HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 06/26/2008Present:
Junkyard Ordinance Public Meeting
Parkers Prairie City Hall
June 26, 2008 -6:30 p.m.
County staff present at the meeting were Commissioners Everett Erickson, Roger Froemming,
Dennis Mosher, and Syd Nelson; Solid Waste Director, Mike Hanan; County Board Secretary
and the Solid Waste Public Education Officer.
Approximately 55 members of the public were present.
Introduction:
Board Chairman, Syd Nelson, introduced County staff to the public and opened the public
meeting to discuss the proposed Junkyard Ordinance at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the draft Junkyard
Ordinance were provided to the public. Chair Nelson stated that the County is requesting input
for or against the draft Ordinance and requested that comments be 5 minutes or less to give
everyone a chance to state their opinion.
Solid Waste Director, Mike Hanan, stated that the proposed Junkyard Ordinance that was
provided is just a draft. Anything contained in the draft can be changed at this point. He noted
that this is why there are 4 public meetings to obtain comment. If the process moves forward,
the County Board will consider what they have heard and decide if changes to the draft
Ordinance need to be made. He noted that the Commissioners have the option not to adopt an
Ordinance. However, if the County wishes to adopt a Junkyard Ordinance, the process includes
drafting a final Junkyard Ordinance and holding a Public Hearing with notice of intent to adopt
required. Mr. Hanan presented a power point presentation explaining the draft Ordinance in the
following areas: Key Definitions, Reasons why a Junkyard Ordinance is being considered, Who
complains about junk, Environmental and Safety concerns, Pictures of current heaps of junk in
the area, and explanation of M.S. 161.242 and 471.924. Mr. Hanan explained ways the public
can contact him or County Board members and/or submit written comments. He also
mentioned that the draft Ordinance is available on the County Website.
Public Comment:
The following are comments from the public regarding the proposed Junkyard Ordinance:
• Opposed to this type of regulation on private property -individuals pay taxes on the
properties and should not be regulated in the way the draft Junkyard Ordinance is
written.
• This draft Ordinance is a stretch as to what you can or cannot have on your land as far
as this being for the public good.
• Opinions of what is good vary between people. I don't want to live in a park. I enjoy old
vehicles Some of this is our rural heritage.
• If an individual with more than 5 cars doesn't obtain a permit -what will happen?
• Car crusher has to be permitted
• What will the cost of the permit be? (cost is not determined at this time)
• Will the program be paid for by license fees? (Response -No)
• What is junk? Who is going to police this Ordinance? Will the County need to hire
someone? (Response: could be on a complaint basis only)
• This Ordinance is not meant to put anyone out of business. The County is growing and
they are not here to farm; they are here to vacation and build retirement homes. These
people pay a large percentage of the taxes. Baby boomers are retiring and they can
come to Otter Tail County or they can go to a different county.
Public Meeting
June 26, 2008
Page 2
• I have a 500 acre farm with more than 5 car units on site but they cannot be seen.
have about 15 car units, 2 potato diggers, etc. The cars are used during calving season,
which saves a lot of calves. The County is looking better every year with the high price
of metal. Why is this problem coming up now? I would like a vote of the people here for
and against the draft Ordinance.
• Most farmers do not consider themselves Junkyards -they aren't here because they
didn't know about the meeting or they didn't know they would fall under the definition of
junk.
• If the County is so ugly, those pushing for this Ordinance should live somewhere else.
Highway 78 has combines displayed all in a row and it looks awesome and is beautiful.
• Complaint that across from their residence is 24 cars, trailers, refrigerators, etc. This
needs to be regulated Other areas don't have this problem.
• Need to change the category (definition) that makes every farm in the area fall under the
category of a Junkyard.
• These regulations are not written good for farmers -write it so farmers are left alone.
This goes after a lot of people for a few peoples' wrongs.
• People are scared. Douglas County has been strict with junk, but if there is a complaint,
you just need to keep these things out of site. Not being able to have more than 5 units
unless obtaining a permit is too restrictive. In draft Ordinance, it says can't be close by a
wetland, but how far do you have to be? Small acreage could wipe a person out
(Response: proposed Ordinance says within a wetland not near or close.)
• First the Trunk Highways should be cleaned up. We make a living dealing in junk -
dealing in antique cars. Opposed to permit requirement and concerned about water
table. What if I couldn't get a permit?
• There is a need for protections.
• Suggested a Grandfather Clause for existing businesses.
• Scrap is being cleaned up -there are laws that require fair and just compensation to
people for what you take.
• When done with meetings, is the Board voting or do the people vote -the MPCA is
taking care of junkyards. (Response: the State is not taking care of junkyards. Timeline
-probably won't happen before the end of the year. There will not be a vote by the
people.)
• Maybe this should be a garbage yard, not a Junkyard.
• There is pollution in these junkyards.
• Suggestion to separate junk from stuff that can be used, i.e. separate refrigerators from
vehicles.
• A thank you to the County for having these public meetings. There are 400 petitioners
who say -get rid of the junk which grows every year. Visitors come to this beautiful
County and there are major Junkyards. Roadside Salvage has fence for junk cars and
scrap metal -this is a good way.
• The Ordinance is written to prevent recycling use of metal -costs lots of money to buy
new.
• It is important to keep some property rights.
• What about the Dalton Threshing Bee?
• What about the County Sheriffs that are over this Junkyard Ordinance? We use cars for
saving calves. (Response: we are not talking about vehicles that are licensed and run
and are usable.)
• Take out "farm machinery" from the definition of Junk.
Public Meeting
June 26, 2008
Page 3
• I have trusses bought at the Henning City auction and according to this Ordinance, it is
junk.
• There are people who like old cars and people who look at all the docks down the
shoreline and don't like the looks of that either.
• Facilitate getting rid of the junk cars or tires. Talk to people on a case-by-case basis and
ask them to bring this stuff in.
• We use old tires for plants for heat and for tire swings.
• Something has been done because of one of the pictures -the site was cleaned up but
the majority of people are only going to comply if an Ordinance is in place. We need to
fence or haul away.
• Comply with Ordinance by license if need be.
• Suggestion to go out and look at some different sites.
• Page 6 (T}: Concerned with bond language -equipment is needed to make a living and
this is an asset to Otter Tail County.
• Page 4 (E}: Should read within 1,000 ft. of a dwelling other than your own.
• Comment about Todd County and a specific 500 cow dairy farm that was permitted.
• Important to get people to understand why they should come to public meetings.
• 5 units is too low.
Mr. Hanan explained that complaints about junk are getting worse and that about one-half of the
complaints are in reference to junk cars. The Ordinance would be for the health and safety of
residents.
Chairman Nelson called for a show of hands for those in favor of a Junkyard Ordinance and for
those opposed to a Junkyard Ordinance. There were approximately 80% against and 20% in
favor. Mr. Hanan encouraged anyone with questions to contact him. The public meeting
adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Kathy Domholt, Board Secretary