By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County is moving forward with an attempt to clean up one property in Pfeifer and possibly two more in Munjor after concerns were presented to the Ellis County Commission.

Earlier this year, a resident approached the commission with a list of properties in Munjor they believed need cleaned up.

At Monday night’s county commission meeting, a large group of Pfeifer residents showed to voice their concerns with one particular property in Pfeifer.

County Health Administrator Butch Schlyer toured both communities and looked at the properties in question.

However, because of a 2012 state Supreme Court ruling, counties cannot under Kansas law clean up properties and assess the cost to the landowner.

County Counselor Bill Jeter said the county will have to a pursue criminal nuisance charge.

According to County Attorney Tom Drees, for the county to pursue a criminal nuisance charge, “it has to be a health hazard.”

“It cannot just be for unsightly, it has to be to a health hazard,” he added. “If it’s a breeding ground for rats or skunks, or civet cats. If it is a direct fire hazard, then we can address that by charging them criminally.”

Drees said they have had success in the past with judges ordering the property to clean up the property, although he said the county has not had to do that since the 2012 ruling.

Schlyer said the property in question is more likely a fire hazard due to the overgrown weeds.

County Commission Dean Haselhorst said is fire started on the property it could be two or three more in danger.

The commission agreed to give the property owner 20 days to abate the property. If the hazards are not removed, it will then be turned over to the county attorney’s office where a criminal nuisance charge could follow.

Schlyer said there were one or two more properties in Munjor that pose a fire hazard, as well.

The commission instructed him to start abate on those properties.