Posted: 4/3/07
Johnson Controls promises better communication on CJC
By Roxie Lassig
Special to The Argus
"Shame on us for poor communication," said Tom Praeger, regional operations manager for Johnson Controls ñ the company acting as ownerís representative for the Houston County Criminal Justice Center.
Prager told commissioners at Tuesdayís county board meeting that his company was moving forward on the project, but wasnít doing an effective job of communicating that progress to the county.
County Attorney Rick Jackson had sent a letter to Johnson Controls, Inc. indicating the countyís lack of satisfaction and gave JCI 30 days to fix the situation. After receiving the letter, three representatives from JCI attended Tuesdayís meeting to give a status report and discuss the commissioners concerns.
"As a board, we didnít know where things were at ñ if you were even working on our project," said Commissioner Larry Graf.
Besides lack of communication, commissioners indicated their disappointment with turnover of staff at Johnson Controls. "What is our guarantee now that the same core people with follow this project through?" asked Graf.
Praeger identified JCI employees Mark Beyer and Goldie Decker as project managers, but told commissioners that he has overall responsibility for the Criminal Justice Center project.
"Mark and Goldie (Decker) will be the face of this project from now on," said Praeger. "But the buck stops with me. I have ultimate responsibility for this project.
"Hopefully, we can get things back on track."
Praeger said that JCI will have weekly working meetings with commissioners and will also make progress reports each week at county board meetings.
He told commissioners that Klein-McCarthy has been identified as architect. Design is scheduled to be complete by November 2007. Bidding will continue through February 2008 and construction is scheduled for March 2008 through May 2009.
Before the design can be finalized, commissioners need to define how the building will be funded, what the target cost will be, determine the desired level of energy efficiency, identify parking strategy, and decide the property acquisition status and schedule.
Double-trailer semis on
county roads?
Would you like to see double-trailer semi trucks on county roads? There are two similar bills before our state legislators to allow the double-trailer trucks ñ and the MN Dot is supporting the bills.
Commissioners listened to a presentation from Russell Brooks of the Minnesota Alliance for Safe Highways. The coalition is a statewide non-profit group supported by state law enforcement agencies.
Brooks said his coalition is opposed to the bills currently before legislators that would allow longer, heavier trucks on state, county and local roads.
The MNDot is recommending that the weight limit for six-axle single trucks be raised by 10,000 pounds; weight limits for extra heavy seven axle single trucks be raised by 17,000 extra pounds; and that double trailer trucks be allowed with 28,000 extra pounds.
The USDot does not allow these trucks on interstate highways, so the larger, heavier trucks would be forced onto state and county highways, most of which are only two-lane highways.
The coalition believes these larger, heavy trucks would be a safety hazard to motorists causing more fatal accidents, increased risk of rollovers and cause steering and braking problems.
The coalition also believes that the bigger trucks would cause substantial damage to bridges and highways.
Commissioners will consider signing a resolution opposing the MNDot bills.
Building lot approved at Valley High Golf Course
Commissioners approved the rezoning of a lot owned by Paul Schams from agricultural to residential. The lot is adjacent to the green on hole 2 at Valley High Golf Course in Mound Prairie Township. Commissioners also approved a zoning permit for the course to replace the clubhouse/restaurant at the course. Construction of the walls and roof has already started on the new building.
Low interest agricultural loans
Environmental services director Rick Frank received approval to request another $52,000 from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to provide low interest loans for individuals to update sewage systems or make feedlot improvements. The loans are administered through local banks.
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