County discusses possible future courthouse projects

     Rod Albers, the head custodian for the Jones County Courthouse, met with the Jones County Supervisors during their March 23 board meeting to discuss possible future facility maintenance projects.

     “A lot of the major stuff has been taken care of,” Albers said.

     Now that the courthouse HVAC and window replacement projects are complete, Albers said the next big project would be replacing the courthouse roof in a year or two.

     “We need to be proactive, especially with a flat roof,” warned Albers.

     He told the board he’s been in touch with a contractor who could come and look at the current condition of the roof and offer some advice.

     Albers also highlighted various smaller projects.

     “The trees by the street are not in the best of shape anymore,” he informed the board. He said those same trees are also hanging far over the sidewalk, which could pose a problem.

     The public restrooms on the main floor of the courthouse, Albers said, could also use some attention. He and former county auditor Janine Sulzner discussed the restrooms prior to her retirement. Albers didn’t think a full remodel was necessary, but perhaps updating the dividers between the stalls.

     Supervisor Joe Oswald said another issue is handicapped accessibility with those same restrooms.

     “Some quotes Janine had were a couple of thousands of dollars for a total remodel,” Auditor Whitney Hein shared.

     Hein also suggested getting the courthouse parking lot lines painted, as they’ve faded considerably over the winter.

     “It’s something to consider,” she said.

     Community Services Director Lucia Herman, who works out of the Broadway Place annex facility, added that the parking lot could use some attention up on the hill as well.

     The board took all of the suggestions to mind; no formal action was taken.

In other county business:

     • County IT Coordinator Lisa Mootz met with the board regarding changing internet service providers for the Broadway Annex.

     Currently, the county uses CenturyLink and Mootz is advising moving to Mediacom for faster service. The cost is an additional $40 a month.

     Mootz told the board she would look into whether the county holds a contract with CenturyLink, and whether they would have to sign a contract with Mediacom or not.

     The board approved the switch.

     • The board approved a letter of support for the Creative Adventure Lab, Inc. coming to downtown Monticello. The letter is to accompany a USDA grant application for renovations of the former Dollar General where the Creative Lab is moving into.

     The request for county support came from Economic Development Director Derek Lumsden.

     • County Engineer Derek Snead informed the board that the contractor on Lead Mine Road started on Monday, March 22.

     • Snead said he is working on maps for contract rock placement. He planned to bring a notice to bidders for approval at the next board meeting. A bid letting would be held in mid-April.

     “It’s a little later than last year, but we’ve also had more snow than last year,” he said of the late start. “We wanted to let that melt.”

     • Jim Caswell from Amber spoke with the board regarding a neighbor raising livestock next to his property. Caswell said the owner had chickens, and is now raising about a dozen hogs.

     “He couldn’t afford to feed them and starved them to death,” Caswell said of the chickens. “The pigs are still on the property.”

     Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben said Environmental Health Coordinator Paula Hart is looking into the particulars with the DNR regarding violations with the well/septic system and livestock contamination.

     In terms of land use, Lubben said the county currently does not regulate animals being raised in unincorporated areas of the county.

     “Planning & Zoning talked about animals a number of years ago, but it didn’t go anywhere,” she said. “But 12 hogs in a small space is not a good thing.”

     “I don’t want it to get pushed aside,” Caswell said.