Posted: 4/11/06
Houston County engineer resigns
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston County engineer Tracey Von Bargen announced his resignation at the April 4 county board meeting.
Von Bargen, 40, read from a letter that it was for personal reasons.
His contract expires on April 30, but he will work until May 5, and perhaps beyond that as an interim engineer until a replacement can be found.
Three commissioners praised the job that Von Bargen had done in his 6-1/2 months on the job. Ann Thompson said he had been a good communicator. Kevin Kelleher said Von Bargenís performance will help in the long term in making the highway department more efficient.
Personnel director Tim Comstock recommended that commissioners look at the highway department hierarchy. He said that the assistant engineer position has been vacant for many years. It might be time to reconsider staffing it, Comstock said, so that positions underneath the assistant would report to him or her.
Board members agreed to look at that option. Tom Bjerke and Dave Corcoran will represent the board on the project.
The board accepted Von Bargenís resignation and passed a motion to advertise for a replacement.
ď Nurse resigns: The board also approved the resignation of Connie Lueck as public health nurse effective April 29. Kelleher said the workload of the public health department had doubled almost overnight due to Minnesota Senior Health Options requirements. It is heavily impacting the department, he said.
ď Security/safety officer approved: The board also approved advertising for a security/safety officer/emergency manager position.
The person would be a licensed peace officer who would perform courtroom security for about 20 hours a week or as needed. The rest of the duties would be with emergency management and safety. Rob Gross, who had done that work in the past, will now work full time as veterans service officer. Comstock said he would advertise internally within the sheriff's department to fill the new position.
Thompson said the board had been discussing the need for a courtroom security officer for two years. ěThis kind of actually fills two roles,î she said, adding that Grossís veterans service needs were not getting smaller
Sheriff Darryl Peterson said the job description of the new position is ambitious and complex, and would require assistance and delegation of some tasks.
Semcac Presentation
In other business, the board heard reports from Pilar Rick and Wayne Stenberg of Semcac in Rushford.
Rick, who works in community development for Americorps Vista, went over a housing survey that Semcac compiled. She said that 82 percent of the respondents wanted more affordable starter homes. Rehabilitation and weatherization were listed as the most important housing needs, she said.
Stenberg, Semcacís community housing director, said that Semcac is purchasing two lots each at $12,500. These are located in the Four Season Acres development, which also has 15 Tax Increment Financing lots. If the properties go as planned and are purchased quickly. Semcac will be purchasing at least one more from J.C. Nerstad., Stenberg told The Argus.
In 2005, Semcac weatherized 32 homes in Houston County out of 283 total homes weatherized. The average cost per home was $3,375.
Energy assistance averaged $459, with 552 households in Houston County receiving energy assistance in 2005.
For more information on Semcac programs, call 507-864-7741.
CJC items
The consent agenda included a letter that will be sent to 11 companies soliciting quotes in connection with bonding for the criminal justice center (CJC) project. A committee consisting of Thompson, Kelleher, Comstock, and auditor Pete Johnson will review the responses and bring recommendations to the full board.
The board also approved meeting dates for CJC open houses, all starting at 7 p.m. They are:
April 18, La Crescent Community Center;
April 20, Brownsville Community Center;
April 25, Houston Community Center;
April 27, Eitzen Community Center;
May 2, Caledonia Middle/High School;
May 4, Hokah Fire Hall;
May 9, Spring Grove Fest Building.
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