02-18-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--February 18, 2003 2562 13. CONTRACT APPROVAL, Steven D. MottinQer: North Dakota Department of ,.-. Transportation: Family Healthcare Center MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve the following contracts submitted by respective department head, subject to state's attorney approval, and authorize the chairman to sign: On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Steven D. Mottinger --2003 contract for indigent defendants; North Dakota Department of Transportation--traffic safety grant in the amount of $1,200.00 for sending one officer to the National Lifesavers Conference; Family Healthcare Center--jail medical services. 14. JAIUSHERIFF RESIDENCE, Demolition bids awarded In a letter dated February 6,2003, Mr. Merlan Paaverud, State Historical Society Director, informed the county commission that the State Historical Society of North Dakota does not object to the removal of the former Cass County Jail because it appears its structural integrity and usefulness has diminished to the point where it is no longer a viable structure for Cass County. They did, however, recommend the former sheriff's residence be retained, and Mr. Paaverud provided a sketch of how it might be incorporated in the overall design by moving the proposed west addition to the north and east of where it is proposed. "" At the request of Chairman Wagner, Rick Hoganson of Foss Associates, provided comments on the State Historical Society's suggestions regarding the location of a proposed Courthouse west addition. Mr. Hoganson said it would not be as easy to implement the State Historical Society's plan as it may first appear. He provided a list of 17 concerns with moving the proposed addition to a different part of the block, including the potential for structural instability requiring supportive shoring for the Sheriff's Residence and the courthouse, possibly requiring the windows to be blocked off on the west side of the courthouse to meet fire codes because the new building would be less than 12' from the existing building; redrawing schematic plans; and the potential for additional costs to county taxpayers of $500,000 - $750,000 to protect the courthouse and sheriff's residence during construction with the close proximity of a new building. In talking with the architect about proposed connecting links between the county buildings, Mr. Bennett asked if the proposed 10th Street pedestrian crossing could be underground instead of overhead. Mr. Hoganson said there would be more costs associated with an underground connection due to all of the utilities and services buried at different levels, and obtaining permission to go under a State trunk highway would be more complicated. Preliminary approval has been granted tor an overhead walkway, he said. The chairman next called on Robert Hoy, Attorney with the Ohnstad Twichell Law Firm, retained by the board as outside legal counsel. Mr. Hoy said it is his opinion that the board of commissioners is acting within its full legal authority to award bids on the demolition of both the tormer jail and sheriff's residence, if that is the decision made today. ,-. Terry Stroh, Architect for the demolition project, was also present and addressed the board at this time on the bids that were opened January 16, 2003, tor demolition ot the buildings. The low bidder tor the demolition work was Industrial Builders, Inc. with a base bid of $178,000.00, and there are some alternates the county will need to address.