Commissioners move forward with building plans
ALBANY — Two Linn County building projects will move forward thanks to project approvals by Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker Tuesday morning.
The commissioners said the Sheriff’s Office can seek Requests For Proposals for a Construction Manager/General Contractor for the expansion of the female section of the county jail. DLR Group is providing architectural and engineering services to the county and has prepared the pre-design and diagrams.
Undersheriff Micah Smith presented the request. The project will add 22 beds to adult female section of the jail.
Public Health administrator Todd Noble presented a request to seek Request For Proposals for architectural services for renovation of the 7th Avenue Medical Building at 1040 7th Ave. SE as a Crisis Stabilization Center.
In his written report, Noble noted the center will be open 24/7, allowing community members experiencing a mental health crisis to meet with a trained crisis worker.
There will be an intake area, respite area, short-term stabilization area for children, adolescents and adults as well as offices, support area and central staff amenities.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Accepted the annual audit completed by Pauly, Rogers and Co., of Tigard. CPA Tara Kamp said by phone that the audit process was excellent thanks to County Accountant Bill Palmer and his professional and helpful staff. She said, “Overall, the results are very good.”
- Were told by Dr. Adam Brady that there were 48 births — 24 boys and 24 girls — and 107 deaths in November. There were three suicides. There were six cases of pertussis (whooping cough).
- Approved a contract not to exceed $20,000 to provide Behavioral Health Services to underinsured or uninsured students in the Lebanon School District.
- Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties and the Intercommunity Health Network for a Community Advisory Council Coordinator. Each county will contribute funding. Linn County’s share is $25,000 from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Approved a 3-year contract with CDW-G for renewal of the VMware license used by the IT Department. Total cost is $64,500, billed annually at $21,500.
- Reappointed Kacey Duncan and Carrie Howell to the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board. Reappointed Tina Dodge Vera, Marie Long and Lynn Bentson to the Health Advisory Council. Reappointed Kami Beard, Emma Deane, Scott McKee, Kathryn Henderson and Robin Wilson to the Mental Health Advisory Board. Reappointed Jeff Blackford to the Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee.
- Were informed 21 young people from Linn County, two from Benton County and four from Lincoln County were held at the Juvenile Detention Center. There were 55 referrals in November and there are 174 youth on probation. There are 109 youth in the Community Programs Unit.
- Awarded an Architecture and Engineering Services contract for the Cox Creek Bridge project to David Evans and Associates. There were two other contenders.
- Approved a Comprehensive Plan Map amendment and Zoning Map amendment on a 108.59-acre property near Crawfordsville. This will change the Plan Map designation from Farm/Forest to Non-Resource and change zoning from Farm/Forest to Non-Resource 5-acre minimum.
- Announced the Board of Commissioners will not meet on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.
