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 Repairs on Safety Complex and Courthouse
Last month, Bateman, who is the chairman of the Building and Grounds
Committee, began a discussion on repairing the roof and the HVAC
system at the Safety Complex. A number of board members expressed a
desire to see both projects completed in the near future.
Bateman said he has been in preliminary talks with a construction
company to get estimates on costs.
“In doing so, I learned that there have been problems with the
elevator at the courthouse, to the point where people may be afraid
to ride it,” said Bateman. Bateman said that due to federal
regulations, replacing the control panel in the elevator system
would require a full elevator upgrade, including a new motor and
paneling.
“That estimate could cost around $131,000,” said Bateman. This would
be an additional cost to the previous estimates of the HVAC and roof
replacement at the Safety Complex, which was under $300,000.
“That HVAC system has been a problem for years, and now the elevator
is a problem,” said Bateman.
Sheriff Steve Nichols said he knows firsthand how big of a problem
the roof is. During a series of recent rainstorms, the complex had
to empty two jail cells due to flooding problems. Several board
members agreed that both the roof and HVAC system need to be
addressed at the same time.
The county board is currently waiting to hear whether or not they
could feasibly borrow money to help pay for these major repairs, and
how long they would have to pay back any loans. The board was
hopeful they would know for sure by the time of the regular board
meeting on Tuesday.
“Once I get a clear answer on whether we can move forward, I’m sure
I can get a hardball figure,” said Bateman.
County cemetery maintenance
Ron Ritchhart and Darryl White were present at the meeting to
represent the Logan County Cemetery District. The board is expected
to vote on their appointment to the district this month. A couple of
the board members wanted to voice some concerns they have received
from residents over the state of county cemeteries.
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Jan Schumacher said she had received notification that
construction debris was being dumped into part of the Old Union
cemetery a few months ago. When police followed up with
construction workers at the location, the workers claimed they
had permission from the Cemetery District to do so. Ritchhart
and White both said they had no knowledge of such permission
being given, and Ritchhart said he will look into the situation.
Kevin Bateman said he has received calls in the past over the
condition of smaller cemeteries in the county. Bateman said the
cemetery in Mount Pulaski in particular became overgrown with
grass last year, although the quality of lawn care has improved
since then.
White said it can take up to two weeks to make one round across
the county and mow around all of the cemeteries. In addition,
the district works with a “dry weather crew,” meaning that wet
weather can make the maintenance crew fall behind on maintaining
any of the cemeteries.
Chuck Ruben said he knows of cemeteries in Eminence Township
that were only mowed twice last year. Ruben said he could not
remember which specific cemeteries needed more attention, but at
least one of them is lined up along the roadside.
After the discussion, the board members took a straw vote to
approve the appointments to the Cemetery District.
Board members present at the meeting were Vice-chairman David
Hepler, Kevin Bateman, Rick Aylesworth, Chuck Ruben, Gene Rohlfs,
Chairman Robert Farmer, Jan Schumacher, Emily Davenport, David
Blankenship, Andy Anderson and Pat O’Neill. Andy Meister was
absent.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
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