Posted: 11/22/05
County board discusses jail plans with city
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Representatives of Houston Countyís jail committee attended the city council meeting of November 14 to discuss plans for the new law enforcement center which is now in the planning stages.
Commissioner Ann Thompson, who represents the city of Caledonia, jail administrator Mark Schiltz and Sheriff Darryl Peterson approached the city with several versions of the proposed center, emphasizing that the county is still a long way from finalizing any plan.
The latest plans call for the building to be constructed next to the existing courthouse. The law enforcement center would include a jail with 42 cells (expandable to 80 beds), court administration offices and courtroom. After discussions with department heads on what would be the maximum amount of space they would need, the architects are currently estimating that the center would be 71,000 square feet. However, Thompson noted, that is an optimum number and will likely be reduced in the final plans.
Cost estimates will not be known until the final size is determined.
Councilman Paul Fisch told the group that the city has several concerns, including parking, the width of South Street, and city services. Mayor Michael Morey added that it is hard to comment on the project without concrete plans.
A question was raised over whether the veteranís memorial would have to be moved. Commissioner Thompson said that the architects would prefer to keep the memorial where it is and maintain the historically-significant entrance to the courthouse.
In response to a question of whether there will be a large increase in staff for the the law enforcement center, Schiltz told the council that the number of jailers will only have to increase by one to meet state regulations of one jailer per 40 inmates.
Commissioner Thompson said that whatever the county decides, it will not take concerns of the city or public lightly. The goal is to plan for 30 years in the future, she added.
In other news, the council learned that the property between the Caledonia liquor store and China Buffet restaurant is for sale by owner Tony Denstad, who has asked the city if it is interested in purchasing the property. The council agreed to find out the price before considering the purchase.
In other news, the city approved a quote from Tostrud and Temp for up to $19,000 to audit the cityís finances.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com