county commission

Cari Drees 

The Substance Abuse Crisis Facility project is moving along quickly with a report on the build from Steve Gehrtz, Gehrtz Construction, Troy Amundsen, Substance Use Crisis Facility Director, and County Administrator Stephen Larson at Tuesdays meeting.

 An update on a Schematic Design Preliminary Estimate was provided by Klein McArthur Architects. Gehrtz felt that the numbers were “in pretty good shape” for the overall estimate. He did touch on a price variant that Commissioner Mongeau clarified for the public. “The reason that we are not quite so sure on what is required is that we are waiting to hear from the grant awardees.” The numbers that are in the estimate will be firmed up at that time.  

Commissioner Mongeau asked if there were any concerns with regards to timelines given the fact that there is a project already being built at the site. Administrator Larson stated that they are waiting for some trades, and then the clay that was removed from the current build would need to be hauled away. Gehrtz followed up Larson’s statement with an assurance that geothermal systems can be dug in the winter and could be started early.

The conversation moved to restructuring the committee assignments as the Substance Use Crisis Facility. After a motion and second Commissioner Mongeau and Commissioner Campbell will become members of the Finance Construction Committee while she and Commissioner Gross would remain on the Planning Committee. The final item regarding the facility was to give commissioners the ability to approve, by both commissioners, spending up to $50,000. This is a “cost effective” move as there are some items that need to have direct action for better pricing.