Logan County Briefs: Courthouse dome reconditioning, Scully Park fountain, Christopher Wilson to serve as county facilities manager

 

[June 13, 2022] 

At the June Logan County Building and Grounds Committee meeting, committee members heard several updates on the courthouse restoration from Bill Walter.

Dome restoration update

Walter said the dome restoration is progressing in a more rapid fashion now. Dumpsters and chain link fence barricades are in place outside the courthouse.

The copper contractor, Durable, is removing the existing copper and fiberglass. Walter said they are patching and consolidating the concrete underneath to make a solid base.

In the past couple weeks, Walter said they have removed the majority of [copper] profiles they need to send to the manufacturer.

Chicago Metal and a Canadian copper company are currently putting together shop drawings and prototypes. Walter said they should be done with the drawings and prototypes in about three or four weeks. Before production begins, Walters said the drawings will need to be approved.

To replace the plastic around the cupola that was torn, Walter said new plastic is being put up. There will be a small section open in it for ventilation. Walter said this section will not be in a position to affect the dome work.

Construction Technical Committee updates, recommendations and schedule

Tuesday, June 14, there will be a meeting to go over the performance contract scheduling with the construction technical committee.

Building and Grounds Chairman David Blankenship said this will be a pre-construction meeting.

Once the construction management documents have been drawn up, they will also be reviewed. Walter said these documents will need to be reviewed by him and the construction technical committee before giving approval to proceed with contractors.

There will then be a bid process. When all the bids are collected, Walter said they will assemble the proper individuals to determine who the contractors will be.
 

CTS will soon meet with a few members of the construction technical committee, building and grounds committee and transition committee. They will go through the plan laid out and discuss potential options for office relocations.

Once these are figured out, Walter said a meeting will be set up with the whole transition committee. At that time, they will discuss schedules of what areas will be worked on first and how long of duration is anticipated [for the work].

When that information has been discussed with the transition committee, Walter said they can decide what alternate locations will work best.

Scully Park Fountain update

Walter is working with a contractor on plans for the Scully Park Fountain. Walter said the contractor has contacted people about pump mechanisms.

The contractor is taking measurements of the current fountain. Walter said the contractor is reviewing these measurements with manufacturers to get the best, most efficient assembly of products for the fountain.

In a week or two, Walter said they should have a proposal from the contractor.

Facilities Manager position

At the regular board meeting in May, the board approved hiring Christopher Wilson to serve as the county facilities manager at a salary of $52,000 per year.

What Board Chairman Emily Davenport said the full board recommends is performance reviews after 60, 120 and 180 days. That will help prove the board is being diligent with restoration money.
 

Areas Blankenship will be reviewing are Wilson’s hands-on and administrative capabilities.

When problems occur at other county buildings, Davenport said Wilson may be sent to check them out.

With maintenance and management, Blankenship said there will be significant hands-on work.

At the Building and Grounds Committee meeting, Wilson officially accepted the position. He will start June 14 and his regular hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

On days when there are early morning meetings, Wilson may need to come in earlier. Committee members said there should be some latitude and adjustments to his schedule as needed.

The question Wilson had was about the expectations and what he will be reviewed on. Wilson wants time to acclimate to the job, and said he does not want to lose it after 60 or 120 days because he is not meeting expectations.

Blankenship said they would be reviewing Wilson’s capability to perform tasks like changing lights out and fixing doors. During the first month, Blankenship will help acclimate Wilson to current projects and what is pending.

Though the primary focus will be on the courthouse, Davenport said Blankenship will take Wilson out to animal control and other county buildings. That way, Wilson can become somewhat familiar with them.

At some point, Wilson will also likely be trained on the new heating and cooling system.

In the position of facilities manager, Wilson will answer to the building and grounds committee and the board.

[Angela Reiners]