Theexterior of the courthouse is in need of repair, Maintenance Director Brian Silence reported to the county board in November 2009. The material used on the surface is good for only 12-14 years before cracks start to form. Water gets into the cracks, freezes, and then creates holes, Silence said, something he already sees happening.
The newer portion of the building needs different treatment from the older portion. The total cost of patching, re-caulking, tuck-pointing, pressure washing, and painting has been estimated at $67,000.
Commissioner Bob Fenwick suggested trying to get a grant for the work since the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Silence will investigate the requirements for repairing the building and try to find funding sources.
Collaborative border enforcement
In other news, the county board approved an agreement with the DNR for help with Operation Stonegarden, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection initiative that pays local and state law enforcement for their help in border patrol and enforcement.
DNR officers will have the option of assisting outside their regular hours of duty. The state’s current overtime rate for DNR officers is $53.70 per hour, and it charges $16.10 per hour for maintenance and fuel for vehicles used in Operation Stonegarden.
Over the next two years, the county will receive $9,502 from the DNR through a snowmobile safety grant. Themoney will help get patrols out on the trails to do safety checks. “I believe snowmobile safety in Cook County is paramount,” Sheriff Mark Falk told the county board December 15.
Leadership course valuable
Cook County Extension Director Diane Booth thanked the county board for allowing her to participate in the University of Minnesota “U-Lead Advisory Academy” this year. An information sheet on the 10-week program states that its mission “is to help citizen stakeholders develop their leadership skills, knowledge, and networks and be better advisors to and advocates for the University of Minnesota Extension and outreach units.”
The program included five days meeting with officials in Washington, D.C. Booth said she met a lot of “influential people” in Washington, D.C., including the Secretary of Agriculture.
Participants in the program include county administrators and other employees and University of Minnesota Extension Service partners and advisors. Booth said that others from Cook County could attend next year’s program.
“It was a great opportunity,” said Booth.
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