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Costly repairs considered for health dept. building

Staff reporter

More than a quarter of a million dollars in repairs to the county health department building is a hard pill for Marion County Commission to swallow.

Structural concerns prompted an inspection by Dan Hall of BG Consultants of the Marion County Health Department Building at 230 E. Main, Marion. Loose mortar from the 100-year-old limestone building, a bowed ceiling on the second story, and other concerns required a closer look by the consultant.

A bid of $328,000 was reviewed Monday by the commission that does not include other necessary plumbing and cosmetic repairs and updates.

"We could about build a new building for that," commissioner Dan Holub said.

Another issue is the weight of the storage on the second story. Even though health officials have taken necessary precautions in having heavier objects such as filing cabinets around the exterior of the room on the second story, storage remains a weighty issue.

It was determined that the ground floor of the building was adequate and could continue as is but the second story "will take a whole pile of money," Holub said. He also expressed concern about where the county office could operate while repairs and improvements are made.

Discussion was heard regarding the construction of a building for storage by the county's shop on North Coble Street.

The commission decided to discuss the issue in a few weeks.

In other business:

— Zoning administrator Bobbi Strait reported that the county board of zoning appeals recommended the approval of a conditional use permit for Daniel Franz at 3066 Indigo Road, Hillsboro, for a junk yard. The conditions are that Franz cannot exceed the boundaries of the yard and no more than 35 cars for the family business. Strait said the state license will require a fence.

"This is the cleanest, most organized salvage operation I've ever seen," Strait said. The facility cannot be a commercial business but only used by the Franz family.

She continued that the zoning appeals board was OK with the state's requirements because Franz also owns adjacent property and set backs are sufficient from the county roadway.

Commission chairman Randy Dallke asked if a survey should be required to determine definitive boundaries. Strait said she would make a notation on the permit regarding the location of the yard. The property will be surveyed when it changes ownership.

The commission approved the resolution.

— Strait reported that the state has revoked the license for a salvage operation owned by Delbert Thiesen at 950 Diamond, Newton. The owner will have 60 days to become compliant or the state will dispose the operation by crushing and removing vehicles.

— County public works director Jim Herzet told the commission that he was going to proceed in going out for bids for the reconstruction and overlay of Third Street/Sunflower Road near Marion. He said September would be the starting date. When asked, Herzet assured the commission that the state would come through with reimbursement of a portion of the expenses.

— A completed and revised bridge plan will be presented by Herzet at next week's meeting. Two bridges were to be replaced in 2007 but funds are not available in the road and bridge department so only one bridge will be replaced. Concerns were voiced that if a bridge is postponed until the 2008 budget, then that may lead to another delay of a bridge replacement. Herzet said two bridges could be replaced in 2008 which would not cause the county to fall behind.

— The commission approved a total of $11,213 to engineers Cook, Flatt, and Stroebel for a preliminary study and a core drilling for a bridge to be replaced near Ramona.

— Herzet requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

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