County Public Works Building Update

Media Release

Date: May 28, 2013

From:  Tom Shea

Administrator

Steele County

                                               

For Immediate Release

Steele County Public Works Service Center Task Force Notes Progress

Owatonna – A 16-member county task force continues its work to identify a satisfying solution to current and long-term highway department facility needs.

Five private citizens are serving on the Task Force, each chosen by the commissioner of his or her district. The five were asked to lend an outside view of the project, listen to other citizens’ concerns and bring their fields of expertise to the process. The five are Marvin Spindler, Jim Shafer, Matt Durand, Steve Kath and Margaret Michaletz.

Since the formation of the task force five months ago, the public works task force has learned the needs of the county and explored the options presented. Currently, three options are being considered seriously: construction of a new building on Crane Creek Road (old Highway 14) that the county has invested approximately $900,000 in purchase and site preparation, buying the vacated former Caterpillar building on South County Road 45 listed at $3 million, or buying the current leased facility located at 900 30^th Place NW in the Owatonna industrial park.

The task force toured the Caterpillar building and reviewed remodeling costs provided by Oertel Architects and Ancom, Construction Managers. Task force members have been sharing the information they’re receiving with friends and colleagues in the community and sharing their findings with the committee, as well.

The Task Force members have also prioritized 11 criteria important for selecting the site.

At the May meeting, Kath noted that the task force’s work will be completed when “we have the best number we feel comfortable with.  We did the best we could and this is what the group decided.“

The Public Works Task Force meets again June 4 at 3:00 p.m. in the County Boardroom.

Formation of the task force arose early in 2013 after the County Board tabled a vote to build a $13 million new facility on Crane Creek Road in mid-2012. The project ran into criticism from business and private citizens who questioned the cost and the seeming lack of community input on the proposal.

The county is looking for new highway headquarters after the September 2010 flood left its 40-year-home on Hoffman Drive uninhabitable. Since then, it has been leasing temporary facilities in the industrial park.

County Board Meeting: May 14, 2013

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2013 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

County Commissioners received a packet and annual update from Tourism Director Lisa Havelka. Last year the county was able to give $1,200 toward Southern Minnesota Tourism Association (about 36 counties that  co-op to bring tourism to southern MN). Commissioners to decide at 7 PM meeting if they are able to contribute again.

Laura Ihrke presented information on ditch viewer training. Appx. $10,000 to be raised (amount goes down if more counties participate).

U of M Extension presented a program review of 2013/2014 goals.  Areas included: Ag, Horticulture  4-H, and  Nutrition Education.

Steve Rholik presented info on the contract change order with Motorola, as well as info on the 800 MHz antennas (both Blooming Prairie sites).

Anita Benson presented an update on the Public Works Service Center Task Force. The task force has worked through priority rankings for items on the site. Preliminary costs for the Caterpillar concept and Manthe/Crane Creek concept have been initially outlined. June 4th is next task force meeting. Group is planning on an public update/announcement of a "progress report" soon.  FEMA is supposed to respond to county soon.

City Council Notes-May 7, 2013

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2013 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

Steele County Assessor had the Board of Appeals and Equalization report, some highlights from the report,
128 foreclosures in Owatonna in 2012 versus 175 in 2010.
Commercial and Industrial property had slight increase in value of .7%
Plan to evaluate all commercial and industrial properties in 2013 for 2014 assessment.
Value on new construction for 2012 was $8,144,900.00

Conditional Use permit for new drive thru restaurant at 1232 Oak Ave South, by Tailwind Investment.

Conditional use permit for OPU for repurpose of the old power plant.

Bids awarded on various street projects for 2013 including NW Industrial Park Pond for $1,000,472.00 awarded to Borneke Construction using State and TIF monies.

Development agreement with Tailwind LLC for old Budget Mart and Hardee’s site.  Creates TIF district for total amount of TIF is 220,000 with 100,000 going to developer for demolition and site prep, and 120,000 going to City for realignment of Barney Street and administrative costs.

Coffee with Council May 18 from 9-10 am at The Kitchen.