Supervisors discuss flooding, subdivision

Jefferson County Engineer Scott Cline informed the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the recently purchased pickup truck is being outfitted with a flat bed and new lights.

Also on non-rainy days, dust control providers are applying their product for their clients in the county. On a daily basis, the county engineer's office is putting up road closed signs and barricades due to the standing water or flooding situations where roadways are affected.

In particular, this week the Cedar Creek is over at 256th Street and the Skunk River is over at Yarrow and 160th Street. Cline said the public should not try to drive across low waters because of the unstable saturated ground and to be aware that the high waters occur quickly. He encourages drivers to be prepared to take an alternate safe route if they find such situations that are as yet unmarked.

Septic systems

Cline was asked if the county could make an exception in the ordinance governing the split of a lot just under 2 acres of nine-tenths of an acre each. He said in the past the old septic services needed one full acre, but the new peat moss systems require less. Supervisor Lee Dimmitt said before deciding he would like the board to have a conversation with county sanitarian Dan Miller regarding all septic systems, how the new systems do or do not fit the letter of the law of sanitary systems and to understand their mechanical parts so that when the board would grant a variance, it was taking the appropriate steps. Supervisor Dee Sandquist agreed the board should be updated regarding all the issues for everyone making such decisions in the future.

Sales tax

On June 30, the Local Option Sales and Services Tax ordinance was scheduled to sunset, but a majority of voters last fall approved it for another 10 years (unless public petition would ask for a change sooner). Eighty percent is used for property tax relief and twenty percent for bridge and culvert works. On Tuesday the board held a public hearing before approving the resolution.

Walnut Creek Homeowner's Association

On May 20, the board met with Jason Hull of French-Reneker-Associates who had completed the preliminary boundaries survey for acting representative Mark Cutter of Walnut Creek Homeowner's Association. Due to state law changes in 2004 and upon recommendation from county engineer, auditor, recorder and assessor, the original name Walnut Lakes Minor Subdivision established 20 years ago will only be used for historical records to date.

Work was done to clean up the ambiguous property boundary definitions of the original phases 1 and 2 for the subdivision and now the deeds definitions and uniquely named plat lots held by the current homeowners are much clearer for all concerned. Also the term 'resubdivision” was used by the county engineer to facilitate the conversation because through the years more than one homeowner had purchased an adjoining lot from association members who had sold properties. With last week's foundational work behind them, board members were able to quickly consider and approve Tuesday the resolution for the addition and resubdivision of the Walnut Creek Homeowner's Association Subdivision, the new name to be used going forward.

Liquor license, new hire

In other business on Tuesday, the board adopted the resolution of completion with Dakota Access Pipeline. Landowners and the county will still report when any settling occurs to the pipeline for maintenance repair. The board approved a liquor license for Backpocket Brewing of Coralville which will be operating July 25.

The board approved the hiring of Mary Pohren as a county seasonal employee for the conservation department. John and Mary Pohren have been Mac Coon Access campground caretakers for a number of years. Presently, in this area north of Lockridge, the high-running Skunk River is affecting the use of this particular park so the public may contact 641-472-4421 for the updated conditions before venturing there for summer activities.