CFO and flood meetings set

More action is coming on confined feeding regulations and flood mitigation, Jay County Commissioners learned Monday.
At the beginning of their meeting, commissioners were handed revised copies of the proposed zoning changes for confined feeding operations in Jay County that included the amended language commissioners added at their June 6 meeting.
At that meeting, commissioners voted 2-1 to send the proposed regulations back to Jay County Plan Commission, amending language dealing with proposed setback lengths, the definition of satellite storage structures and facilities, and the language for application and permits.
The planning commission will meet at 7 p.m. July 21 in the Jay Courthouse auditorium to discuss the changes.
Commissioners also briefly heard from Mark Chmeliwskyj of Butler, Fairman and Seufert. He told commissioners the firm will be able to present its flood study findings at their meeting on July 18.
In February, commissioners hired the engineering firm to study the flooding issues as they relate to Millers Branch and to help develop a comprehensive drainage plan. The presentation date matches the proposed timetable Chmeliwskyj laid out at the Portland Storm Water Management Update forum on May 24.
Meanwhile, commissioners heard from Ray and Ramona Imel, 8950 S. 700 East, about problems they’ve been having with semis driving through their yard on county road 700 East, near county road 800 South.
“It’s these pig haulers and everyone else that isn’t my neighbors,” Ramona Imel said of the trucks, indicating that they are coming and going from a nearby farm.
She told commissioners that one truck driver told her he’d continue driving through her yard until “no truck thru” signs were posted.
She added that other neighbors are having problems, especially near county road 900 South
“It’s not just me. It’s everyone that’s down there,” she said.
Her husband added that he’s concerned about someone getting hurt as result of the trucks coming through the yard.
Commissioner Faron Parr suggested that the county look into posting “no truck-thru” signs on the road. County engineer Dan Watson said he’d take a look at the problem.
In other business, commissioners:
•Learned from Megan Velasquez of LifeStream Services that 29,586 trips were provided to Jay County residents in 2015.
•Heard a request from Jason Schmiesing for a four-way stop at county roads 300 East and 700 South. Schmiesing operates an engine repair shop near the intersection, which is currently a two-way stop.
•Were given a presentation from Dean Sanders, executive director of Jay County Chamber of Commerce, on the chamber’s 2015 statistics and 2016 events. Sanders noted the group had 294 members and a 94 percent retention rate in fiscal 2015.
•Heard from building and planning director John Hemmelgarn that a spot needs to be filled on the Jay/Portland Board of Zoning Appeals. He said the new member has to be one of the current citizen members of the planning commission.