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City council makes overtures to Houston County over CJC issues
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
It appears as if the rift between Caledonia City Council and the Houston County Board over the proposed criminal justice center (CJC) may be entering the healing process. Councilman Bob Standish asked representatives from the Houston County Board and staff to attend the Nov. 10 city council meeting in an effort to mend some fences.
“Communication, or the lack of it, is the big problem,” Standish said. “We need to get together and start discussing this issue. That’s why I asked to have this put on the agenda.”
Before any discussion concerning the CJC, the city council went into closed session with City Attorney Tim Murphy. Following the closed session, Murphy explained because the city is embroiled in a law suit instigated by the county over variance issues with the CJC, he didn’t feel the council should discuss any specifics. He added with three new persons coming onto the city council in January, the city should probably wait until then.
County Commissioner Ann Thompson, who attended the meeting said, “As much as we would like to sit down and discuss our differences, because of the litigation, this is not the time or the place for this. But we would like to set up a committee with possibly some of the new county board members and city council members and hopefully make some progress.”
“I’m not trying to close any doors with this right now, but I feel we should wait until we have the new council and board members in place, then set up a committee with two representatives from the city council, two from the county board, an attorney representing each and a mediator, who would be agreed upon by both parties,” Murphy said.
“This issue has been dormant for so long. I just felt it was time to get the ball rolling. We need to talk about this. I’m truly concerned about the lack of any progress, and the fact that the county has sued the city, being both a resident of Caledonia and of Houston County,” Standish added.
In other council action:
Variance approved
The council approved a variance request for Karen Jostad, 719 East Grove Street. Jostad proposed to remove an existing garage and construct a new 18 by 28 foot unattached garage on the same location. The existing garage is approximately three feet from the west property line, requiring a seven foot variance.
Councilmembers were concerned the garage would be too close to an existing garage on the neighboring property and wondered if the new garage could be moved back further to the north, which would alleviate some issues with the neighboring property. Jostad felt that would be workable.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Peggy Perry and seconded by Standish to approve the variance with the condition the new garage be moved farther north from the existing concrete slab. The motion passed 3-2 with Perry, Standish, and Mayor Mike Morey voting in favor and councilmembers Randi Vick and Gary Klug voting against.
City hall to close
The city council approved the closing of city hall for Friday, Nov. 28, which is the day after Thanksgiving. City employees will use a day of vacation time for that day.
Nelson to retire
Longtime City Clerk/Administrator Bob Nelson plans to retire in October of 2009. Councilmembers felt the city should begin advertising for the position fairly soon, so that once a person is hired, he or she could work with Nelson for several months to “learn the ropes.” The city will begin advertising for the position within the next month.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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