01-02-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

. /~ 21. .~ Commission Minutes--January 2, 2001 2228 The Board commended Mr. Martin and the other committee members for the excellent report and for completing it within the time frame requested by the Board of Commissioners. Copies ofthe final report were provided to all commissioners and to those in attendance at this meeting. In closing, Mr. Martin said the study reaffirmed his belief that Cass County citizens enjoy good government on the local level. BUFFALO SCHOOL BUILDINGS, Uodate bv Mavor and bv the Buffalo Historical Society Bill Marcks, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, was present along with Dale Bentley and Veronica Miller, both representing the Buffalo Historical Society, to discuss the future of the former Buffalo school buildings. The county became the owner of the property by tax deed because the Buffalo School District sold the property to a private citizen when it was abandoned as a school, and the purchaser let the property revert to the county for non-payment of real estate taxes. Due to the poor condition of the buildings, the county is preparing bid specifications to demolish them because of liability issues. The county is being asked today to exclude the 1916 high school building from the proposed demolition bids. Mr. Marcks referred to a letter he addressed to the Board of Commissioners dated December 14,2000, in which he mentioned some concerns that were discussed at community meetings held in Buffalo on November 7 and December 4, 2000. He said there was general consensus from the community that the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Historical Society, through the historical society, should pursue restoring the 1916 portion of the school buildings. The County Commission also received a letter from the State Historical Society of North Dakota, dated December 21, 2000, concerning an upcoming meeting at the North Dakota Heritage Center on January 26, 2001, beginning at 10:00 AM. At that meeting, the State Historic Preservation Review Board will consider nominating the 1916 portion of the Buffalo High School building to the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Bentley gave a presentation and provided a written report on the preliminary planning concept, including an architect's assessment, for restoration and revitalization of the 1916 portion in order to expand the Heritage Center in Buffalo. He said a listing in the National Register would provide funding opportunities for their group. The county is not being asked to fund the project, according to Mr. Bentley, as they hope to use grant writing and community fund raising, like they have done in the past. Commissioners complimented the Buffalo Historical Society on their past preservation work, for which they have received national recognition. A question was raised about the condition of the property at this time, due to liability concerns, and Mr. Bentley said some work has already been done to secure the 1916 portion of the building. They are asking the county to exclude that portion from the demolition bids and give title to the Buffalo Historical Society. The board next discussed the bid process for the demolition work, and County Engineer Keith Berndt has started the work to prepare bid specifications and to meet advertising requirements of State law for a project such as this. Mr. Montplaisir said he anticipates using county r- emergency funds to pay for the demolition work because of the significant liability concerns. MOTION, failed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Wieland seconded that the county call for bids for the demolition of the Buffalo School structures, with the exception ofthe 1916 structure, with consideration ofthe community