|
County still working out snags for proposed CCS parking lot
|
|
|
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The last piece of the puzzle? That’s what an 8,000 square foot piece of land, which was once part of C.M.ST. & P Railroad, might be. Houston County Financial Director Casey Bradley informed the county board this 80 by 100 foot piece of property adjacent to Highways 76 and 44 needs to be purchased from Midwest Bottle and Gas to complete the land acquisition for the County Community Services (CCS) parking lot.
“In most cases Mn/DOT acquires the property abutting a highway right-of-way when a road or railway is abandoned,” Bradley told the county board during the June 23 meeting. “In this case, they acquired two triangular pieces on each side of the railroad right-of-way, but not the right-of-way itself.”
Bradley went on to explain that it wasn’t until a complete survey and then additional studying of that survey was it discovered that Midwest Bottle and Gas actually still owns the 8,000 square foot parcel. The county will enter into negotiations with the current owner to purchase the remaining land needed.
The county will also have to come up with a revised stormwater drainage plan before the proposed 1.5 acre CCS parking lot, located just south of Tru-Gas Propane becomes a reality.
During a June 22 public hearing called by the Caledonia City Council, residents living near the proposed parking lot expressed concerns over the grading plan.
(See accompanying story).
Another parking lot
The board approved a motion to enter into a lease agreement with the Caledonia Masonic Lodge to utilize their parking lot for five years at $2,000 a year. Additional downtown parking will be required if the proposed criminal justice center (CJC) becomes a reality.
The contact will not take effect until construction of the CJC begins. If construction does not begin by 2012, the lease agreement will be terminated.
In other board action:
Bridge projects
County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski informed the board that the county will be moving forward with four bridge projects this summer. The four bridges include one on Yucatan Road, the bridge at Riceford, one in Perkins Valley near Money Creek and one on CSAH 26.
The estimated cost of the four projects was $1.15 million. The county receives $380,000 each year from the state aid bridge fund and can advance up to three years. With the money the county received from FEMA for the Perkins Valley project, Pogodzinski said the county will only need to advance $600,000 from the state bridge fund.
Waste collection program
County Environmental Services Director Rick Frank brought the board up to speed on the state’s new waste pesticide collection program.
Frank explained when ag chemicals are purchased, a state surcharge is included, which helps cover the costs of collecting surplus or waste chemicals, inventorying those chemicals, and the proper disposal.
The county will continue the annual residential household waste collection, which usually is held in September.
The county will offer a hazardous farm chemical recycling program, but will conduct that program through Winona County.
Money for Senior Dining
Houston County resident Glenn Meiners asked the commissioners if they were aware that Houston County was the only county in the 11-county area that has not been donating to Semcac’s Senior Dining Program.
“This is a very good program for the residents of Houston County. It provides much more than just good food. There are many aspects of this program that helps keep older people out of assisted care facilities or nursing homes. And that’s a savings to everyone including the county,” Meiners said.
“I realize the county is operating on a tight budget, but this is a matter of priorities,” Meiners continued.
Commissioners pointed out that the county does make numerous donations to Semcac each year, including $5,000 over the past three years for the senior driving program. They encouraged Semcac officials to make a special request in the near future, as the 2010 budgeting process will be beginning soon.
New staff introduced
Due to numerous retirements, and leaves, five new employees have begun duties in Houston County Human Services. Sally Poepping introduced the new employees to the board. They include child protection case manager Andy Melde, child and adult mental health case managers Kelly Smith and Tessa Diepenbrock, financial worker Julie Winjum and case aide Renee Orth.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
