional consulting services between Government Management Group and Todd County for the 2022 through 2026 Cost Allocation Plans at a cost of $5,500 for each plan year.

• After discussion about going out for bids for a different firm to do the county audits, the board approved an agreement with Clifton Larson Allen LLP to provide auditing services as specified for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024. There is a gradual increase in cost each year with approximately $20,000 more for the 2022 audit.

Commissioner David Kircher had suggested going out for bids partially because of the large increase but also because he said he felt it was healthy for organizations to go out for bids on occasion. They have been using Clifton Larson Allen LLP since 2003.

Many of the other entities that work within the county also use CLA for their audits.

• Set the date of November 30 at 6:45 p.m. for an informational meeting regarding County Ditch 42.

• Approved the final payment of $12,282.56 for the 2022 gravel surfacing contract to Sanders Construction, Inc. The total cost of the work was $245,651.20.

• The 2023 preliminary Road and Bridge budget contains funds for the replacement of public works unit #6, which is a 2011 CAT 120M motor grader with approximately 7,800 hours. It’s scheduled for replacement in 2023 and is included in the current Todd County Public Works Equipment Replacement Plan.

According to Ziegler Equipment, a new 2023 CAT 120JOY motor grader would cost in excess of $258,110 (state bid prices) with an expected delivery date of around 12 months.

Currently Ziegler Equipment has in inventory a used 2011 CAT 140M2 motor grader with 3,856 hours at a cost of $129,937. This price includes an additional extended two-year powertrain warranty, plow equipment, delivery and credit for trade-in of unit #6. 

After discussion, the board approved the purchase of the used machine.

• Accepted the retirement/resignation of Sheriff Steve Och effective January 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PERA requires a board action.

• A subdivision request to establish a seven lot preliminary plat in Leslie Township called Lakeside Acres First Addition was submitted on December 2, 2021. The Preliminary Plat was approved on February 15, 2022 by the Board of Commissioners with the following conditions:

1. Stabilization of gully area between Lots 2 and 3 prior to final platting. Stabilization plan, storm water management plan and construction must be approved by Todd Soil and Water Conservation District.

2. Placement of a permanently protected drainage easement around the gully area between Lots 2 and 3.

3. Dedication of a 140’ cul-de-sac as public road rights of way with construction completed by the developer prior to final platting.

4. Dedication of a 20’ of public drainage easement along the southern boundary of Feather Drive.

5. Developer and future property owners must obtain appropriate permitting when necessary from other governmental agencies including but not limited to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Sauk River Watershed District.

The board approved the final plat.

• Health and Human Services (HHS) employee Cindy Wardien is planning to retire on December 30. She is interested in the Phased Retirement Option (PRO) and the HHS Eligibility Team could use her help part-time in 2023. 

The county will follow the process of the PRO requirements, with board approval.

This is the first time the county has used this policy that’s been in effect for 10 years.

• Approved the designation of Operation Green Light for Veterans the week of November 7-November 11, in recognition and honor of those men and women in uniform transitioning from active service. The county will be using a green light in the upper part of the historic courthouse which can be seen all around. They have done this for many years in an unofficial capacity but are now making it a policy. 

 

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