After considerable discussion, Pottawatomie County Commissioners Monday approved spending $18,000 with BG Consultant for a space needs assessment of the county’s buildings and facilities. Project Engineer Karen Weathers and Project Manager/Architect Clint Hibbs presented to the commission, with Weathers stressing this is one step in the process. Weathers added there may be more study required. And she says when a plan is done like this, it provides a level of confidence for constituents.
Commission Chair Pat Weixelman had questions, saying he wanted something solid when they’re done, with good information they can utilize, not just a bunch of figures. He added he didn’t want to have to pay six times.
Commissioners had questions about what the study would bring them–with instructions to incorporate technology and its possible impact on future staff needs.
Project Manager/Architect Clint Hibbs showed examples of other counties his firm has worked with, stressing that each case is different and taylored to the county’s specific needs…
There was still obvious dissension among commissioners on possible use of a former medical clinic building across the street from present Westmoreland county facilities, currently owned by Farmers State bank, as well as the old courthouse.
In other business, commissioners heard about difficulty last week due to flooding brought on by heavy rainfall. Weixelman shared a trailer floated nearly six miles on Rock Creek from the Flint Rock Bridge to Louisville before it was finally retrieved. On the eastern side of the county, railroad tracks took a beating. Weixelman commended the crews that have been working to restore things to normalcy.
The county landfill is reporting record numbers of trash being emptied into the landfill. Weixelman says he isn’t so sure that waste in the county is increasing, or perhaps just because the trash was wet due to recent storms.
The number of health permits being issued in the county is up as well from this time last year by eighteen permits, with one location showing a significant increase, with 36 in Blue Township compared to 18 last year at the same time.
Also on the agenda was Lori Feldkamp representing Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc. The company is a non-profit organization that assists individuals with developmental disabilities. County Commissioner Pat Weixelman says Feldkamp is requesting an increase in funding and also applying for funding for transportation.
Commissioners also considered a second entrance request for property off Alayna Road–indicating they’d drive by the property before any possible action is taken.
