Commissioners set open house for annex building

Carroll County commissioners discussed progress on the county annex building and preparations for a public open house during their March 5 meeting.

Commissioners announced plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house at the annex building March 19. The event will begin with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. followed by guided tours of the completed phase 1 areas of the building until 6 p.m.

“I think it’s really important that the public comes and views and sees what we’ve accomplished,” Commissioner Donald Leggett II said. “It’s going to give them a better understanding of the annex building.”

Leggett said consolidating several county offices into the annex will reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the need to maintain multiple buildings and parking lots.

Commissioner Robert Wirkner reported that the county’s Emergency Management Agency has begun moving into the annex building following approval of the temporary occupancy permit. EMA is currently setting up its Emergency Operations Center.

Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Ed Eick told commissioners that several remaining items are being addressed as departments prepare to move into the building. One issue discovered during renovations involved uninsulated heating and cooling ductwork in the former pool area, which will be used for county storage.

Eick said insulation must be installed before the ceiling and lighting can be completed to prevent condensation from damaging the space.

“If we don’t wrap it, it’s going to sweat,” Commissioner Donald Leggett II said during discussion. “It’ll leak moisture down on the new ceiling and end up ruining it.”

Commissioners approved $14,000 for Crown Heating and Cooling to insulate the ductwork.

Leggett said the former pool room will become storage space for county records and equipment, helping eliminate off-site storage costs.

“That room will be used for county storage,” Leggett said.

“We’ve got storage facilities here, there and everywhere that we’re paying rent on,” said Wirkner. “Is this going to eliminate the need for these spaces?”

“It is going to eliminate the rent and all be in-house,” Leggett said.

Eick also provided an update on preparations for departments moving into the building, noting that construction debris has been cleared from the lower parking lot, address signage has been installed, custodial supplies have been stocked and mailboxes are ready to be installed.

In an unrelated matter, Wirkner provided an update on Tier II hazardous materials reporting, noting that most facilities have now complied with the annual reporting deadline.

“We had a number of Tier II reporters that were delinquent,” Wirkner said. “From that time to this, we’ve shaved that number down to three.”

Wirkner said companies that fail to submit required reports after a grace period could face fines.

In other business, commissioners:

—APPROVED Change Order No. 15 for the annex project, reducing the contract amount by $60,431.

—APPROVED a blanket work order for East Township for permacoat mix.

—APPROVED a road use maintenance agreement with Cardinal Gas Services LLC for use of 2.6 miles of Canyon Road, County Road 54, Southeast for a well connection repair project.

—APPROVED special hauling permits for Irish Creek Logging LLC for Cashmere Road, County Road 58 in Perry Township and for DeNoon Lumber Company LLC for April Road, County Road 13 in Fox Township.

—APPROVED an agreement with BSHM Architects to complete design work for phase two of the annex building project. Commissioners said the work will help support applications for additional grant funding.

—HEARD the February report from Dog Warden Merle Long showing nine dogs impounded, four adopted out, four redeemed, none euthanized, three citations for no license and eight citations for dogs running at large.

—RECEIVED the February report from Recorder Patricia Oyer showing 781 documents filed. They also received the February report from Sheriff Calvin Graham showing 1,724 meals served and 175 washes completed.

—PAID the bills of $294,740.30.