Logan County Briefs: Courthouse restoration design and bidding plans a top priority

 

[March 15, 2021] 

The Logan County Board held their Regular meeting on Tuesday, February 23, voting on action items from several committees.

Board members present were Chairman Emily Davenport, Vice Chairman Scott Schaffenacker, David Blankenship, Janet Estill, Cameron Halpin, David Hepler, Steve Jenness, Keenan Leesman, Bob Sanders and Jim Wessbecher. Annette Welch and Bob Farmer were absent.

Building and Grounds Committee update

The board approved several motions brought forward from Building & Grounds Chairman David Blankenship.

Blankenship updated the board on the budget and scope of work in process for the Logan County Courthouse restoration.

A subcommittee, the Construction Technical Committee, has been overseeing the project. The committee rejected the initial budget proposed by the design engineering company CTS due to high costs. Bill Walter of MRTS will take over that scope of work and projected bidding shifting the dome and construction management from CTS to MRTS.

This recommendation came from the Construction Technical Committee because MRTS has more experience than CTS in this area and reduces costs.

Blankenship said he is more comfortable with MRTS overseeing the contractors because of Mr. Walter’s years of experience. CTS will still oversee the performance contract side related to HVAC and energy savings.

CTS would still design the performance contract and construction management design contract. At the February Workshop, Blankenship said CTS does phenomenal design work. The individuals from CTS have strong architectural and engineering backgrounds.

The board approved $330,607 for additional structural support for scaffolding. The need for additional support was discovered during a review of the scaffolding shoring base support design.

Mr. Walter said loose I beams were discovered in the attic.

Upon investigating the proposed design further, Walter determined load bearing characteristics in one fourth of the work area were not adequate. New base shoring beams have been incorporated into the design to compensate for the insufficiencies and make everything safer from a structural standpoint.

Blankenship amended his motion to suspend all use of courthouse grounds during the construction/renovation unless given signed consent from the Logan County Board Chairman Emily Davenport, Sheriff Mark Landers, State’s Attorney Bradley Hauge, and to add the project manager.

Because of the work being done, Blankenship does not want the county to get themselves in a situation that could cause issues with the contractors and potentially put the contractors in a liability situation.

Chairman Davenport asked Blankenship if all four should sign off on any consent.

If the county has the sole authority, there could potentially be a situation where contractors would stop work. Therefore, Blankenship thought it would be wise to have all four sign off.

Considering all the moving parts, Jenness agreed having all of them sign off is a good safety measure.

Both the amendment and main motion as amended were unanimously approved.

The board also approved changing the meeting time for Building & Grounds, and Transportation Committees from 5:30 to 5:45 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month.

Airport and Farm Committee update

The board approved the following motions brought forward by Airport and Farm Chairman Jim Wessbecher:

- To sell surplus property (old fuel tank) to Havana Airport for $3,500. The Havana Airport will move the tank at their expense by July 1, 2021 and the purchase price will be paid within 10 days.

- To put out bids for cash rent for the Airport and Farm ground with a two percent increase in years two, three and four. The lease for the county farm and airport farm expires this year and the new lease will last four years.

Finance Committee update

The board approved motions from Finance Committee Chairman Steve Jenness:

- Designation of bank depositories. This resolution must be approved annually.

- Approve credit cards for the Logan County Treasurer, Logan County Clerk & Recorder, State’s Attorney, Assessor, and the Logan County Board Office with a total credit limit of $50,000.

This limit will be split between the offices with the Logan County Treasurer, Logan County Clerk & Recorder and State’s Attorney each having $10,000 credit limits, Logan County Board Office having a $5,000 credit limit and the Assessor’s Office having a $2,000 limit.

- Approve a credit card for Logan County ETSB with a credit limit of $5,000.

The credit cards may only be use for county expenses and all supporting documentation must accompany receipt of monthly billing.

These cards replace credit cards the departments already had and have the same credit limits as the previous cards. The amounts are already incorporated into the budget. Jenness said the county is going through a bank for these cards, which allows the county to have local service directly from the bank instead of having to call an 800 number if there is problem.

Insurance, Legislative and Liquor Committee update

The board approved Hepler’s motion to decline adding the two percent Administrative Fee Charge for COBRA and Retiree Insurance

Planning and Zoning/Economic Development Committee update

The board approved Hepler’s motion for the TWM proposal in the amount of $5,000 for Solar Decommissioning Review to be paid by APEX.

Road and Bridge Committee update

The board approved four Road and Bridge Committee motions brought forward by Cameron Halpin:

- Appropriate $25,000 from the County Bridge Fund to assist Oran Township with a riprap project on 1800th Street.

- Approve a Joint Agreement with IDOT for design of a resurfacing project on County Highway 1, south of Mount Pulaski; and to appropriate $14,000 from the Matching Tax Fund for the local match.

- Approve a Joint Agreement with IDOT for construction of a system-wide guardrail project on various county highways: and to appropriate $101,611 from the Matching Tax Fund for the local match.

A resolution to approve a Joint Agreement with IDOT for design of a bridge rehab project on County Highway 20, east of Union; and to appropriate $22,000 from the County Bridge Fund for the local match.

Safety Committee update

The board approved Safety Committee Chairman Bob Sander’s motion to accept a contract with Logan County Paramedic Association for ambulance service for a five-year period.

Transportation Committee update

The board approved Transportation Committee Chairman Janet Estill’s motions on the following public transportation items:

- A Public Transportation Intergovernmental Agreement with Mason County and a resolution for a Public Transportation Ordinance. Both must be approved annually.

The next Regular Board meeting will be Tuesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Orr Building.

[Angela Reiners]