The Clinton County Judicial Center Project Development Board took another small step in selecting a location for the new proposed Clinton County Justice Center at a Zoom meeting held last Friday morning, September 17, with six members present.

It was noted in the meeting minutes that District Judge James “Mike” Lawson recused himself from all motions and actions taken on land offers/decisions.

After approving previous meeting minutes, the board entered into closed session pertaining to land acquisition under Administrative Procedure Part X, Chapter 3, Section 3-4 (G) 3.

Upon returning to open session, a motion was made by Dr. Tracy Cross, seconded by Circuit Clerk Jake Staton, to narrow down preferred sites to site 1A and 1B based on the architect’s evaluations of each site. The motion passed unanimously with Lawson abstaining.

At their previous meeting, the board had narrowed the selection sites to four possible locations.

Site 1A is the block from the Foothills Festival building to the corner street, while site 1B is across that street from the old Rankin location (former City Meat Market) to the Elliott Armstrong home at the corner of Town Hill (Hwy. 553-Wisdom Dock Road).

Site 1A is directly across from the courthouse, while 1B is across from Albany City Hall/Water Department and First Christian Church, both on the west side of the Albany square.

Staton then made a motion, seconded by Commonwealth Attorney Jesse Stockton, to interview construction managers at the board’s next meeting, with all voting yes.

On a motion by Cross, seconded by Staton, the board voted unanimously to make the architect evaluations available for public inspection.

Circuit Judge David L. Williams then made a motion, seconded by Staton, to have the architect move forward with geo-tech, which was followed by a motion by Cross, seconded by Williams, to move forward with appraisals for sites 1A and 1B, with all voting yes and Lawson abstaining.

Williams then made a motion, seconded by Cross, to authorize the executive committee to hire an appraiser to meet AOC (Administrative Office of the Courts) regulations, with the motion passing, all voting yes and Lawson abstaining.

Prior to adjourning, the board set its next meeting date for Friday, October 15, at 8 a.m. via Zoom.