By Dave Baumeister, County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – In a very short meeting on Tuesday, June 30, the Minnehaha County Commissioners agreed to a land transfer between the Lennox and Sioux Falls School Districts.
The agreement had already been approved by both school boards, as the land is right on the edge of the city of Sioux Falls.
Brett Arenz, the in-house council for the Sioux Falls School district, told Minnehaha County Commissioners about a land transfer between the Lennox and Sioux Falls School Districts during the June 30 meeting. (Photo by Dave Baumeister)
While the land is in the Lennox district, it seemed to be felt that Sioux Falls could better service the people in that area when there are more housing developments.
Commissioner Dean Karsky pointed out that the agreement was already passed by the districts, but it came to the county because the Minnehaha Auditor’s office will be responsible for sending out the tax bills.
He also said that it might be confusing for a while, since any students currently living in that area will be enrolled in the Sioux Falls district next fall, but for another year, they will be paying taxes to Lennox.
Although it was added that currently, not many people live in that area.
Brett Arenz, the in-house council for the Sioux Falls School district, said there were public meetings held about the land, and no one was present who objected to the transfer.
Zoning change
A public meeting was set for July 21 to decide a re-zoning issue for Brad Wagner and the Cedar Ridge Planned Development, two miles north of Renner near Highway 115.
When land was originally authorized for the development, owners were only allowed to have a 1,200 square foot accessory building. But since that time, the county changed its rules to allow up to a 2,400 square foot building.
The public hearing later this month would address that.
Also, Cedar Ridge is asking for an additional six residential lots in the planned development. Currently, they are allowed 16 units.
Planning and Zoning Director Scott Anderson told commissioners that at their most recent meeting, that board approved the building expansion, but denied the additional residences.
However, both issues now go before the county commission for approval or denial.
Too many cooks?
Mike Matson of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department received unanimous approval for a change in the current contracts between the jail and Summit Foods.
Matson explained that they now use inmate labor to staff the kitchen, but it was getting harder to find people sentenced to the jail who could be hired.
In general, inmates sentenced to a year or less serve their time at the county facility, but most inmates there are those awaiting trial and are more temporary.
The new agreement hires Summit to work an “inmate-free kitchen.”
Taking a load off…
Commissioners okayed the reduction in the load limit for a bridge 3.5 miles west of Garretson on 253rd Street.
County Highway Superintendent DJ Buthe said that loads needed to be reduced due to structural problems on the bridge.
Recently, a major crack on the east backwall of the bridge abutment was discovered.
Because of that, Buthe recommended load limits be reduced from 29 tons on a single unit and 48 tons on a combination unit down to 18 tons on a single and 30 tons on a combo.
The Minnehaha Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to all, and public comment is always encouraged.
