Temporary moratorium on expansion, creation of new livestock facilities adopted
Phillips County commissioners passed a resolution issuing a temporary moratorium on all permits relating to the expansion and creation of new livestock facilities and operations in the county.
The resolution will allow the county sufficient time to hold public hearings, review, study, prepare and adopt amendments to the zoning requirements, if necessary, relating to the allowance of this specific use.
The temporary moratorium began Nov. 9, and will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. May 9, 2021. The six-month period may be shortened or extended if the commissioners find it too long or too brief.
The moratorium does not affect the processing of any application that received approval prior to Nov. 9.
Chairman of the Board of Phillips County Commissioners Terry Hofmeister said the temporary moratorium will allow them to do their due diligence and review the set of zoning resolutions. The commissioners will meet with the planning commission and the board of adjustment throughout the process.
Purchases using COVID relief funds approved
The commissioners approved several purchases using CVRF funds through the Department of Local Affairs ahead of the Dec. 30 deadline. These purchases include:
— Replacing wood picnic tables and folding tables with nonporous plastic.
— Electrostatic sprayers and chemical disinfecting solution.
— Personal protective equipment for businesses, social distancing signs and stickers.
— PPE and cleaning supplies for the county.
— Two metal food preparation tables for the kitchen at Phillips County Event Center.
— HVAC upgrades or replacements.
— Replacing cloth window coverings at the event center with sealed wood.
— Retrofitting the Phillips County Landfill office with a temporary wall and a plexiglass shield over the counter to allow for social distancing between employees and customers.
— A floor scrubber for the event center.
— Business grants for COVID-related losses.
— Hiring additional temporary cleaning staff.
— COVID-related legal fees.
— Supplies for telecommuting capabilities.
— Barriers to allow for social distancing at events.
— Expenses for county employees’ leave due to COVID health precautions.
— Retrofitting of ambulances to assist with combating COVID.
Other business
In other business last month, commissioners:
— Approved the 2021 contract with Platinum Technology for management of IT services for Phillips County for a monthly fee of $4,032.
— Approved the annual contract with Voice Products Service for the recording system at Phillips County Communication Center at the yearly cost of $4,397.
— Approved the 2021 contract with Kelley Law Ltd. for a quarterly retainer of $4,200 for up to 24 hours of legal service billed at 90% of the standard rates.
— Approved the purchase of an Alkota hot water pressure washer with hose reel, 100 feet of hose, dual wand, downstream injector, three spray tips and 5 gallons of soap from Rocky Mountain Cleaning Systems for $4,995.
— Approved the renewal of the farm ground lease at Phillips County Landfill with Duane Harms for 2021. The lease is for 57 acres for an annual lease of $1,995.
— Met with Aaron Tilden, representative of Willdan Engineering. The commissioners requested that Tilden return to Phillips County after the first of the year to conduct a walk-through of county buildings and provide suggestions regarding potential needs and savings.
— Approved a request from Star 92.3 to include alcohol tasting at the Farm and Home Show event scheduled Feb. 6, 2021, with the condition that a special events permit is obtained from the City of Holyoke, the required liquor liability insurance is acquired and the additional alcohol deposit is paid.