Lyon County commissioners on Thursday authorized the filing of an appeal with FEMA for a grant aimed at relocating Fanestil Meats out of a flood plain.
The issue was moved to the forefront when FEMA not only denied an extension on the grant, but canceled the grant altogether. The news was discussed during last week’s Lyon County Commission action session.
The original contract with FEMA was for $1.6 million to help owners Dan and Jan Smoots relocate and get out of the flood plain. FEMA required the money to be issued through the county. The requirements were to turn the area the plant stands on, which is near the Cottonwood River, back to green space by late August 2011.
During last week’s commission meeting, Fanestil owner Dan Smoots encouraged commissioners to start the appeal process as soon as possible.
“I’ve already moved on to the point of believing the that appeal process if the next logical step,” he said last week. “I’ve been in touch with Sen. Moran’s office and their office is 100 percent in support and have started working with us to help the appeal process go through. I think it’s very, very important that we move as quickly as possible.”
On Thursday, commissioners took action on the issue, voting unanimously to file an appeal. Commission Vice-Chairman Rollie Martin said there’s been much discussion on what the county should do about whether they should or shouldn’t file the appeal.
“There’s been a lot of misinformation out there,” Martin said. “The one thing I’m in favor of is going ahead and instructing our staff to file and appeal with the grant with FEMA.”
Lyon County Commission Chairman Scott Briggs agreed.
“I’d be in agreement with you,” Briggs said. “I think the appeal may give parties some time to come together and make a decision so we can move forward.”
Lyon County Counselor Marc Goodman said after intensive discussion, he recommended preparing and filing the appeal.
“We still have 45 days remaining,” Goodman said. “That is for the county to appeal to applicant state of Kansas. I will stress that recommendations can come from third parties, the appeal proper is county’s, no one else’s. If you elect within that remaining 45 days to not file it or withdraw filing it, that also remains within your authority to do so.”
Commissioner Teresa Walters said the county’s concern is to make the situation a win-win situation.
“This again by agreeing to file an appeal is a good faith effort on the county to make this project work the way the grant was intended,” Walters said.
Walters also talked about the perception that the county was at first dragging their feet on the grant. Briggs also talked about the subject.
“In many meetings with Mr. Smoots not understanding why we weren’t applying for the grant quickly, we very cautions in the fact that we wanted to make to make the right decision for the 70 employees that he has,” Briggs said. “I think that’s still our intent. In light of the path this project is taking, I think people can see why we were cautious and the reason we are still cautious.”
Martin said the county has been acting in good faith and $800,000 has already been distributed through the grant already.
“This appeal will get us time for everyone involved to make concrete commitments to the grant and to Fanestil Meats LLC,” Martin said.
After discussion, the commission voted on the issue. Martin made the motion to approve the filing of the extension. Walters seconded the motion. It passed 3-0.
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
This has got to be the 'why bother' question of the day. If I was the federal government and we've had a jillion tornados I wouldn't give this to Fanestil. Would you?
July 15, 2011 at 10:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Let Smoots flip the bill. He bought that company knowing it floods. He is making money off of it. And wait till he moves it to the drive-in corner. the first time the wind blows that SMELL over our NW corner of town. It will be just like IBP was. It's bad enough with the old dog food smell now. Double it up !
July 16, 2011 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/
July 16, 2011 at 11:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
owenrhys (anonymous) says...
Return of the E-Stench, tourguide?
July 17, 2011 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
There is more in this town that STINKS other than just packing plants. The smell of DEATH is more than animals, it's a town that is almost DEAD..
July 17, 2011 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )