04-04-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--April 4, 2005 2882 State's Attorney Birch Burdick referred to Ordinance #2004-1, Vector/Weed Building Project, which states that the project is not to exceed $900,000 in total or more than 10 years in length. He said the Commission may want to address a higher dollar limit and modify the ordinance before final bids are accepted. Mr. Pawluk asked if bids could be reviewed to see if cuts are possible and look at whether the Highway Department could assist with the site preparation or underground work to help save on costs. County Auditor Michael Montplaisir said the Commission has the option to finance $900,000 and look at funding the remainder of the costs from the building fund. He said the building fund has a balance of around $4.74 million. Mr. Pawluk said he cannot support a $1.1 million Vector Control facility. He and Mrs. Sorum suggested that bids be reviewed for cuts. Mr. Stroh said typically bids are not awarded on the same day as the bid opening, so that engineers may review them for inconsistencies. Mr. Stroh said he and his staff could look at ways to cut costs such as the type of materials used; look at a smaller facility; and look at whether the Highway Department could help with some of the construction. The mechanical bids are extraordinarily high in relation to the square footage and this would also be reviewed. Mr. Stroh would also visit with the low bidders and ask them for ideas on ways to cut costs. The bids are good for 30 days, which allows time to explore options. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded that Architect Terry Stroh in conjunction with County Engineer Keith Berndt look at alternatives on the bids for general, mechanical and electrical work for the Cass County Vector Control facility in order to cut costs and to report back to the County Commission at the May 2, 2005 meeting. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 12. ORDINANCE #1997-3 (CASS COUNTY PARK CAMPSITES), First readinalamended ordinance approved The Cass County Park Board met earlier today and discussed this item. Mr. Pawluk said a subcommittee of Vern Bennett, Chad Peterson and himself met today to determine fees for Brewer Lake Park campsites. They used the Red River Valley Fair campground fees as a guide and came up with the following: For electric sites, $5 per day or $100 per month; for water, sewer and electric sites, $10 per day or $150 per month. Mr. Burdick said the Commission could have the first reading of the ordinance today and still make revisions between the first and second readings to include the fee structure and any other changes, if needed. Mr. Wagner is concerned about campers renting a site for the entire summer. He said this has been happening in the past and with the limited number of sites, he feels the county may be excluding people who may want to camp for a few days. Mr. Pawluk said he envisions a camp host would be in charge of the park and this type of concern would be left to their discretion. Mr. Wagner would prefer a 30-day cap on a permit.