Phillips appointed to County Planning and Zoning Commission

John Phillips has been appointed to the Cheyenne County Planning and Zoning Commission. Cheyenne County Commissioners approved the appointment at a meeting on Monday morning.

His term is for three years and he becomes the eighth member on the commission. Colleen Terman, the county planning and zoning administrator, said up to nine people could be on the board at any given time.

Phillips currently also sits on the City of Sidney Planning Commission – in his third term – where he serves as the vice chairman.

Commissioners Darrell Johnson and Philip Sanders said county residents concerned about Philips being a member on both the city and county boards had contacted them.

Terman responded she thought his dual positions could help open communication between the two jurisdictions.

“The city is located within the county area,” she said. “There’s not a lot of communication between the city and county, I believe, so that’d help.”

Johnson asked if there were any foreseeable conflicts of interest.

“I don’t believe so,” she replied.

Terman added it’s difficult to find residents to serve on the commission, but said the decision was ultimately up to the commissioners.

Phillips said he did not anticipate any conflicts.

“I don’t know when a conflict would ever arise between the city and county,” he said.

Johnson made a motion to approve the appointment, which was seconded by commissioner Steven Olson.

In a roll call vote, the motion unanimously passed.

Also at the meeting:

• A motion to approve a Keno outlet at Harvey’s Inn in Sidney passed. John Fahey, Cheyenne County Keno operator, told the commissioners a new owner took possession of the establishment in the past week.

The new owner wishes to introduce Keno to the bar, he added.

“Did they have Keno before?” Johnson asked.

Fahey replied no, but said he didn’t see any problem bringing it in.

Olson made a motion to allow Harvey’s to operate as a Keno outlet, and it was unanimously approved.

• Four agriculture areas in Cheyenne County were approved, 3-0, to be rezoned as residential estates. The applications included the creation of subdivisions on the parcels of land.

Terman said everything was in order and she had no concerns.

Olson asked what motivated the requests, made on behalf of three individuals.

Terman explained the changes are sometimes requested for financial purposes because it’s what the property owner’s lending institution asks.

• Commissioners voted to reconsider letting bids for repair work on a three-mile section of County Road 8. At a meeting earlier this month, a motion was passed to begin preliminary engineering for the project. However, on Monday, Sanders said there are better options that will cost less.

“I’ll make a motion to reconsider letting bids simply because it’s been brought to our attention we can do it for significantly less money,” he said.

Cheyenne County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh said a bid period had not yet opened.

“From what we decided two weeks ago and where we are now, I don’t think we have a choice,” Sanders added.

The motion passed 3-0.

After the meeting, Sanders said the road would still be fixed, but through a different process than initially proposed.

• An agreement with Dawson County to hold Cheyenne County inmates passed. Due to space and resource limitations at the Cheyenne County Jail, inmates are routinely housed in out-of-county facilities.

Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson said Dawson County charges $45 dollars a day per inmate – nearly half of what other counties charge – and it also helps with transportation.

• The next Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1 at 8 a.m. in the Cheyenne County Court House.