Posted: 3/14/07
CJC progress frustrates board, sheriff
By Roxie Lassig
Special to The Argus
At the March 6 meeting of the Houston County Board, commissioners and Sheriff Doug Ely agreed that the Criminal Justice Center project isnít proceeding quickly enough. The problem is that the projectís lead person from Johnson Controls, the company acting as project manager/ownerís representative, left for another job after a few months into the process. When another person was named as the replacement, he also left after just a short time causing delays in the CJC project.
"Weíre very unhappy with the situation that Johnson Controls has put us in," said Ely.
"This whole thing is dragging around and around," agreed Commissioner David Corcoran.
Commissioners are to meet with Johnson Controls on March 22. "After that meeting, we will have a better idea of where weíre at and how we need to process," said Ely.
Canines on patrol?
Sheriff Doug Ely told commissioners that he is looking into getting an official sheriff department canine. The dog would help with both drug enforcement and tracking of suspects. "Weíve had several suspects trying to escape on foot in a wooded area recently," said Ely. "We couldíve tracked them down much quicker with the help of a canine."
Ely said there are several civic groups who may help with the cost of purchasing and caring for the dog.
Basic wetland application
approved for Krenzkes
Commissioners also approved Part 1 of a basic wetland land application for Tim and Jamie Krenzke of Brownsville. The Krenzkes have built a driveway across their land in the township of La Crescent. Part 1 of their wetland application involves a restoration order to partially restore drainage ditches and fill that was removed along the driveway. Because the permit was obtained after the fact, the Krenzkeís will have to replace wetland credits at a 4 to 1 ratio, instead of the usually 2 to 1 ratio. Whenever a wetland area is filled in, the affected party must create a new wetland area.
They will need to purchase those wetland credits from another party. The Krenkzes told commissioners they have already made arrangements to purchase those credits.
Long haul for demolition
Why should Houston County pay to haul demolition material from the La Crescent intersection project all the way to Austin, Minn? Thatís what environmental services director Rick Frank wants to know.
At Tuesdayís county board meeting, Frank told commissioners that he has contacted state representative Ken Tschumper. He told Tschumper that the county would benefit financially if the material went to the La Crosse landfill instead of the Austin site, which is nearly 90 miles away. Rep. Tschumper has contacted the MNDot engineer Nelrae Succio asking for permission to use the closer La Crosse site. Succio is checking to ensure that La Crosse landfill meets environmental standards.
One-third of county bridges deficient
When asked what the top issues are facing the Houston County Department of Transportation, engineer Marcus Evansí answer was clear: inadequate road and bridge funding. The engineerís issues will be added to a long list of issues that county commissioners will discuss with state legislators when attending the state conference on March 28 and 29.
Approximately 33% of the bridges (58 bridges) within the county are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, according to Evans. This includes approximately 43% of township bridges (42 bridges) and 21% of the county bridges (16 bridges).
Evans is asking for state legislators to pass annual bridge bonding legislation, instead of every other year.
He says inadequate road and bridge funding has not kept up with construction cost and inflation increases, and the transportation needs of growing communities.
Potential solutions are to pass legislation for gas tax increases, indexed gas tax, vehicle registration tax adjustment, local option sales tax, increase general statewide sales tax, wheelage tax, increased use of general obligation bonds for local transportation projects, eliminate sales tax exemption on motor fuels, authorize street utility fee, or charge a fee for each mile driven.
Caledonia Argus
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507/724-3475
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