Sangamon Sun

Menard County Public Building Study Group met May 7

Here are the minutes provided by the group:

The Menard County Public Building Study Group (PBSG), an advisory board appointed by the Menard County Board of Commissioners, met on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Menard County Courthouse Annex, 101 East Jefferson Street, Petersburg. Menard County Commissioner Ed Whitcomb along with PBSG Members Dan Ortgessen and Joe Hemberger were in attendance. Sheriff Mark Oller and Menard County Coordinator Dara Worthington were also in attendance. Commissioner Bob Lott and PBSG Member Steve Ozella were absent.

PBSG Vice Chair Hemberger called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

PBSG Member Hemberger made a motion to approve minutes from April 2, 2025, meeting while PBSG Member Ortgessen seconded the motion. Motion carried.

There were no citizens for public comment.

PBSG Member Ortgessen provided an overview of details regarding proposed work or questions to be answered on the Courthouse Annex. Those areas covered included: doors and their wiring, windows, chairlift, boring, electrical for lighting, outlets and switches, restrooms – unisex, doors to be removed, baby changing station, water fountain, AC circulation, and carpeting. It was determined that the work should begin on both restrooms working around the summer schedule for 4-H events, the garage door, removal of the paneling below the new windows, and the window replacement. Additional information is needed before moving forward with electrical.

Coordinator Worthington provided an update on the painting taking place at Sunny Acres Nursing Home, and the DCEO grant which was revised to include courthouse windows. IDNR replied to the request for the revision and indicated their restrictions on the windows that could be installed in the courthouse. Architect Joe Petty did report that the courthouse window bids should be submitted for aluminum windows and metal clad wooden windows with the metal clad being in keeping with the historic integrity of the building. It was reported that the pre-bid meeting for the courthouse windows is on the following day of May 8 with more information to possibly be forthcoming. It was the consensus of the group present that they did not want restrictions being placed upon the type of windows to be installed due to the difference in pricing. An brief update on the status of the courthouse truss was provided.

Upon conclusion of the reporting, a walkthrough of the building occurred.

Having no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.

https://menardcountyil.com/files/5917/4905/9642/PBSG_minutes_05.07.2025.pdf