Nobles Government Center to renovate

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — Nobles County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized bid specifications for the proposed third-floor renovation of the Nobles County Government Center.

Steve Robinson of SEH (Short Elliott Hendrickson) presented an estimate of $232,000 Tuesday for demolition and renovation of the third floor, which will result in swapping space between the Nobles-Rock Community Health Services and Nobles County Administration offices.

Moving the administration offices adjacent to the commissioners’ board room will allow for an additional exit to be created. A third exit from the board room will also be created on the northeast wall as a safety measure.

“There have been instances in other counties where people are bringing in guns,” said Commissioner Diane Thier. “It gets a little scary up here when there’s no place to go.”

In addition to resolving safety concerns, the remodeling project will provide additional space for NRCHS, and will include updating the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system on the third floor.

“The challenge to this project is the staging and phasing of the work — moving people around,” said Robinson. “There will be some disruption. We’ll need cooperation from everyone involved.”

Bids for the project are expected to be received in early January, with construction anticipated to last approximately three to four months.

In other action, the board:

l Approved a conditional use permit for Melissa Brand of Worthington to operate a dog kennel in the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 29, Worthington Township. The permit is good for up to 40 animals and allows for the construction of an additional structure to house them.

l Approved participation in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Sheriff Kent Wilkening said one of the county’s deputies would be assigned to the task force. If there would be an Internet crime against a child in Nobles County, Wilkening said the task force and the local deputy would work together on the investigation. Participation on the task force would provide the county with additional resources, he added.

l Declared two, 2003 Chevrolet squad cars from the Nobles County Sheriff’s Department as surplus property.

l Discussed updating the county’s five-year road plan, which was last updated in January. Nobles County Public Works Director Stephen Schnieder said he plans to update the plan in early 2009, following information on funding allotments from the state.

l Approved the conversion of 180 digital aerial photo files in the public works department to smaller files to allow for easier and faster viewing. The cost of the conversion is $2,700, which will be funded through Public Works’ GIS fund.

l Approved a contract with Avera Worthington Specialty Clinic to provide random drug and alcohol testing for Nobles County employees with required CDL licenses. The Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust used to provide the testing, but is no longer offering the service.

l Welcomed Kathy Reitmeier and Kelly Kruse as new county employees in the information technology department.

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