The Watonwan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 and finalized re-organization for the 2010 year. A final copy of Committee appointments was attached to the regular minutes and agenda. In brief special meetings prior to the regular session, the Board selected members to serve on the Joint Ditch Authority for the new year. Benefit redeterminations were approved for 13 ditches totaling $56,675.00
Chairman Bill Berg called the regular session to order promptly at 9:00a.m., and following added agenda items and approval of minutes from January 19, 2010, Emergency Management Director Julie Peterson appeared before the Commissioners asking if they would re-consider their action of January 19, 2010 limiting cost of re-location of her office to $1,000 plus phone installation costs of $275.00. Peterson explained she would need a larger desk. The Commissioners did not agree to Peterson’s request and said she would have to stay within the $1,000 previously approved.
Information was given to board members from Peterson informing them of a Emergency Preparedness Workshop on June 30, 2010 that will explore the theme of “Drought” Emergency.
It was noted that the Annual meeting of the Watonwan County Association of Townships will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., in the Watonwan County Human Services Building in St. James.
Public Works Director Roger Risser presented his bi-monthly report to the Commissioners. Risser was accompanied by Maintenance Director Steve Laingen and gave an update on snow and ice removal thus far this winter. Some board members still expressed concern that on county roads removal was not as efficient as it could possibly be. Laingen compared removal of snow and ice in Watonwan County with surrounding counties and pointed out that especially during the Christmas Snowstorm in December roads throughout the area and in Watonwan County were about the same. Board members overall expressed appreciation for the job that has been done this winter considering this is the most snow and ice to be removed since possibly 1996.
Risser reported the county has received recognition for the concrete overlay work that was done on CSAH 3 and that he will give a special presentation at the Concrete Workshop to be held at Breezy Point, Minnesota on March 18, 19.
The Public Works Department and Risser have initiated discussion with Brown County about the possibility of sharing ownership for GPS surveying Equipment. Risser reported Brown County is open to the agreement and will continue to study the details of joint ownership.
Janet Hanson, Employment and Training Director requested, due to funding, that her position be reduced to a four day week. The Board so approved. Read more in the Feb. 4 Plaindealer
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