Supervisors Say They Need Advice From Attorney
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors debated their authority to have a single member of the board sign the By-Laws of Mahaska County 911 and Mahaska County Emergency Management to which they are a party.
Mahaska County Supervisors Mark Groenendyk, who is the county representative on the boards, said he was concerned that he didn’t have the authority to sign the by-laws for the entities without first discussing the matter with the other supervisors.
Groenendyk said he had concerns about each entities by-laws, such as voting membership for the Mahaska County E911 Board.
“I think it needs to go to our attorneys,” said Groenendyk to the rest of the board. “We’ve got two different 28E’s saying two different things and we’re part of one 28E and not a part of a second, so which one are we supposed to be agreeing with?”
Mahaska County Supervisor Steve Wanders said he believes “we need to get them where they need to be before we sign them. The only way we’re going to do that is through our lawyers.”
Groenendyk said the “code requires all political subdivisions to sign the by-laws.”
Groenendyk believes that some issues need further definition before the by-laws are signed.
The signing of the by-laws was tabled until the Supervisors have advice from their attorneys.
Dave Sedivec, Director of Mahaska County Conservation, gave an update to the supervisors. The first topic of discussion was the new Environmental Learning Center which is behind the projected opening date.
Concrete has now been poured from the parking area to the highway at the new facility. Sedivec thanked the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in helping to direct traffic during that pour.
Mahaska County Secondary Roads helped to supply signage for the brief detour, helping to save hundreds of dollars. “It’s nice when people work together, it helps everybody out,” added Sedivec.
Sedivec said that he’s been going through the new building, working with the architects to finish up any deficiencies that remain before the building is turned over to Mahaska County Conservation.
“It’s getting closer,” said Sedivec of the new environmental learning center.
The office at Russell Wildlife is now closed to tours as the move to the new environmental learning center is underway. The office is still open to those with questions or needing other information.
Sedivec said that the Halloween Bash at Eveland Access was “a huge success again. I think it’s probably the best one we’ve had yet.”
Eveland Access closed for the season on October 31st and looks to be a record year for revenue.
Also discussed was board member Ross Nilson, who asked not to be reappointed to the Mahaska County Conservation Board. “I want to thank Ross for his time on the board. He’s been a valuable asset.”
Sedivec said that the board is looking for individuals who live within Mahaska County and have to show a demonstrated interest in conservation and natural resources.
Conservation Board meetings are the first Thursday of the month.
The Mahaska County Conservation is also dealing with an abandoned camper at the Robertson Access north of New Sharon. They are working through legal channels to have the camper removed.
The Supervisors approved the Northwest Urban Renewal Area filing for the fiscal year 2018 as required by the State of Iowa.
Shawn Langkamp was reappointed to the Mahaska County Public Health Board.
The Supervisors appointed Kathryn Goodman to the Mahaska County Solid Waste Commission. Allen DeBruin, Peggy Wright, and Mark Groenendyk were also appointed to the commission.
Ben Hoskinson, Mahaska County Weed Commissioner, was looking for a signature on the annual weed report.
Approved the sale of cigarettes at the Oskaloosa Motel north of Oskaloosa. (formerly Red Carpet Inn).
Amber Davis was removed from the payroll of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office.
