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Justice Center project moves forward

FAIRMONT — At the Martin County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, the commissioners heard from Jonathan Loose of Wold Architect and Engineers regarding the design phase of the proposed Public Safety and Justice Center project.

“As you’re accepting money from the state, and hopefully for construction of the facility, the state requires you to follow their re-design and B3 requirements,” Loose said.

B3 guidelines can be applied to the design of a new building to meet sustainability goals for site, water, energy, indoor environment, materials and waste.

Loose said as part of that, a commissioning agent needs to be on board. He said that a consultant would need to be hired and that they’ll put a request for proposal together for the effort.

Loose also spoke about the need for survey proposals.

“We’ve looked at where we think the site is now and the four parcels and determined that we have a good handle on what areas we need to survey,” Loose said.

He said that will all be included in the proposal, along with quotes. They worked with Bolten and Menk, who will also put in a proposal.

“They’re usually pretty competitive, but we always want to make sure we have three numbers to choose from,” Loose said.

Commissioner Elliot Belgard asked if the county surveyor can be used. Loose said that a county surveyor typically looks at different topographical distances, whereas for building construction different specifics are looked at.

Loose said he’ll put the RFP proposal together and it will be expected back in two to three weeks.

Loose also said they’re putting together some graphics and moving ahead with the aesthetics and mapping of the building.

“I certainly would expect some approval and discussion among the county board before we really set things in stone in terms of the aesthetics and building materials,” Loose said.

The commissioners approved to have Wold put together a request for proposal for a B3 consultant and surveyor for the Justice Center Project.

The commissioner also approved and authorized extending the service contract with Robert Long of Larkin Hoffman to continue lobbying on behalf of the Justice Center, in the amount of $3,000 a month, effective Oct. 1 through May 31, 2022.

Commissioner James Forshee asked Kevin Peyman, County Highway Engineer, about placing a stop sign with flashing lights at the Imogene corner at 26 and 53, following a recent accident

“I was approached by a few family members that had people involved in that,” Forshee said.

Peyman said he’s looked into it as there’s a history of accidents at that corner. Some people have stopped but some people miss the stop sign.

“One option is those LED stop signs. Those are somewhat expensive and finicky as far as getting them installed just right,” Peyman said.

He said currently there are three sizes of stop signs that are acceptable — 30 by 30, 36 by 36 and oversized signs that are 48 by 48.

“We’re going to go with the large 48-inch stop signs with the reflectors on the poles,” Peyman said.

He said they’re also going to put a solar flasher on the stop sign, which is cheaper and easier than an LED stop sign. He said they should be in in about two weeks.

In other news, as the first regular board of commissioners meeting in the month of December falls on the AMC annual conference, the commissioners had to set an alternate meeting date. They set the first board meeting in December at 4:30 p.m. on Dec 9, as the Truth in Taxation hearing is set for 6 p.m. on that date as well.

In other action, the board approved several new hires. They include Adria Mosloski as a civil process/account technician; Daniel Killion as a part-time communications officer; Melanie Anderson as a part-time communications officer; Erin Davison as a promotion to full-time communications officer.

The board also approved two conditional use permits, one for Camalot Breeders LLP within section 32 of Fraser Township, and one for Garth Carlson within section 36 of Nashville Township. Both properties are zoned “A” Agricultural District.

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