Emporia, Kans. — During this morning’s county commission meeting, Lyon County commissioners discussed new video equipment for sheriff’s patrol cars, possible changes to the county’s sign regulations and a request for a small aviation field.
Richard Old, Lyon County undersheriff, asked commissioners to encumber up to $93,000 to purchase 15 in-car digital video systems for county patrol cars. The systems will replace VHS systems, which require a large amount of storage. With the digital system, the automobile has a camera and hard drive. The car’s AM-FM radio system is taken out and replaced by a new unit, which contains the digital recording equipment and a new AM-FM radio.
The equipment automatically turns on when an officer turns on the red lights. It also records a one-minute buffer.
When an officers comes off shift, the recorded video is brought back and downloaded and stored on a server.
The purchase was placed on Thursday’s consent agenda.
Steve Samuelson, Lyon County zoning and flood plain manager, told commissioners the Lyon County Planning and Appeals board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of new sign regulations that require all signs in Lyon County roads to meet state sign guidelines.
“I think what the planning board wants to do is de-regulate signs on county roads,” Samuelson said.
Samuelson added that, under current county sign regulations, church signs are regulated as are signs being used to advertise home businesses.
“They (planning board members) don’t think churches should have their bulletin boards regulated, period,” Samuelson said.
Lyon County Commission Chairman Marshall Miller said the issue will be again addressed during Thursday’s action meeting. Commissioners will either vote on the issue or table it.
Samuelson also brought commissioners a zoning application from Ralph and Monica Bond, asking approval for a small landing and take-off strip for a light sport aircraft in the 1200 block of Road 200. The current zoning is agriculture and the application is for agriculture special use, aviation field. The planning board voted 3-2 to recommend approval to the county commission.
Ralph Bond said he is building an airplane and will fly the craft as a hobby.
“It’s a sport,” said Ralph Bond. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do as a hobby.”
The application had one valid protest petition filed from a resident who lives in Colorado and owns property near the proposed air strip. This requires commissioners to have a 75 percent majority vote for approval of the application, which will require a unanimious vote during Thursday’s meeting.