SLAYTON -- It took two conference calls, an emergency hospital board meeting and almost an hour, but the Murray County Commissioners approved the purchase of a new ambulance during their board meeting Tuesday morning.
The Murray County Medical Center will be replacing its 1996 ambulance with a 2007 model for $95,100, which includes a power lift, signage and radio installation. The county had received three bids and opted to go with the lowest.
"They only had two (ambulances) left," said ambulance crew member Jim Gertsema. "We had to put a hold on one."
When the commissioners started to discuss the situation, they conference-called the Medical Center CEO to ask questions. Gertsema happened to be in the CEO's office when the call came in. He rushed the bids to the commissioners at the government center and answered questions about the ages of the current ambulances.
Murray County Attorney Paul Malone told commissioners the final decision to buy the new ambulance had to come from the hospital board, so an emergency meeting was called. A quorum of the hospital board was available, so the commissioners' meeting was recessed to allow the hospital board a chance to approve the purchase.
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Gertsema said delivery of the ambulance would be within the next 30 to 60 days.
Commissioner John Giese expressed his disapproval over having to make last-minute, quick decisions based on the availability of a vehicle, citing the purchase of a truck for the highway department two weeks ago.
In another matter, a public hearing regarding a Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) loan for Monogram Meat Snacks took place. Monogram is planning a significant expansion within the footprint of its plant, which will create an additional 50 to 60 jobs at the Chandler facility.
The county applied for the $500,000 of MIF funds on behalf of Monogram, 20 percent of which will come back to the county as part of the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund.
Additionally, the commissioners authorized disbursement of $150,000 from the revolving loan fund to be repaid over seven years at 3.5 percent interest.
"Everybody at Monogram is very grateful," said Dave McClinden, the company's controller. "We are excited about it, have plans for future growth and for another line."
Monogram plans to hire locally for as many of the new jobs as possible, and McClinden said they hope to get their name out more, possibly by sponsoring a night of racing at the Murray County Speedway.
"This is fantastic for Murray County," Chairman Bob Moline said.
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In other business:
- Commissioners approved a motion to hire Bolton and Menk to design plans for a variable crest dam for use in Fulda to replace the current dam. The design process is expected to cost $13,000. Building the dam will cost another $30,000 to $40,000.
Commissioner Bill Sauer said even if the plans for lake reclamation don't work out, the dam in Fulda still needs to be replaced as soon as possible, followed by the dam in Avoca.
- Murray County Sheriff Steve Telkamp received approval to purchase a boat and trailer with grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Commissioners discussed and approved delegating the authority to evaluate and approve quotes for undercover vehicles to Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Winter. Winter will evaluate the quotes received by the sheriff and determine which vehicle to order. The board will still approve final payment for the vehicle without having to bring specifics such as make, model and color to a public meeting.
Also approved was the request to designate Murray County Deputy Randy Donahue as Chief Deputy.
