Road conditions and vegetation growing in the county’s rights-of-way again were the topics of discussion at the Seward County Commissioners’ meeting on Aug. 18.
Brett Baker contacted the county about roadside vegetation that was not compliant with county regulations for weed control. The area they were discussing has an interlocal agreement with the city of Seward, but City Administrator Greg Butcher attended the meeting and clarified that the city-county agreement is for roadway surface maintenance, not enforcement of county ordinances.
Highway Superintendent Jon Regnier will inspect the property and send a letter that gives property owners 30 days to rectify the situation if it is appropriate.
Malynn Codr was also present to ask about vegetation in the rights-of-way in another area of the county.
Doug Yoder appeared during the public comment period to discuss road conditions, especially unmaintained roads in a precinct where the roads department was short staffed and one road had not been serviced since October.
Commissioners encouraged county residents to contact the roads department to report specific problems.
In other action, the commissioners:
• Asked Deputy County Attorney Barbara Armstead to research options for next steps with county residents who do not comply with zoning regulations after hearing follow-up reports from Zoning Administrator Marissa Pfile regarding two county properties.
• Directed Regnier to obtain three bids for the purchase or lease of a mini excavator after discussing a potential one-year lease for CAT mini excavator.
• Discussed a recent test application of Perma-Zyme on 420th Road, which is to help maintain gravel on the roadway.
• Directed Regnier to work with Armstead on rights-of-way considerations for an area where the property owner has indicated property is being established with native prairie grass.
