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Last updated on Wednesday, January 10, 2018
(BEDFORD) - Southern Indiana Development Commission Rex Knight opened 10 bids for the demolition of the old Huron School at the Lawrence County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday morning.
The county received a $230,000 grant, funded by the Office of Community Rural Affairs, which will be used to demolish the old school and restore the property to a green space. The county will pay $27,500 of the total cost, which will be paid with riverboat funds.
Engineers estimate the cost of the project at $257,500. Bids ranged from $67,700 to $224,000.
The bids were taken under advisement and one will be awarded at the Jan. 23 commissioners meeting.
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Lawrence County Highway Superintendent David Holmes says so far six companies have shown interest in replacing Bridge 67 on Lawrenceport Road. The now 96 foot bridge over Sugar Creek will be replaced with a 110 foot bridge at an estimated cost of half a million dollars. Bids for the project are due on Jan. 23.
Lawrence highway crews continue to cold patch roadways and are preparing for a possible winter storm which is due to hit the area beginning Friday.
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With the threat of bad weather moving into the area, Lawrence County Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer reminded the commissioners about the county's travel status warnings. The commissioners, along with Highway Director David Holmes, Sheriff Mike Branham and Luchauer together decide when a warning is issued.
Red - Warning
The highest level of local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a "warning" local travel advisory, individuals are directed to:
(A) refrain from all travel;
(B) comply with necessary emergency measures;
(C) cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and
(D) obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
Orange - Watch
Means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. During a "watch" local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.
Yellow - Advisory
The lowest level of local travel advisory, means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.
Luchauer presented the Mitchell City County with the county's Hazard Mitigation plan which they passed. Luchauer says she will present the plan to the Oolitic Town Council and the Bedford City Council at the end of this month. A copy of the plan is available for public view in the auditor's office.
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As of Tuesday morning, Sheriff Mike Branham reported that there were 171 inmates housed at the jail, of those 42 were females, 13 were Level 6 felons and there were no Department of Correction holds.
Sheriff Branham says the jail passed its most recent fire inspection.
The commissioners approve RQAW Corporation to begin work on the sewer project at the jail. Sheriff Branham is looking into installing grinders in the sewer systems to address the problem of inmates flushing the wrappers from items they purchase on commissary down the toilets clogging the city's sewer lines.
"Once RQAW is done we will have an idea on what the project will look like and cost," Sheriff Branham added. "We have asked them to look at a couple of different options."
Sheriff Branham also requested funds to purchase new tires and a heating coil for a pickup truck they acquired in a drug forfeiture case. The truck is currently being used by a county employee to haul items like trash and recycling from the jail. Currently, Sheriff Branham has no money in the department's vehicle account to pay for the needed repairs.
The commissioners asked Highway Superintendent David Holmes if he had any money in his vehicle repair account that could address the repairs since the vehicle is now registered as a county vehicle. Holmes said he would look at the accounts and get back with the commissioners.
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The commissioners approved Chad Shew's request to apply for a $32,226 Juvenile Community Corrections Grant. There is also a possibility the county could be awarded an additional $12,750.
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Kathy McDowell from the Lawrence County Public Defender's office requested the commissioner to sign a three month contract to retain their social worker until federal funds are released to pay her salary.
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The commissioners heard recommendations from Assessor April Collins on a rassessment contract
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