Bids submitted for the motor pool garage project during the last Murray County Commissioners meeting were rejected on Tuesday – not because the bids were wrong or too high, but because the commissioners are now rethinking the project.
During the February 17 meeting, commissioners had a half hour discussion about the properties owned by the county and how they should be utilized going forward.
They had taken a break from the regular meeting for a work session discussion regarding county property, mostly revolving around what to do with the old highway department property on Highway 59. They discussed where to house items for the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, with suggestions including half of the recycling center, the old highway building or the building where Soil & Water is housed.
While no firm decisions were made, the commissioners agreed that it is time to do some research and get the old highway building listed for sale. This led to the conclusion that with so many construction projects in the works, the timing of moving forward with a motor pool garage was off.
In other business, commissioners approved a quarterly allocation request of $49,069 to the Murray Soil and Water Conservation District. Also approved was a tax abatement through the Murray County Home Initiative for Tim and Jean Runkle for property located at 204 South Delaware Court in Fulda. The new home is valued at approximately $434,000.
Murray County Parks Director Justin Hoffmann presented bids for a planned addition to the Horticulture Building on the fairgrounds. The building will also receive much needed lighting, overhead doors, walk doors and concrete access. The bid from Joe Schreier Construction for $296,510 was approved. Budgeted for the project was $235,000. Capital improvement funds will be used to cover the overage.
The Des Moines River Watershed Partnership offers a 50 percent cost-share program for the sealing of unused or abandoned wells in Murray County within that watershed. The commissioners on Tuesday approved Theodore Wand’s costsharing application for sealing a well in Bondin Township.
Commissioners approved the city law enforcement support contracts with the cities of Avoca, Chandler, Currie, Dovray, Hadley, Iona and Lake Wilson.
Emergency Management Director Carl Nyquist was on hand to cover several subjects, including the replacement of the CodeRed system. Because CodeRed had a major data breach, the federal government revoked their access to IPAWS, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
After research by both Nyquist and Murray County Sheriff Heath Landsman, a recommendation was made to switch to a system called HyperReach. Nyquist will put out information in the coming days regarding how residents can sign up for the system.
Nyquist also requested approval for panic buttons for each county department. Over the last year, Murray County facilities have experienced a dramatic increase in heightened situations involving emotionally charged or confrontational interactions with members of the public, Nyquist informed the commissioners. With safety concerns coming to the forefront, it was decided buttons should be placed in the courthouse, the offices of the sheriff, auditor, assessor, the license center, the commissioner room and the extension office. Commissioners approved the request.
Commissioners approved a request from IT Director Jason Lohrenz for new computers and a new phone system. The county’s current phone system is so old that replacement parts are not available any longer.
During a public hearing that included representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited, the rerouting and partial abandonment of JD 27 was discussed. After a detailed discussion, it was determined the plan to modify and impound waters on a portion of JD 27 would be of public and/or private benefit and not impair the drainage system or deprive affected landowners. A motion was made to accept the findings and approve the petition.
