Montzka is chair of 2013; new daytime meeting scheduled; beaver bounty nixed

The new year always brings a Tuesday organizational meeting where the County Board names its chair (Ben Montzka for 2013), sets committees and handles a host of other actions. There was more debate than usual when it came time to make appointments to the county planning commission. The planning commission has seven members and two serve at-large. There were eight applications submitted for the two expiring at-large posts. The commissioners had concerns that planning commission members seem to have “city” addresses and aren’t representing the “unincorporated areas” under the county planning jurisdiction.

The county commissioners also observed that a lot of planning commission interest was from people who live in Amador and Sunrise townships. The desire was to spread composition of the commission to include residents from other regions of the county. After one motion was withdrawn and there was lengthy discussion about doing appointment individually or en masse-- the action was unanimous to put John Sutcliffe and Tom O’Mara in the at-large posts. Walker first made a motion for Chris DuBose and O’Mara which failed 3-2. Lin Strong was moved out of an at-large seat and now serves for Rick Greene’s district two. This seat was held by Jim Klinke-- who was appointed to the Board of Adjustment instead. Gregg Carlson also was appointed to a Board of Adjustment seat. And, Frank Storm was put in an at-large seat on the Water Plan Team. In other business:

The Board will hold one evening meeting as is the tradition, on the first Wednesday of each month-- but switched the third Wednesday meeting to begin at 3:30 p.m. County Administrator Bruce Messelt explained that this way people who have difficulty attending a night meeting have an opportunity for a day session, and vice versa. The Road & Bridge Committee of the Whole Board is also planning to schedule its sessions for the onset of the afternoon meetings. In naming committee members, Commissioner Mike Robinson asked for a county commissioner to be placed on the park board and it was turned down by consensus. Commissioner McMahon commented staff and the parks department director attend park board meetings and sending a commissioner is extra expense, plus a commissioner wouldn’t have a voting position anyway. The county township officers’ association meeting (last Wednesday of each month) will be a paid committee now-- Robinson and Greene were assigned to attend. Robinson was also okayed to be eligible to get a $50 per diem for his service on a metro water planning group he was appointed to by the governor. The beaver bounty of $30 was eliminated. The Board was advised that nobody has brought any animals in to claim the reward for a couple years now. There was a public hearing scheduled for a new location liquor and Sunday sales license. “The Grumpy Minnow” seeks an on and off sale license in its new building, near Rush Lake. The hearing is January 23 at 5 p.m.