Public Works Fleet Maintenance Facility construction-bid decision delayed
The Pottawatomie County Commission has decided to delay accepting a bid for the construction of the Public Works Fleet Maintenance Facility for at least another week.
The county received a bid that came in about $300,000 beneath the projected cost of the project, allowing for building enhancements that were originally taken out of the budget.
Public Works Director Peter Clark says the low bid creates room in the budget for these enhancements, but there are some architecture and engineering costs that could take the project slightly over budget.
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Commissioner Pat Weixelman decided not to vote, saying he wants to take a closer look at the project costs before making a decision.
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Some of the optional building enhancements include a thicker floor, an increased building width and insulated panels.
The commission will rediscuss Fleet Maintenance Facility costs at their meeting next Monday at 8:30 a.m..
Campbell Rd. improvements
The Pottawatomie County Commission discussed a proposal from the Westmoreland City Council that the county pay for 75 percent of improvements on Campbell Rd. while the city pays for the other 25 percent.
Improvements on the table included a new foundation for the road as well as three inches of asphalt laid on top.
After receiving this offer, the county commission proposed paying for one-third of the improvement costs while the city would pay for two-thirds and would then completely take over maintenance costs of Campbell Rd..
County commissioners also proposed adding one inch of asphalt to the city council’s original proposal, bringing the total amount of asphalt in their offer to four inches.
With four inches of asphalt, the improvements would cost about $230,000.
However, Pottawatomie County and the City of Westmoreland currently have an agreement that states each entity must pay for half the cost of maintenance and improvements to Campbell Rd..
The two groups are holding a meeting today to discuss this matter.
US-24/Green Valley Rd. intersection
Pottawatomie County is now a couple steps closer to beginning improvements on the intersection of US-24 and Green Valley Road
These steps include approving the payment of about $65,000 in additional engineering fees and certifying to KDOT that the county will complete all right of way acquisitions. Despite this progress, Public Works Director Peter Clark says the project is over budget.
The commission decided Monday not to move forward with paying about $375,000 for construction inspection services to supplement in-house county inspectors.
Commissioner Pat Weixelman says he wants to explore cheaper alternatives.
The projected cost is about $5.7 million, with KDOT paying about $3.1 million, Pottawatomie County paying about $2.6 million and Blue Township on the hook for about $93,000.
Motor graders
Pottawatomie County may soon be the owner of a new motor grader.
The county commission recently tasked the public works department with comparing the prices of various models of motor graders.
In doing so, the county not only found a John Deere model that is cheaper than the Caterpillar-brand of motor grader it typically goes with, but was able to give public works employees input in the decision.
That was Assistant Public Works Director Dustin Newman, who says the almost $260,000 price tag of the motor grader will be supplemented by the selling of two older motor graders owned by the county.
The two motor graders are projected to sell at auction for about $60,000 a piece.
Public Works recently sold another motor grader at auction at the direction of the commission for about 60 thousand dollars in order to test out a new equipment-auctioning service.
County appraiser announces retirement
After 16 years as the Pottawatomie County Appraiser, Lois Schlegel has announced her retirement.
In her announcement during the county commission meeting Monday, Schlegel thanked current and former commissioners for their support and reflected on her career.
Prior to beginning her career with Pottawatomie County, Schlegel spent eight years in the Onaga area as a real estate broker where she worked with her father.
Schlegel worked a total of 23 years for Pottawatomie County.
Her last official day is June 30th.
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