Commissioners address new business impacts
<p>A proposal to apply for funding to replace the Quonset hut at the fairgrounds in Superior was approved by Mineral County Commissioners. The hut has fallen into disrepair and could become a public safety issue if not replaced</p>
The Mineral County Commissioners approved a contract for Durango’s restaurant in Superior to continue to feed inmates. Restaurant owner, Jolie Skelton, said they have had the contract for the past nine years.
They provide a nutritionally sound meal at the cost of $10.90 per person for three meals a day. The meals may contain some of the same items found on their restaurant menu, but they do not receive meals directly from the menu.
She said they hire someone to specifically make the jail meals. Which may include an inmate’s specific dietary needs, for example if they are diabetic.
The contract will be for one year. If anyone else wants to bid on it next year, they will have the opportunity next spring.
Two proposals were presented to county commissioners on June 17. The proposals were for a Community Development Block grant and only one proposal can be submitted at a time. Grants can be submitted starting July 1 and they are available on a first come, first serve basis.
One proposal was for a new fair building to replace the Quonset hut in Superior. The other was for the St. Regis trail improvement project. After hearing both proposals, the commissioners decided on the Quonset hut.
Deb Davis-Quitt from the Superior fair board, and Kevin Chamberlain with the MSU extension office, talked about the Quonset hut, which was built years ago. It is used for 4H projects during the fair, as well as for 4H shooting sports, and private parties.
Chamberlain described the plumbing as “museum quality”, and the ceiling is being held up by wire. He said to continue to use the building is a “public safety issue”. He also complimented the fair board because they have done a “masterful job to keep it going as long as they have.”
Davis and Chamberlain also discussed replacing the bleechers at the fairgrounds, which are old and have fallen into disrepair. This grant proposal would be used to fund the planning phase of the project.
St. Regis resort board representative, George Bailey, and Mark Bellon with Territorial Landworks, presented the other proposal for the trail system in St. Regis. Some ideas for the project include improved trails in and around St. Regis, a possible dog park, a bridge, and a river access park. It is a multi-phase project which will require additional funding as it moves forward.
The commissioners said both proposals were worthy of support, however the Quonset hut had a more immediate need to be replaced.