Courthouse in Blue Earth to see repairs
BLUE EARTH — Bob Mickelson of ISG Engineering and Faribault County commissioners talked about some exterior renovations to the courthouse on Tuesday.
Mickelson said the building is ready to undergo maintenance. The work will consist of “tuck pointing” and roof repairs to help preserve it.
The project required extensive site review, including aerial and drone photography from different viewpoints. Engineers carefully evaluated the process of remodeling, and the Historical Society reviewed and approved the project.
Mickelson sought approval from the board to let the process phase go out to bid. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
In other news, it was reported that the Faribault-Martin County Transit Board authorized the purchase of a new vehicle at its Aug. 12 meeting. The cost is $73,626. The Transit Board will be responsible for 20 percent of the purchase price, but must pay the full amount initially and then request an 80 percent reimbursement from the state.
Due to lack of funds, the Transit executive committee authorized the director to request a contribution from both Faribault and Martin counties in the form of a loan equaling 50 percent of the price of the vehicle ($36,813), until 80 percent of the purchase price is reimbursed. On Tuesday, the county board authorized the funding of $36,813 to Faribault-Martin County Transit Board for initial payment of the vehicle.
Another matter discussed was a list of prospective maintenance projects to improve county roads, including a coat oil seal, crack sealing, micro surfacing, 6-inch striping and fixing railroad crossings. The engineer’s estimated maintenance costs were under the proposed maintenance budget, as well as the engineer’s estimated construction costs.
Turning to another matter, the board discussed the possibility of new restaurants opening in Winnebago. Previous requests in regard to a loan for properties to become restaurants were not approved by the board, but at this time, commissioners believe there is adequate backing for the funding of a new restaurant.
In other news, funds from the Minnesota Agriculture Water Certification Program have been secured. After a meeting with the executive committee on Feb. 10 in Mankato, $401,000 has been secured to fund county drainage systems, $6,000 of which will go toward processing applications for the farmland certification program and $402,000 will go to controlled drainage designated to fix surface water and local flooding.
Another matter discussed by the board was county job openings, brought to the board’s attention by Dawn Fellows, Central Services director. The county is in the process of hiring a new maintenance staff, and there are several other positions open as well. A county engineer job is open, as well as a part-time deputy sheriff position, an office support specialist at the Treasurer’s office, and a tech engineer position at Public Works.
In other action, the board:
o Voted unanimously to grant Loria Rebuffoni a conditional use permit for an antique store she plans to open in Blue Earth.
o Considered the resolution to adopt the findings and order for repair on CD514, involving county ditch drainage. Matters discussed included cleaning out the ditch, removal of trees and controlling erosion.
o Set March 1 as the meeting date for CD23 (repairing the ditch drainage system). The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center in Blue Earth.
o Considered setting a date for the CD41 and CD47 redetermination and repair hearing. The board decided on 1 p.m. March 29. The board approved the motion to have a joint meeting with Kossuth County regarding shared expenses of CD41.
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