Posted: 3/20/07
Highway department needs new building
By Roxie Lassig
Special to The Argus
The roof is leaking, thereís water in the basement and a part of a wall caved in a few years ago. Itís the county public works building in Caledonia, and engineer Marcus Evans says it is time to replace it.
"The overall condition of the building is very poor," said Evans at Tuesdayís county board meeting. "Itís simply outlived its usefulness."
The building was first built in 1947, with additions built in 1966 and 1969. Evans said the building lacks adequate insulation, the windows leak, and there are significant air quality issues that pose a health risk for the employees in the building. He says additional storage is needed as well.
Commissioners gave him permission to establish a committee to define the size, location, design, budget and timetable needed to build a new building.
"Weíve been setting aside money for this project for awhile now," said commissioner Ann Thompson. "Itís time to move forward."
Commissioner Tom Bjerke agreed. "It comes down to it being a safety issue for the employees," said Bjerke.
A new building would give the county more flexibility, such as possibly housing the surveying and/or environmental services departments with the highway department.
The newly-established Transportation/Public Works Building Committee will consist of engineer Evans, a county commissioner, a representative from each of the five districts and possibly experts in the building industry.
Keeping a watch on
flooding possibilities
With the large snowfall amounts in the past month combined with high temperatures causing that snow to melt at a quick rate, flooding is a concern in Houston County.
Maintenance supervisor Tom Molling said his workers are working to prevent and identify potential flooding in the county ñ including uncovering clogged culverts to keep the water flowing.
Engineer Evans said that the amount of rain in the next few weeks will determine the countyís flooding risk for this spring.
High School students: police arenít visible enough in schools
At last weekís Houston County Leadership Summit, high school students told Sheriff Ely that police officers need to be more involved in the schools. Ely was just one panel member to participate in the summit. The students represented various high schools throughout the county.
"The students told us that they donít see a big enough presence of law enforcement in the schools ñ especially at the middle and high school levels," said Ely.
"Thatís coming from the kids," said Ely. "Itís interesting that they want more of a police presence. We had some great input from these students."
Ely said that his department, along with the various city police departments, will look into various strategies to increase the visibility of police officers in the schools.
Homeland security grant to fund
pandemic preparedness resources
Commissioners also approved a proposal to purchase equipment and supplies to be placed in strategic sites around the county in case of a pandemic emergency such as a major flu outbreak.
The money comes from Pandemic Preparedness Grant money, part of the Minnesota Homeland Security fund. Emergency management director Kurt Kuhlers proposed spending $7,422 of the $8,790 grant on a portable laptop computer containing vital emergency response information, plus 10,000 rubber safety gloves, 2000 particulate respirators, and 20 safety kits.
County upgrades emergency response plan
Commissioners also approved Kuhlerís updated Emergency Response Plan for the county. The plan provides guidelines for responding to emergencies that could affect employees and members of the public while inside the Houston County Courthouse complex.
The plan provides a chain of command that is used to disseminate information and provides for an organized procedure for relocation and/or evacuation of the courthouse.
Emergencies could include fires, bomb threats, terrorist threats/gun fire/hostage situations, hazardous or toxic spills, severe weather warnings civil disturbances, medical emergencies, lock-downs, or power outages.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com