09/19/2007: "PW Proposes New Work To Fix Old Work"

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(PW Director Jon Shannon presents options & a proposal for new courthouse addition)

Looking for a golden lining in leaking walls, Public Works Director Jon Shannon has proposed a 4000 square foot, two story addition to the courthouse as a way to solve two ongoing problems.

The first problem is leaking walls in the addition to the original court house that was added on a number of years ago prior to Shannon’s arrival. The exterior walls leaked into the interior of the building. Shannon explained the leaks resulted from a lack of flashing the contractor failed to install, and that the architect and the County failed to notice had not been installed.

While a settlement was reached with the contractor after the problem had been identified, the wall has continued to leak, and according to Shannon there is now a concern the retaining fastenings may be deteriorating.

As a partial solution to the worse of the walls, Shannon presented repair options, one of which was a proposed for a two story addition to the building that would simply turn the problem exterior wall into a “new” interior wall for the proposed addition; and would also solve some of the space needs that continue to plague the County.

Shannon did not present a budget for the project, and the county members did not ask about expected costs if they choose to explore the proposal. County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord was present, and we asked him if the County would have to sell more bonds to finance such a project, and he said “Probably; yes.”

There was some open time on the council agenda in the afternoon for addition discussion, but the council was running a little short on council members. Councilman Myhr is on vacation again, and Councilman Peterson also, and since Councilman Kevin Ranker had disappeared again after lunch for a personal appointment, it was impossible for Vice-Chairman Howard Rosenfeld to move forward with direction to Administrator Pete Rose. It is not expected the problem of the walls, or the proposal for the addition will be discussed unit the Council is up and running again with a full complement of members.