Published: June 11, 2009 11:19 pm      

JeffCo’s courthouse improvements project takes step forward

WAURIKA — A new construction company will get a shot at completing one of the county’s longest-standing tasks, after the Jefferson County Commissioners accepted a bid for work on what has become known as the “courthouse improvements project.”

During a regular meeting at the county courthouse, the commissioners accepted a bid of $79,950 from BME Construction. The Hastings-based company is to complete all remaining work on a multi-stage project that began over 12 years ago, and was initially prompted by a federal mandate to bring the courthouse into compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) stipulations.

Over the years, various construction firms have tackled the task and some progress has been made. An elevator shaft and elevator were installed, along with other ADA-required improvements inside and outside the courthouse.

There’s been renovation of the district courtroom and some offices and hallways, as well as installation of electrical wiring and other general improvements.

County finances have played a role in the slow pace of the project and several construction companies have been involved. In spring 2008, county officials thought the project was near completion. But at that point, LMR Construction had to cease work and asked to be released from its contract with the county. No work has since been accomplished.

Still to be addressed by BME are securely connecting the elevator shaft to the main building, completing the shaft’s exterior facade and work in hallways inside the courthouse.

Addressing another construction task, the three commissioners unanimously approved an estimate for work at the Jefferson County Health Department office on Anderson St.

In May, Mendy Spohn, administrative director of the JCHD, reported to the commissioners that the building was experiencing water leaks during rainfalls. At that time, she asked to be allowed to get repair estimates for a project to seal the building’s foundation and provide better drainage.

Spohn returned an estimate of $7,082 from Power Jack of Norman to install a swell drain and seal the concrete foundation on the west and east sides of the building, and the commissioners approved.

In other action, the commissioners approved:

• Interlocal agreements with the City of Waurika and Town of Addington, which permit those communities access to county equipment for various tasks and projects.

• A claim to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for reimbursement of $20,571.65 to District 2 for bridge project CB134D(063).

• A renewal quote of $95,040 for Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACCO) property and liability insurance and a resolution pertaining to that renewal.

• A resolution by which any commissioner, acting on a recommendation from the county sheriff’s office, could make the determination to close the courthouse due to bad weather, and have the sheriff’s office contact all county officers about the closing.

• Setting 4 p.m. on June 22 as the deadline to encumber purchase orders for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

• Changing the date of a regular meeting from July 15 to July 13 due to a conflict with the ACCO summer conference.

• Holding a special meeting on July 1 so appropriations can be approved for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

• Action on claims and authorization of blanket purchase orders.

• Action on official county reports.

• Minutes from a regular meeting on June 1.

There were six agenda items tabled, including a discussion of an intergovernmental agreement between the sheriff’s office, the Jefferson County Economic Development Authority and the commissioners, and a final presentation and possible action on the 2009 personnel and safety handbooks by county safety officer Michael Jeffcoat.

Also tabled were discussion and possible action on: a five-year bridge plan; projects for 250C103 funds; projects and resolutions for an emergency transportation plan; a capitol improvement plan; the county taking out unemployment insurance for FY ’09-10; and setting a date for a representative of the Oklahoma State and Education Employment Group Insurance Board to speak with county employees about insurance options.