Sangamon Sun

Logan County Board Building & Grounds Committee met Oct. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mr. Wessbecher called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present: Mr. Wessbecher, Mrs. Schmidt, Mr. Sanders, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Davenport Absent:

Guests: Nila Smith, Bobby Jackson, Bill Walter, George Menken, Brad Swim, Katrina Sanders, Penny Thomas, Kate Wright, Theresa Moore, Kelly Elias, Lisa Bobb, Rich, Gil Turner, Chris Wilson, Rich

MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES: September 5, 2023, Mrs. Davenport makes a motion to approve the minutes of September 5, 2023, motion carries.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Back up internet provider at Courthouse Mr. Wessbecher and Mrs. Davenport have a short conversation, they decide to investigate and talk next month.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Restoration Project Update- Mr. Walter addresses the committee and guest about progress with the Courthouse Restoration. The scaffolding is almost completely down exposing the cupola and most of the dome. The project is getting to wear Durable can come back and complete their work, which couldn’t be completed until the majority of copperwork was done. The beams will be removed and then the base of dome can be assessed and then decide what can be done with it, also depending on what the grant allows. Mrs. Schmidt asks questions about the scaffolding, Mr. Walter answers. Mrs. Schmidt comments that she only saw two people working. Mr. Walter responds that is a tedious process to take it down. The process is strategic and part of that is only having a few people on scaffolding. Mrs. Schmidt asks Mr. Walter if he owns American Scaffolding, He responds that he does not own American Scaffolding he has a consulting business, that goes to high rise buildings to inspect and certify scaffolding systems that are used. Mrs. Shmidt asks why a scaffolding business from Illinois wasn’t used. Mr. Walter says when they were attempting to get a scaffolding company the cost of the Illinois one was approximately $600,000 more. Mr. Wessbecher says he would like to move on, Mr. Walter gives answers to some of the questions that had been raised at previous meetings. How many days was the scaffolding used? 11 days in August by a variety of people, Mr. Walter visited the site 7 days in August. Mr. Walter says he had very little written contact, most of the communication was via email or text. Mr. Walter states that a written report hasn’t been provided because typically over the years, he has attended the B&G, workshop and sometimes the Full Board meetings, and is able to discuss in person the restoration. Verbal exchanges in meetings, that are taped etc. have been successful in the past. Mr. Walter answers another question about how much he has been paid to date. Mr. Turner provides him with a figure of $665,000.00 over the life of the project September to August of 2023. Mr. Walter states that there are two contracts, Mr. Wessbecher explains the process that used involving the referendum and why the process was broke down the way it was. Mr. Sanders offers that he remembers the first contract was to come in and make assessments and recommendations. Mr. Turner asked what has been completed for the 8.6 million that has been spent, Mr. Walter says geothermal, Electrical, and plumbing upgrades, new copper on the dome, removal of existing copper and fiberglass including repairs to substrate, a complete membrane system, new windows on the cupola. Mr. Turner asks about the ongoing issues with leaks, Mr. Walter states that those are still being remediated. Mr. Wessbecher mentions that some of the water issues at the courthouse were due to an issue that Chirs Wilson had identified in the basement, Mr. Wilson talks about he roof drain that runs to the basement there are two holes on either side, any time the chase fills up it overflows. Mr. Wilson says he has had conversations with a few other people about how to fix it. Mr. Wilson states he thinks there is a debris build up, Mr. Turner says he feels the pipe isn’t big enough. Mr. Turner asks about the next big project. Mr. Walter points out that in the packet there is a list of items. Mr. Walter talks about the referendum and that process that was used to develop a plan to take the public when the referendum was presented to Logan County. Mr. Walter mentions the windows and replacing all the windows at the courthouse, there is a metal option and installation. Mr. Walter had talked to the board about getting wooden windows that would be a replication of the original, that would get the courthouse back into the good graces of the preservation society of Illinois, in turn qualifying the county for more grant funds. A specific grant for the windows would be available. Mr. Walter explains the quote that is in the packet for windows. Mr. Elias asks Mr. Wessbecher to clarify the 8.6 million has covered, she mentions that some items that were listed are not complete for example removing the PTAC units, Mr. Walter states they will be removed but there are no additional charges (already paid) Mr. Walter says the packet has all the information about what has been paid, and what still needs to be done and how much money will be left to pay for those projects. Phase 2 in the packet, due to prices everything cannot be done, so the county is prioritizing the work that needs to be done, Mr. Walter gives the example of flag poles on each corner of the roof, it would be nice but not needed in comparison a new security system is needed. Through discussion and evaluation with members of the Board, Security upgrades, IT upgrades, courtroom upgrades, there are standards that are mandated by the State of Illinois. Mr. Walter states the project has been long due to finding people, especially post covid, which has already driven prices up. Mr. Walter goes over the list of items that are priority. Mr. Turner asks if there is a stopping point, or a cap on what is spent on the courthouse restoration. Mr. Walter explains they don’t want to exhaust the funds but make decisions on what items are a priority. Mr. Wessbecher mentions that a lot of the items are things that must be repaired that have not been properly maintained. The referendum is for 20 years the hope is to not go the whole 20 years. Mr. Wessbecher states that all spending comes before the committee, and then before the whole board. Mrs. Bobell refers to a previous conversation that Mr. Walter had at prior meetings. She asks about the list he presented and how the list was developed and who “we” is and if that list is the same list or a new list. Mr. Walter states that “we” is Mr. Wessbecher, Mrs. Davenport, and himself. They are developing a list to bring to B&G next month. Mrs. Bobell talks about communication simple, such as the list, needs to be dispersed to the committee. Also, in regard to the scaffolding, they had learned earlier that the county isn’t paying for it anymore, and if the information had been shared then that would solve some of the issues that come up and open up communication. Mrs. Bobell says she does feel Mr. Walter is doing what he is supposed to be doing, but the lack of communication makes it seem like maybe he isn’t doing anything. Mrs. Elias asks about the beams, and a few other items, referring to October 19th, Mr. Walter clarifies the crane will be on site. Mrs. Elias asks for a date for the beam removal, Mr. Walter guesses 3- 4 weeks’ weather and court sessions also will affect the time of completion. Mrs. Elias verifies that the beams belong to the county and asks Mr. Walter what recommendation is for storing them. Mr. Walter says the beams will go on a flatbed trailer, Mr. Walter says he would like the county to sell them rather them store them, since they wouldn’t be used again. Mr. Walter and Mrs. Elias discuss the beam removal. Mr. Wessbecher asks Mr. Swim (Veregy) to update the committee. Mr. Swim distributes a handout reflecting the path to complete Veregy’s piece the work, Mr. Swim shares is supervisor is on him to be done by the holidays, realistically the work will be done in the first quarter of the new year. There is a punch list of items to be completed. Mr. Swim shares that going forward he will only be doing email updates. Mr. Swim goes over the list of items to be completed. Mr. Swim talks about the geothermal and where they are in that process, removal of the existing boiler. Several of the radiators have been removed and capped and tested. When the temp drops there will be heat, Mr. Swim asks that if the offices aren’t warm, he should be notified so the issue can be fixed. Mr. Swim talks about the 3rd floor and the need to clear that floor so the work can be completed. The first floor is opened back up. There are still challenges getting everyone moved around to accommodate the needs of the court system, jury etc. The 2nd floor courtroom needs to be available before the 3rd floor courtroom can be closed. Mr. Swim asks for recommendations for areas that can be used for juries. The committee and Mr. Swim continue to discuss the moving of offices and the importance of getting this done in a timely manner. Mr. Wessbecher states that Mr. Hauge is willing to move to the Orr building but will need to have some notice. Mr. Swim also talks about IT issues that have come up and the need to coordinate the county IT personnel with Veregy’s IT personnel. Mrs. Davenport asks about the training for the geothermal, Mr. Swim shares the training that has been started, but a lot of it will occur once the system is online. The committee continues to discuss moving offices and plans for the upcoming weeks.

2. Courthouse Restoration Invoices Approval- Mr. Davenport makes a motion seconded by Mrs. Fitzpatrick to approve the Courthouse Restoration Invoices, motion carries. Facilities Manager Report: Mr. Wilson talks about the fountain and other ongoing projects involving the Courthouse Restoration. Mr. Swim reminds everyone that the offices are still accessible, they understand that not everything can be moved and are willing to work with them to allow everyone to access the offices. Mr. Wessbecher brings up the need to have some things in Mr. Hauge’s office covered. Mr. Wilson reports that the hours for the lights at the pickleball court have been extended. Mrs. Schmidt shares pictures from the LDN with the committee. Mrs. Schmidt thanks Mr. Wilson for a job well done, Mr. Wilson mentions that there are a lot of activities for younger kids, but not much for the teenage kids. Mr. Wilson suggests a basketball court at one of the parks.

Use of Grounds Request:

1. Logan County Courthouse Lawn for Annual Winter Wonderland Festival, November 8, 2023-January 1, 2024, Mrs. Davenport makes a motion, seconded by Mrs. Schmidt motion passes.

Approval of Bills. Mr. Sanders makes a motion seconded by Mrs. Fitzpatrick to approve the bills, the motion carries.

Public Comments:

Mrs. Bobb asks about he stain glass panels and the current location of the stain glass panels. Mr. Walter reports that they are stored in N. Indiana where the person who is restoring the stain glass panels has a shop. They do have insurance on stain glass. Mrs. Bobb is concerned that no one is tracking the stained glass, Mr. Walter states he has been there twice. Mrs. Bobb asks about the cracking in floor and if it has been addressed and what the plan is. Mr. Walter states that the floors are being considered. There is some discussion about structural integrity of the building, Mrs. Davenport states that she thought a structural engineer had been and assessed the situation and said it was ok now. It is ok for now, but it needs to be addressed immediately. Mrs. Elias asks about the back up internet, she asks if they need something to get it brought forward. Court operations, fee filings etc. could not be done recently due to the internet being down. Mrs. Davenport shares a spread sheet from Mrs. Thomas office.

Adjourn Meeting. Mr. Sanders makes a motion seconded by Mrs. Davenport to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm. Motion carries.

https://logancountyil.gov/images/BGT_Minutes100323.pdf