The
Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in special session on
Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren
Taylor, Commissioner
Chair
Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order and explained the purpose of the
meeting.
Frank
Randel explained reasons for renovating the Courthouse including the main
reason of the
Frank
Randel explained the current usage of the downstairs area.
Frank
Randel continued reviewing renovations included in this project.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon, County Manager Don Adams and Frank Randel talked about
bathroom access from the courtroom.
Chair
Eldon Edwards and Frank Randel talked about the balcony, stairway and losing
one row of seating in the courtroom.
Frank
Randel stated that one parking space will be lost on the side, replacing the
back retaining wall and the steps, replacing the plumbing and mechanical. He explained the mechanical alternates with
M1 replacing the courtroom unit and run duct work near the ceiling in the
courtroom.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor, Commissioner Ken Richardson and Frank Randel discussed the
differences between M1 and M2 and the airflow with M1.
Frank
Randel explained the general window repairs covered under the base bid. He further explained the alternates that deal
with the windows.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor, County Manager Don Adams and Frank Randel talked about new
windows versus redoing the existing the windows, the Courthouse being on the
National Historic Registry and keeping the window design because of the
historical society’s recommendations.
Frank
Randel continued explaining the alternates that deal with the windows.
The
Board of Commissioners and Frank Randel discussed tinted windows.
Frank
Randel explained one alternate replaces the carpet in the courtroom.
The
Board of Commissioners and Frank Randel talked about the sound in the courtroom
and the age of the current carpet.
Frank
Randel continued explaining the alternates including waterproofing the
exterior.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about the waterproofing maintenance
schedule.
Frank
Randel talked about leaving the plaster since it is part of the character of
the building, methods to conceal the updated wiring and new walls having
drywall installed. He explained the
alternates dealing with the underground propane tank.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about if the propane company
supplies the tank, then the County is locked into buying from that supplier
regardless of their price.
The
Board of Commissioners talked about the price for stone facing on the wall to match
the walls near the road.
Frank
Randel talked about the drop ceiling and redoing the lighting system.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson and Frank Randel talked about upgrading the fluorescent
lights. They also talked about replacing
the roof in the base bid.
Frank
Randel explained reasons that affected the higher construction price including
the hurricanes affecting fuel and construction material prices and there is
plenty of construction work in the mountain-area.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon asked about the $300,000 price difference between the
lowest base bid and the next closest base bid.
Frank
Randel stated that he went over everything with Vannoy’s estimator, talked
several times, and he even talked to Dave’s Construction to compare notes on
their bid. He further stated that they
found one area of concern but it wasn’t enough to withdraw their bids. He reminded everyone that they are required
to have performance bonds, too.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor reviewed the options that the Board has today: leaving out the
alternates, which he doesn’t recommend; go out to bid again but the bid may be
higher; delay the project until economic times are better.
Frank
Randel talked about the
County
Manager Don Adams reviewed other options the Board has; major construction
negotiations and re-bid or redesign the facility and re-bid. He talked about the highest priorities in
this project but everything is needed.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon asked where the money would come from for this project.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Frank Randel discussed the small amount of savings if the basement
wasn’t remodeled since the mechanical room and elevator room must be done.
Chair
Eldon Edwards talked about this is a golden opportunity with the
Commissioner
Ken Richardson stated that he has a great deal of respect for the Board but is
concerned about the 3.5-4 million dollars that has been spent on old buildings
and patching things as we go. He further
stated that he doesn’t know where the money is coming from. He reminded everyone of the schools’
needs. He stated that he is just sharing
his opinion.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to move forward with Vannoy. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the
motion. Vote 4:0.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon stated alternates G2, G3, G4, G6, G8, G9, G10, G12, G13,
M1, E1 for a total construction price of $1,770,043 and contingency.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Frank Randel talked about the windows and the National
Historic Registry.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon asked Frank Randel to check on prices for all new windows.
Frank
Randel stated that he will ask the contractor to get an estimate on the
windows.
Commissioner
Sandy Carter Herndon stated that yes, proceed with the $2,046,048.
Chair
Eldon Edwards said to set the public hearing on October 17 and Frank Randel to
check on the windows.
Being no further business, Commissioner
Ken Richardson made a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully
submitted,
Clerk to the Board
Attest:
Eldon Edwards
Chairman