Posted: 5/2/06
Court-appointed attorney work to be let out on bids
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The county has decided to solicit requests for proposals for cases that require a court-appointed attorney.
Court administrator Darlene Kuhlers made the request at the April 25 meeting of the county board.
Currently, the cases are assigned on a rotating basis. Kuhlers said that it is often difficult to obtain attorneys, who are paid $75 per hour. That figure is lower than the rate charged to private clients, she noted.
If the court-appointed cases are awarded to one firm or attorney by bid, then that attorney will get all the cases that require a court-appointed attorney. If there is a conflict of interest, then that attorney will have to find and pay a substitute.
In 2005, the county spent a total of $42,000 on court-appointed attorneys for about 50 cases. In 2004, the figure was $17,000. The total in 2003 was $14,500. Several unusually expensive cases affected the total for 2005, but even without those cases there still would have been a large increase over 2004, Kuhlers later told The Argus. There are currently nine attorneys on a list of attorneys who will take the countyís cases.
Kuhlers told the board that if the bids are too high, the board can reject the bids and her office can continue with the present process.
Engineer reports to board
Tracey Von Bargen, county engineer, asked the board to approve hiring the firm of Yaggy Colby to assist in right of way acquisition for the federal bridge project in La Crescent. The firm is already involved in the project and it would be logical to have them assist in this manner, said Von Bargen.
The board approved the hiring of Yaggy Colby at a cost of up to $24,000 to assist in right of way acquisition.
The project includes obtaining temporary construction easements from about 20 property owners. The easements will be necessary from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 6 from Elm Street to Walnut Street. This is part of the larger project which will involve the reconstruction of State Highway 16 and CSAH 6.
The county also agreed to allow Tim Comstock and the highway committee to negotiate with the firm of Widseth, Smith and Nolting to obtain Van Bargenís services as interim engineer. Von Bargen, who resigned from the county last month after 6-1/2 months on the job. His last day of work as a county employee will be May 5.
ěI donít want to leave you high and dry,î Von Bargen told the board. He said there are many plans in the works that he would like to follow through on. He said he would like to work about three days a week during May.
The board agreed by consensus to proceed with the negotiations.
In a related matter, the board also agreed to advertise for an assistant county engineer as well as a county engineer.
ěWe learned our lesson that you donít just plop someone in there,î said board chair Kevin Kelleher.
Von Bargen said that a head engineer will be involved in matters related to funding and policy, and an assistant engineer will supervise projects and staff on a day to day basis. The cost of an assistant engineer can be covered with state aid funds so the county would not have to increase its levy to pay for the position, Von Bargen pointed out.
The county agreed to advertise for both positions.
Commissioner David Corcoran complimented Von Bargen on his work with the county.
ěThe townships liked your approach,î Corcoran said. When the township officers are given good information, they are able to make good decisions, he added.
Commissioner Kelleher noted that competition for engineers will be tough. There are currently at least three other counties looking for engineers, he said, adding that having an assistant engineer may help the county attract candidates.
County to look at renting space
Beth Wilms, social services director, provided commissioners with a cost proposal for housing two employees at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center. Her proposal included monthly rent of $972 for both employees. The commissioners agreed to consider her proposal.
Criminal Justice Center discussed
In regard to the proposed criminal justice center, the commissioners discussed the possibility of purchasing Caledonia Oil, which is located north of the present jail. One of the owners, Robert Lemke, had asked the board whether the county was interested in his property. Commissioner Tom Bjerke said that if Caledonia city officials are concerned about parking, having that location for county employee parking may address some of their concerns because it would alleviate congestion on the south side of the courthouse. The estimated market value of the property is $129,200.
Commissioner Kelleher said that he is not convinced that the county needs that property. He asked for permission to speak to Sno-Pac about their property on East South Street and Pine.
Larry Graf and Ann Thompson will speak to the owners of Caledonia Oil, and Kelleher will approach Sno-Pac.
In a related matter, the board released a list of all properties it has purchased since 1992 and the price paid. The issue was raised at the informational meeting in Brownsville.
On September 1, 1992, the county purchased property at 323 South Marshall for $45,000. On January 2, 2001, the county paid $29,750 for property at 221 E. Washington. On March 30 of 2001, it paid $85,000 for property at 216 S. Pine.
On December 13, 2005, the county paid $80,000 for the property at 314 South Marshall, and paid $64,000 for property at 217 East Washington. The last property it purchased was the house at 322 South Marshall for $225,000.
Commissioner Corcoran said itís important to point out that the county has been collecting rent on the house at 323 South Marshall since it was purchased.
Also, he said, the wide differences in what the county paid can be attributed to having willing sellers versus residents who do not want to sell.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com