Sangamon Sun

Menard County Board of Commissioners met July 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Menard County Public Building Study Group (PBSG), an advisory board appointed by the Menard County Board of Commissioners, met on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at the Menard County Courthouse located at 102 South Seventh Street, Petersburg. Menard County Commissioners, Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Jeff Fore, Troy Commings and Rich Brauer along with PBSG Member Steve Ozella and PBSG Member Dan Ortgessen were in attendance. Menard County Animal Control Administrator Terrance O’Brien, DVM, County Engineer Corey Dowd, Sheriff Mark Oller and Coordinator Dara Worthington were also in attendance.

PBSG Chair Ozella called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

PBSG Member Ortgessen made a motion to approve the June 7, 2023, meeting minutes. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded. Motion carried.

There were no citizens for public comment.

The first order of business was the presentation of new signage to Menard County Public Building Study Group Member Dan Ortgessen renaming the Menard County Animal Control Building to the Ortgessen Building in honor of his dedication and countless hours of work dedicated to the construction of the building. Congratulations were expressed by all individuals present. Upon conclusion of the special presentation, Terrance O’Brien, DVM and Commissioners Fore, Cummings and Brauer left the meeting.

The window replacement project was up for discussion first. It was reported that the county does have an architect that was engaged for a set of drawings for the project. Due to the size of the project, it is more than likely the architect will assist with or write the RFP for the project. It was noted that the work should be bid in multiple way including with removal of the old windows, without removal of the old windows, disposal of the old windows and with a special clause regarding expressed terms.

Work on the courthouse dome was the next item presented. It was noted that there will be a meeting with a company the following morning to look at the dome to gain a better understanding of the work that may be needed to restore it. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the work to be done as it relates to the necessary funding methods, ceiling work in the courtroom, order of work completed, and the RFP process and preparer.

County Engineer Corey Dowd reported that his last report indicated that construction on the new office building should begin in August. Dowd noted that the site will soon be staked.

An overview was given on the ongoing projects at Sunny Acres Nursing Home which include the hear completion of the shower room project, the proposed construction of a shared pole barn for both Sunny Acres and Countryside Estates and oiling/chipping of the Sunny Acres parking lot. Dowd noted that oiling and chipping will also be done at Ortgessen Building.

County Board Chair Lott reported that it was the intent of the commissioners to expend the balance of the ARPA funds on the preliminary work needed to complete repair work on the courthouse dome.

With no further business going before the board, PBSG Member Ortgessen made a motion to adjourn, and Commissioner Whitcomb seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 PM.

https://menardcountyil.com/files/5416/8919/0964/PBSG_minutes_07.05.2023.pdf