Supervisors review final facilities assessment

     Representatives from Shive-Hattery, Inc., Aaron Davis and Chris Nelson presented their final facilities assessment to the Jones County Supervisors during their May 15 meeting.

     The report included suggestions related to the building’s envelope, architecture system, and security. Both short-term/immediate and long-term fixes were discussed, items that the county could take on in-house, as well as projects that would require more work by an outside contractor.

     “We did not find any structural deficiencies,” reported Davis of the courthouse itself. He said the roof is also is decent shape. “Nothing seems to require immediate attention.”

     From an architectural standpoint, Shive-Hattery pointed out several areas of the courthouse that are not up to ADA code.

     “The building does not meet current code,” said Davis.

     Should the county take on a major remodel inside the courthouse, the facility would lose its grandfather clause, and would have to be brought into compliance. “But nothing we saw warranted a major remodel, so you should be ok,” said Davis.

     The same is true for the installation of a sprinkler system.

     “If you do a full remodel, that would be required,” added Davis.

     Some items, the team said, are “pretty easy modifications,” such as bringing the public restrooms up to ADA code. However, some items, such as installing an ADA-accessible drinking fountain, might be more difficult to take on.

     “Some things you’re stuck with what you have because this is an old building,” said Nelson. “Some of these things can’t be addressed.”

     In terms of security, Davis said there are issues they noticed with the elevator not being tied into the courthouse’s fire alarm system.

     Nelson also noticed a strong odor in the Sheriff’s Department evidence room. “You have no ventilation there,” he said.

     Sticking with ADA code, not having ADA access throughout the Sheriff’s Office area could also be an issue if the county hired someone who required a ramp to get around.

     Sheriff Greg Graver said coming this fall, his department will be changing over to video visitation services for the jail inmates. This would negate the need for ADA access, and eliminate those issues.

     Something that County Auditor Janine Sulzner said has been brought up in the past is securing the courthouse after hours.

     “You don’t have restricted access to the courthouse after hours,” said Davis.

     Nelson added that the common spaces throughout the courthouse are open to whoever might still be inside the building. Sulzner said the department offices should all be locked after hours.

     Graver said when the security cameras were installed throughout the courthouse and at all of the entrances, the dispatch department is able to monitor activity within the building 24/7.

In other county business:

     • The board approved directing the County Audtior to request proposals from local banks to process a single-day loan transition for the county for up to $400,000.

     • Jones County Veterans Affairs Administrator Susan Yario shared information with the board regarding the Veterans Affairs Annual Open House on June 12. The event this year will be held in Wapsiana Park Pavilion in Anamosa.

     Yario said last year they had 80 attendees with the event in Monticello.

     “It was a great year,” she said.

     This year, Yario invited more vendors and speakers to attend. A meal is also provided for the veterans.

     • The board approved a contract with Custom Dozing & Crane Service, Inc. in Wyoming to remove structures, the foundation and a concrete parking area at county-owned property at 311 W. Main St. in Wyoming (former Dirks Oil Station).

     • County Engineer Derek Snead reported that contract rock is in its final days. Weber Stone, the biggest rock vendor, was expected to be done by the end of this week.

     “Possibly by the end of this week, all contract rock should be done,” he said. “it should all be done by Memorial Day, which is good.”

     • Snead reported on two bridge structures on 50^th Avenue northwest of Oxford Junction that will temporarily shut down, starting this week, weather permitting. He said the Secondary Roads crew will rehab the structures with the hopes of eliminating the load limits.

     “It should be a fairly quick turn-around with our crew,” said Snead.

     • The Bluebird Road and bridge project is on hold due to the wet weather. Snead said the contractor should start during the first week in June, and it should take roughly six weeks to build a new bridge.

     “If we get decent weather, they could be done by mid-August,” said Snead.

     • The wet weather has also hampered the pavement marking project. KAM Line has been working its way throughout the county and the cities of Monticello and Anamosa painting pavement markings. The humid weather last week delayed the drying time.

     Snead said the project should be completed within the next couple of weeks.