HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 07/09/2008Junkyard Ordinance Public Meeting
Otter Tail County Office Building, New York Mills, MN
July 9, 2008 6:30 p.m.
The Public Meeting to discuss a proposed Junkyard Ordinance was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Attending
were the five County Commissioners, Solid Waste Director, and County Coordinator. Mike Hanan, Solid
Waste Director, opened the meeting and gave the background of the issue stating that complaints have
been received and a citizens group has petitioned for an ordinance restricting the collection of un-
regulated junk. Copies of a draft ordinance were made available. The following comments, statements
and questions were received:
• Why does the draft ordinance exempt items in a building?
• Does the ordinance apply if items cannot be seen from a roadway?
• Licensed vehicles and operable machinery are exempt.
• Licensing fees? What's with this?
• Why is the landfill not fenced?
• Bonds required?
• This is ridiculous-no action should be taken until our troops come home.
• What about asphalt that is crushed?
• This will be dillicult for small businesses-some places arc eyesores.
• 40 years ago the lakes were beautiful, now I can't sec the lake and way too many chemicals are
being used on lake lots.
• We use our stulT for parts and help neighbors and make sales.
• Small land owners are dictating to larger owners.
• What is the Visual Chaos committee? Were petition signers residents?
• I have a problem with the lake people-much pollution is caused after a storm.
• People want everyone to re-use, recycle and this ordinance will prevent that from happening.
People pushing this are non residents.
• How big a problem is this? How many complaints are there?
• What good does it do to have a bunch of cars in the yard9
• I have tractors that have not been run in two years but they will.
• Petitions are circulating.
• We need a junky yard ordinance, not a junkyard ordinance.
• This will cost too much, we are cleaning things up.
• Should keep the scrap rather than sending it to China.
• I'm a contractor and this will put me out of business.
• We should be able to do what we ant.
• We want this ordinance to be forgotten.
• We are at fault; we are responsible for electing the County Attorney that advises the elected
board.
• I have copies of the oaths of office to uphold the constitution.
• Will the ordinance infringe upon individual rights?
• I have the definition of malfeasance of oflicc for the County Attorney.
• Change the name from junkyard to nuisance. Town Boards should buckle down and take care of
their neighbors.
• Permitted hours of operation \von't work for businesses.
• Definition of junk is an individual opinion.
• My taxes have gone through the roof, rates have not changed but valuations have gone crazy.
• We were cleaning up the farm and were turned away at the landfill.
• The cost of the required bonds will be excessive.