LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
It was a busy morning. First, the commissioners dealt with solid waste. The River Bend Nature Center and Rice County have agreed to continue the waste education program in the schools known as the River Bend Educational Agreement. The cost for this year and next would be $10,290 for each of the next two years. Despite the Solid Waste Department's timely theme for the project (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and its use of new college graduates (already concerned with the issues and needing only a minimum of training for these jobs ) the commissioners were reluctant to support the program financially at this time. and suggested arranging a future discussion on the topic.
Parks and Facilities -- Joe McGough, head, asked for authorization to advertise for bids for King Mill Dam Repairs. Funds have already been allocated for King Mill Dam repairs. Rice County has budgeted $135,000 for the project, and there is a $1000 matching grant from the Minnesota DNR Dam Safety Unit. The County will fund their portion of the project budget from the fund balance. The project engineer estimates that 9 different repairs are needed. All of these may not be accomplished, but the hope is that the highest priority projects will fit within the budget.
Human Resources -- Laurie Jandro, Human Resources/Administration: Jandro presented the results of the County Administrator's (Gary Weiers) performance review. Results of these reviews and comments by the commissioners who had made them, were enthusiastic. Some of the them were "meets expectations, exceeds expectations, has done a wonderful job,etc." Because of the economic situation and tight money, the commissioners emphasized that money is not available for increasing Mr. Weiers' salary, but they wish that it were available.
Public Health -- Mary Ho asked for approval of several contract renewals with vendors. The commissioners voted to approve the contracts, which provide for board and lodge service, adult foster care, foster care respite service, home care, and support service.
Fran Windschitl -- The Auditor/Treasurer presented several different requests for liquor, malt liquor, tobacco, and lawful gambling licenses. All were approved by the commissioners.
Administration -- Gary Weiers introduced a discussion of McCullough Park's status. The park badly needs improvements. In the early 1970's a 7 acre piece of land near General Shields Lake in Rice County was developed into a campground. In past years operators of the campground could and did lease the land (a revenue source for the County) but right now the campground /park needs many improvements. It will be costly to provide basic improvements for the land as either a camp-ground ($69,000 ) or a park ($16,000). The County Commissioners will have to decide what the long term use of the area will be.
