by April Scheinoha
Reporter
It’s one step closer to reality. At its meeting Thursday, Dec. 29, the Pennington County Board accepted a bid to remodel the third floor of the Government Center.
Schmitz Builders of Red Lake Falls had the low bid of $1,445,000 to renovate the third floor, which will soon be occupied by the Pennington County Human Services Department.
Schmitz Builders had also provided an alternate bid of $52,500 to completely replace all windows on the third floor. However, commissioners have decided to postpone considering the alternate bid until shortly before asbestos abatement has commenced.
They have until Jan. 28 to make up their minds. American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to cover the remodeling project.
The third floor will be gutted and remodeled. The remodeled third floor will feature a large space for cubicles as well as space for six offices, two meeting rooms, three interview rooms, a waiting room, a work room, a nursing room for staff, and storage areas.
Bathrooms will also be renovated as part of the project. The project takes into account future space needs for PCHS.
County Board previously approved an agreement with ACCT Inc. to abate asbestos on the third floor. It is expected to begin its work Monday, Jan. 9. The work is expected to take about a month.
A historical mural, which was located on the third floor, has been removed at no cost to the county. Depicting scenes of American Indian life, the mural was created by the late artist Charles Beck. The mural, which was donated to Beck’s daughter, will be displayed in Beck’s hometown of Fergus Falls.
The third floor of the Government Center has been vacant since court administration moved to the Justice Center. Currently, the Child Support Division works on the second floor of the Government Center and other PCHS employees work at the PCHS building along Knight Avenue.
In the past, commissioners have briefly discussed selling the Knight Avenue building once PCHS’ operations were consolidated at the Government Center.
Commissioners set the salary for Sheriff-Elect Seth Vettleson, effective Jan. 1. Vettleson will be paid $102,000.
“Seth comes in with lots of experience,” said Commissioner Darryl Tveitbakk. “He’s been chief deputy for many years.”
Tveitbakk reminded commissioners that County Board sets elected county officials’ salaries in July for the following year. He indicated that Vettleson’s salary will be revisited again prior to July.
Commissioner Neil Peterson commended county snowplow operators for their work so far this winter. Tveitbakk and Vettleson echoed his sentiments. Tveitbakk recalled traveling to Grand Forks, N.D., for a doctor’s appointment Dec. 16 and immediately realizing when he had entered Polk County due to the inferior quality of the snowplowing.
Vettleson recalled that a snowplow operator rescued an ambulance during an ambulance call. He said the ambulance had become stuck and he tried to pull it out with his squad vehicle. Vettleson was unable to do so, but a motor grader was able to provide assistance.
County Board approved the sale of property near Pembina Wildlife Management Area. Pheasants Forever is planning to purchase the property, but it likes county support before purchasing private property.
Loren McCullough owns the property in western Pennington County and plans to donate 330 acres for public use. Pheasants Forever and the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society are planning to purchase the property, which is adjacent to the Pembina WMA. If they purchase the property, those organizations would restore grassland habitat and eventually donate the land to the DNR as an addition to the Pembina WMA.
If the DNR eventually gained the property, there would be additional public hunting and birding opportunities. There would also be better management of leafy spurge and spotted knapweed, invasive species found on the property now.
Currently, McCullough pays $1,230 in annual taxes. If his property were purchased by the two organizations and then gifted to the DNR, there would be an increase in the Payments in Lieu of Taxes to the county. Doug Franke, area wildlife manager with the DNR, noted that amount would be greater than the amount currently paid in taxes.
Mike Lorenson, a Thief River Falls City Council member, approached commissioners about setting up a group to determine how to handle the exits at Challenger Elementary School. Lorenson suggested that the city, county and Thief River Falls School Board should meet to address the matter.
Lorenson lives southwest of the school and near the roundabout. He said the roundabout exacerbated a prior issue involving traffic jams when parents are dropping their kids off at school.
All three government entities are expected to meet in the future to address the issue.
Lorenson also asked commissioners to live-stream their County Board meetings. He encouraged them to reach out to internet service providers to stream the meetings at no charge, similar to how City Council meetings are aired. County Board took his suggestion under advisement.
Various individuals thanked Tveitbakk for his service on County Board. The Dec. 29 meeting was his last meeting as a County Board member. He lost by two votes to challenger Roy Sourdif. Tveitbakk had served on County Board since 2006.
Peterson said it’s been a pleasure serving with Tveitbakk. He quipped that Tveitbakk shouldn’t be surprised if he’s asked to climb into a tractor without air conditioning this summer.