Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Beltrami County: new jail construction progressing; Birchmont Beach Road clears archaeological review
Summary
Administrator Barry reported construction milestones at the new county jail and said the county obtained an archaeological license to move forward on Birchmont Beach Road after persistent permitting delays; he also summarized a legislative calendar that leaves many bills laid over until end‑of‑session omnibus negotiations.
Administrator Barry updated the board on several county projects and the state legislative calendar.
On the new jail, Barry said masons are completing block work in the booking and guard post areas, electrical and security electronics wiring is in progress, mechanical systems and exhaust hoods are installed in the kitchen, and fire protection piping is being fitted throughout the building. He said site work is coordinated with the DOC inspector and state building officials and that on‑site manpower recently ranged around 80 people. Barry said staff are still early in design work for the existing facility impacts—drainage, parking and a new sally port—and expect a fuller update at a later meeting.
Barry also said the county had struggled for months to get archaeological permits for the Birchmont Beach Road resurfacing and trail project and had asked state leadership for help. After a meeting that included Representative Bedell and state staff, Barry said the county received the archaeological license and will manage expectations and scheduling to avoid further delays.
On the legislative front, Barry said the session passed an important procedural deadline April 17 and that many bills with fiscal notes are currently laid over as leadership prepares omnibus packages; county testimony in several hearings was laid over rather than rejected, so staff are awaiting end‑of‑session negotiations to see which measures are included.
No formal board votes were taken on these updates; the administrator said staff will return with additional details and design concepts in future updates.
