LaSalle County property committee reviews nature‑center cleanup, modular building and broadband options

LaSalle County Property Committee members met Jan. 24 in Room 250 and heard staff updates on winter clean‑up at the county nature center, finishing work on a modular building intended for public use, and efforts to secure reliable internet to support meetings and operations.

Committee members were told the nature center site saw recent vegetation removal and that wood from invasive cedar trees is being reused around county facilities. The modular building at the nature center is on its second round of contractor checks and "should be pretty much done," staff said, and opening the site for public use depends on getting an internet connection.

Ken (staff member) said the county recently "had the Grama in for the shop to get the heater fixed so that's done" and described work at the nature center, including removal of about "12, big trees" of cedar that are being cut because they are invasive. He said the county plans to repurpose some cedar as rot‑resistant bollards and to use some around a marked septic area to prevent vehicle access. Ken added that crews are finishing sealing doors and other punch‑list tasks inside the modular building.

Committee members asked about broadband options for the remote site. Staff reported trying to determine whether Mediacom service could be extended from the road to the nature center and said the county is pursuing corporate sales contacts rather than consumer phone lines to get a firm installation cost. Staff also discussed Starlink and cellular providers as fallback options, noting some residents have DirecTV‑style satellite service that can be slow and unreliable.

On county facility work, Bob (maintenance staff) showed progress photos and described new electrical and ductwork work in multiple buildings. He said contractors are moving main service panels into a basement room, installing 200‑amp breakers and roughly 42 breaker positions in the new configuration. Bob also reported completion of painting, new rugs in the 911 center and training areas, and trim and drywall repairs for spaces being prepared for the public defender and sheriff's offices.

Kurt (project/IT staff) told the committee that planned IT racks are delayed; the vendor now expects delivery around March 10, and some required parts are arriving by ship from Germany, which has pushed the schedule. He said the county had temporarily removed equipment from the IT room and is coordinating a replacement rack to reduce downtime.

Committee members took two routine votes during the meeting. A motion to dispense last month’s county property committee minutes carried with members present voting yes; and a motion to pay bills also carried.

The committee discussed the possibility of holding future property committee meetings at the nature center once Internet access is established. Staff said they would continue working with Mediacom and other vendors to obtain an on‑site wired connection where feasible and would report back.

Less urgent finishing work — painting, carpet placement, and fencing — is continuing and staff invited committee members to tour the building and affected rooms after the meeting.