Costs of cleaning up illegal dump sites continue to go up in Lyon County, commissioners learned this morning during their study session.
Chip Woods, Lyon County engineer, gave Lyon County commissioners a summary of the costs associated with illegal dumping and sign vandalism in the county. Illegal dumping clean-up costs are nearly double what it was last year, according to a document provided by Woods. In 2006, the cost was $24,245.66. In 2007, that number jumped to $42,872.87. Sign vandalism costs are down a bit from 2006. In 2006, the cost was $46,891.72. In 2007, the number declined to $43,702.42. From 1996 to 2007, sign vandalism has cost the county $362,017.12. Illegal dumping has cost the county a total of $160,546.26.
In other business, commissioners briefly discussed complaints Woods have received regarding the bridge closure on Road L otherwise known as Allen Road. The bridge is being replaced and the road will be closed for approximately 65 calendar days.
“It is not a long duration as far as closing a bridge,” Woods said.
Woods said a number of area residents want a detour posted, lower speed limits on surrounding county roads and dust control. One of those residents is Steve Gehring, who lives in the 2900 block of Road L. Gehring said he was told the county wouldn’t lower speed limits. Gehring, who spoke in an interview at the Gazette earlier this week, is concerned about traffic and weight limits on the surrounding gravel roads.
“We got people going 60 miles per hour on the gravel roads,” he said, adding that school buses also travel the area. “To me semis and school buses don’t work well.”
This morning Woods said the dust control requests and lower speed limits is an impact of the Westar peaking power plant that is being built outside Emporia. Speed limits were posted near the plant, which is nearing its first phase completion.
“I’ve heard several people mention that,” Woods said.
Later in the meeting, Gehring came in to talk to commissioners. He asked commissioners to put up a detour sign, stating that it’s only a 10 mile difference to route traffic out of the area. He added that, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation, about 800 cars go by his house a day. Commissioner Marshall Miller commented on the detour.
“I think if you put detour signs up it’s not going to change anything,” he said. “They’re going to take the shortest route.”
Commissioners agreed to again address the issue during Thursday’s action session, where they will talk to Woods about the signs in the area.
“We can ask the engineer to check the signage and make sure it’s proper or ask the contractor to put up extra signage,” Miller said. “We’ll address this again.”
Miller added that the county doesn’t generally post detour signs on county projects such as the bridge replacement on Road L. If the project was a state project the state would be required to post signs.
Other items on today’s agenda:
F Kevin Hanlin, of the zoning department in Emporia, reviewed an application by Rural Water District No. 2 for a conditional use permit to allow a public utility in a agricultural district. The water district is asking for approval to install a booster pump at Roads 592 and 180.
F Woods brought the following items: the low bid of KansasLand Tire Co. for 16 truck tires for a total of $4,539; discuss the low bid of Welborn Sales Inc. for the 2008 corrugated metal pipe culverts for $63,263.50; the low bid of National Sign Co. for signs and faces for $14,179.30; discussed Woods attending the 2008 Kansas County Highway Association Spring Conference in May; review recycle trailer tally for March; review comparison of 2007 and 2008 expenses; review vandalism reports.
F Commissioners talked about purchasing new chairs for the meeting room in the Lyon County Annex (former Lyon County Courthouse).
F Mark McKenna, of Lyon County Facilities Management, discussed a leak in the roof of the Lyon County Courthouse. He said the only way to find the leak is to cut into the roof.
“It’s so hit and miss,” McKenna said. “We think it’s coming off the roof decking.”
McKenna said he will check with the roof warranty company to make sure it doesn’t void the warranty on the roof.
“It’s not going to fix itself,” Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said. “I’d make sure we go forward with that.”
Commissioners will meet again this week for an action session at 8 a.m. Thursday in the Lyon County Commission chambers of the Lyon County Courthouse.
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
I have a suggestion for possible deterrence of illegal dumping and vandalism.
How about a progressive fine system? It could work kind of like progressive lottery - you know, how if nobody wins then the jackpot keeps getting bigger and bigger. Here's how it would work:
The county keeps track of how much it costs to cleanup the messes left by these moronic pigs. If you get caught dumping or vandalizing - you're the winner! You get to pay not only to clean up your mess, but the previous messes.
Oh by the way, on a related subject - does anyone know how to get paint ball paint off of a sign?
April 9, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
Paintball will usually just wash off in a heavy rain.
April 9, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Funny how the total for cleanup almost doubled when they halved the # of free landfill dumps. Hmmm. They used to have a spring and fall free dump session but reduced it to once a year. I live in the county and get so tired of jerks tossing trash out their car windows. We have to patrol the yard and ditch before we mow. If everyone would have a little consideration and clean their car out when they get home the world would be a much nicer place. We've had sofas, wheels and assorted food trash in our ditches. Plus lots of liquor bottles which make you feel safe driving the road with possibly drunken litterbugs.
April 10, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
emporian- There's been paint ball paint on a sign at the fairgrounds for over a year.
Do you suppose if maybe I got out there with a sponge and some soap, it would just come off with a little elbow grease? I haven't tried that yet, but rain alone hasn't done it yet either...
KStreb - yeah, yeah... First Micky Ds, then cigarette butts... Where would we draw the line? But you got my point, yeah? I knew it wouldn't work in a practical sense, but the concept is kinda cool.
I know no-one wants to pay more in taxes, but I'd rather my taxes go to keeping the landfill open more hours, and haing more free landfill days, than on county employees having to go out and cleanup the illegal junk.
I wish I really did have the answer. Madpoet and all those good folks out in the county shouldn't have to deal with other people's crap.
April 10, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wirewatt (Ken Bazil) says...
I believe we have fines in place for dumping trash. I get tired of picking trash up around the place. I have decided when I see someone throwing trash out of the window, a tag number will be called to the sheriff's office. When we burn the pasture's you would not believe the trash that is laying in the ditches and in the fence lines. The alum. beer cans are lying everywhere, what a waste, they can be recycled. People whom throw this the trash out don't care about other people's property.
April 11, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )