County preps for pre-bid meeting for fairgrounds project

Tamara Gregor, The Duncan Banner, Okla.
·3 min read

Mar. 12—Mandatory pre-bids will open the way for renovations to continue at the Stephens County Fairgrounds next week.

Ken Shaw, construction manager at-risk with Hope Equipment and Construction, told the commissioners Monday they would be ready to have a pre-bid meeting for the Stephens County Fairgrounds at 10:30 a.m. March 21.

The projects are part of the county's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending.

Shaw said the bid date is April 1 at the office of the Stephens County Commissioners.

"Everything looks good so far," he said.

Shaw said there are 28 packages to the fairgrounds renovation project.

After the update, Chairman Russell Morgan opened discussion for an agreement with Kone, Inc. and Stephens County for the Stephens County Jail. He said the agreement would be to perform inspections for the jail elevator.

Inspections would include landing doors and door operator inspection, as well as any minor adjustments for $1,473.38.

Morgan said the agreement would also be for the machinery inspection, as well as any minor adjustments for $1,629.15 and the hoistway cleandown for $3,232.43.

Maintenance Director Steve Kaeser said they've always taken care of these inspections, but he said the state inspector said there was liability.

"I will still continue to take care of door switches, stuff like that," he said.

As far as the mechanical aspect, he said they would let someone else perform the inspections because of liability reasons.

Commissioner Todd Churchman said the county takes care of the elevator for the public and the jail elevator is restricted for inmates and personnel to go between the jail and the second floor.

"It's not something we would take care of at all," he said. "If they deemed necessary — the jail, which would be the Sheriff's Office, (would) approve to do that."

Kaeser said the jail elevator is rarely used.

Churchman recommended approval if the Sheriff's Office will pay for the cost from jail funds.

Kaeser said it still passes inspection, but this is a maintenance agreement.

The board approved the agreement if the cost comes out of jail funds.

Morgan opened another agreement with Kone, Inc. and Stephens County for the courthouse elevator.

He said the agreement would be for the same inspections and potential costs as the jail elevator.

The board approved the agreement.

In other news, the board approved:

—To adopt an amendment to a resolution to accept overage of 500 tons of oil-based drill cuttings from Backyard Environmental for Stephens County District #1; 1,800 tons were previously accepted by the board Feb. 5.

—To accept a donation of 875 tons of oil-based drill cuttings from Backyard Environmental for Stephens County District #1.

—Two cooperative agreements in District 1 and one cooperative agreement in District 3.

—Four fairground use agreements for: A widow's banquet in Territory Hall and the Harvest Room March 26, Halliburton Reunion in Territory Hall on April 20, a concert in the Livestock Arena on Sept. 29 and a birthday party in Territory Hall and the Harvest Room on May 11.

The Stephens County Commission will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 18 at the Stephens County Courthouse.