County makes plan to track Logan County Courthouse restoration work

 

[April 14, 2022] 

At the Logan County Board’s Building and Grounds Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 5, committee members heard plans for a presentation from CTS and updates on the status of the Logan County Courthouse dome.

Project Manager Bill Walter of MRTS said the performance contract, which involves CTS significantly, has been completed. CTS has completed the preliminary work that includes documentation, specs and prints.

An hour before the April 14 Board Workshop there will be an informal assembly where individuals from CTS will be available to answer questions from the public.

One item Walter would like to discuss is the difference between the performance contract and construction management contract pertaining to this project. Walter said he and CTS can answer questions about where they have come from and where they are with the recommendations that will be made.

At the Board Workshop, Walter said CTS will provide a brief but precise presentation to board members.

The plan is to bring the performance contract forward to the board for a vote at the Regular Board meeting on Tuesday, April 19.

This will be a culmination of CTS’s investigation and research [on the HVAC system]. Walter said it was a hard fought battle. He said Building and Ground Committee Chairman David Blankenship was instrumental in going through everything CTS presented from a technical standpoint.

Walter and Blankenship also spent quite a bit of time discussing everything with CTS from a financial standpoint. Walter said it took a while to get CTS to a particular position before he felt ready to bring the performance contract to the board.

The copper dome contract has been refined by Logan County State’s Attorney Brad Hauge. Walter said the contract will need to be signed by Board Chairman Emily Davenport. The contractor will then need to fill out his portion.

The contractor is currently procuring the materials for the dome restoration. Walter said the copper work on the dome will start a week or two after the contractor has received and signed the contract.

If the board approves the performance contract, Blankenship said CTS will begin doing interior work soon. There is some background work that would need to be done, but Walter said in about 75-80 days, work will ramp up.

During the interior work, some offices in the courthouse may need to be relocated temporarily. A few options are being considered. Walter and Blankenship would like to hear ideas from the Transition Committee.

In upcoming weeks, Walter would also like to gather courthouse employees to discuss the logistical approach to the work. He will share what is going to be done and how the employees will be affected.

Board member Dale Nelson asked Walter about filling out a monthly status report on the Courthouse Restoration project. Nelson feels it would help increase understanding and transparency. He provided committee members with a template that would cover timelines, estimated cost and any concerns about the project.

With these reports, Nelson said it would help show whether the budget is on or off track and what delays might be occurring. In the status reports, Nelson said he would also like to know upcoming milestones, estimated costs and the current overall budget. Nelson feels these reports would help answer many questions and streamline information.

Both Walter and Blankenship liked the idea, though they may modify the template a bit.

Logan County Circuit Clerk Kelly Elias liked the idea of a monthly status report, too. She asked if the report could be put online so the public could see it.

The committee went into executive session around 7 p.m. to interview candidates for the Facilities Maintenance Manager position.

[Angela Reiners]