Commissioner raises safety concerns after Isabella storm shelter closed during construction

Commissioner Hall raised public-safety concerns after the Isabella storm shelter was closed during recent storms because it is fenced into a construction area and lacked parking, accessibility and utilities.

"That storm shelter is fenced into the construction area of the new football field and so it's kind of inaccessible," Hall said, and added that the shelter had limited parking and was "not very handicap accessible." She told the commission that the fire chief recommended the shelter stay closed because power and water connections had been cut for safety while construction continues.

Other commissioners asked staff to clarify who owns the site and who pays for utilities; meeting comments indicated the shelter sits on fire-department property and that the power feed appears to come from a transformer near the ball field. Commissioners asked Emergency Management (EMA), the fire chief (Chief Conway) and county staff to determine how and when power and water could be restored and whether the shelter could be made safely accessible during severe-weather events.

Commissioners said the closure had been advertised on social media and that alternative shelters had been publicized. They directed staff to follow up with the construction contractor, the fire department and EMA to clarify ownership, utility reconnection and reopening steps.

No formal policy change or vote was taken at the meeting; commissioners requested that staff report back with findings and recommendations.