Council Action Requested:
To clean up the current Code of Ordinances to properly reflect the services being offered by the County to the four municipalities and to properly reflect the composition of the Planning Commission in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreements between the County and Towns of Heath Springs and Kershaw.
UPDATE SINCE 1ST READING: Staff has drafted an amendment to Article II, Section 25-21, paragraph (b) , as requested by Council to clarify the Planning Commission membership and responsibility for representation. The new paragraph proposed is as follows, with edits highlighted:
The planning commission shall have seven (7) members appointed by the county council. One (1) member must be appointed from each of the seven (7) county council districts, upon recommendation of the council member elected from that district. The member must reside in the district for which the member is appointed. In the appointment of planning commission members, the council shall consider their professional expertise, knowledge of the community, and concern for the future welfare of the total community and its citizens. Members shall represent a broad cross section of the interests and concerns within the county, and per agreements made between Lancaster County and the Towns of Heath Springs and Kershaw via Ordinances 2023-1883 and 2023-1884, the member who represents District 6 shall also represent the incorporated areas of the towns of Heath Springs and Kershaw.
Points to Consider:
The current Code of Ordinances does not reflect the proper number of municipalities which are now incorporated and needs to be corrected. In addition, a number of services being provided by the County are either not codified or need to be removed as they are no longer being provided. This ordinance will update the Code and clarify the services being provided to the municipalities.
The ordinance will also clarify the composition of the Planning Commission in accordance with the request by the Towns of Heath Springs and Kershaw for the County to provide planning services within the municipal limits.
Funding and Liability Factors:
These changes may require additional staff in the future to provide the planning, building and code enforcement services desired for the growing county.
Recommendation:
Adopt the Ordinance.