Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, December 18, 2013
(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners approved an energy service agreement in contingency that the county can come up with the needed funds to replace the heating and air conditioning units in the courthouse.
Mark Heirbrandt of Ameresco, who is overseeing the updating of courthouse's antiquated heating/cooling system, told the commissioners the project will cost the county $1.255 million dollars, but that price is more than $55,800 over what the commissioners had agreed to pay to replace the units.
The commissioners agreed to accept the terms of the contract, however they first must get the approval of the county council to spend the extra money.
"I want to stress that we will accept the contract on the contingency that the council approves the funding," says Commissioner President Bill Spreen. "We will approve the contract,but not the notice to proceed."
Michael Conley of Architura, who is overseeing the replacement of the courthouses' 100 plus windows gave the commissioners an update on the project presenting them with a summary of cost estimates for the windows. Companies wanting to bid on the window replacements can request information on the project beginning today.
In other business:
* The commissioners heard a presentation from Mike Keeven, of DLZ, about the possibility of doing a ADA Transaction Plan for the county to meet the federal guidelines for the American's Disability Act.
If the county does not meet the ADA standards and does not have an ADA Transaction Plan in place the Federal Highway Administration and the Indiana Department of Transportation could withhold funding for highway and bridge construction.
The commissioners asked that Keeven gather information on the estimated cost and requirements for the project and report back to the commissioners.
* The commissioners approved a contract for the Health Department to hire a part-time nurse to work while a nurse is on maternity leave.
* Randy Smith, of 39 degrees North, presented the commissioners with a year-end report. According to Smith, more than 77,380 visited and used the Lawrence County geographic information systems website in 2013. Of those 11,826 were mobile users.
* Lawrence County Highway Superintendent Dave Holmes says the county spent an estimated $49,000 and used more than 37,000 tons of materials on the roadways during the last two snow falls. Holmes says those cost do not reflect the cost of over-time hours or fuel expenses.
* Sheriff Sam Craig reported as of Tuesday morning there were 143 inmates housed in the jail. Of those, 25 are women and 13 are Department of Correction holds.
He also told the commissioners, that crews are painting the interior of the jail and that project should be complete in another week or so.
Craig also requested the commissioners consider adopting an ordinance addressing the guide lines for towing of vehicles. County Attorney Dave Smith will draft an ordinance with specifics for the commissioners approval.
* The commissioners accepted the final report for the new South Lawrence water tower.
* Approved the bid for Tri-County Engineering to do snow removal at the courthouse, the courthouse plaza and at the sheriff's department.
* The commissioners agreed to allow the Lawrence County Soil and Water District to work on CPR contracts in other counties, which will bring in a little over $500 to the district.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.