GRAND ISLAND – Hall County Commissioners voted 2-4 for a stand-alone addition to the Hall County Courthouse at the May 7 meeting.
Commissioners Gary Quandt and Karen Bredthauer voted for the stand-alone addition. Commissioners Scott Sorensen, Ron Peterson, Butch Hurst, and Pam Lancaster voted against the motion. Commissioner Jane Richardson was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
Commissioner Gary Quandt, who made the motion for the stand-alone courthouse addition, said the cost would be approximately $21 million to $23 million for a 55,000 square-foot building.
“Let’s just put a little common sense into this,” Quandt said.
Quandt noted that in the proposed RFP for a construction manager at risk for the courthouse, it shows the majority of the existing courthouse being used for storage after the project is completed. Only one of the four courtrooms in the current courthouse would be used in the proposed project.
Commissioners then voted 4-2 to continue to work on the RFP for the construction manager at risk document. Commissioners Gary Quandt and Karen Bredthauer voted against the motion.
After the meeting, Commissioner Pam Lancaster explained why she supports an addition to the courthouse versus a stand-alone version.
First, she said she does not know the source for the estimated $21 million to $23 million for the stand-alone courthouse addition.
She said that Commissioners have already approved proceeding with the addition, and the State Supreme Court has approved it. Lancaster noted that local judges also support the courthouse addition. She does not want to “back track” by looking at a stand-alone addition to the courthouse. She felt like some of Tuesday’s discussion was a “rehash” of what was discussed two weeks ago.
During the meeting, Steve Severson with Davis Design of Lincoln gave an update on work on a request for proposals for a construction manager at risk.
“Our primary work has been completing the RFP for the construction manager at risk,” he said.
The estimated total cost of an addition to the Hall County Courthouse is $33 million. Commissioners had a draft RFP that had more sections completed than what they received two weeks ago.
“Your input will be encouraged,” Severson said about having a construction manager at risk. “I strongly encourage you to be involved through the entire process.”
Doone Humphrey, Hall County Facility Director, said he had researched having a construction manager at risk.
“There will be representation when bids come in,” Humphrey said, referring to involvement from the Commissioners. “It doesn’t take away all of your rights on this project.
In other business, Commissioners:
*Recognized Hall County/Grand Island Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund for being named Emergency Management Director of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management. Commissioner Ron Peterson nominated Rosenlund for the award. Rosenlund has worked in the position for 17 years.
*Accepted a low bid for asbestos removal at 115 E. First St. from Jamco Abatement for $66,400.
*Suggested to the Probation Department to include a request for 34 laptop computers in their annual budget.
*Approved a conditional use permit for Prairie Creek Barn by a 6-0 vote.
*Discussed with a representative from Midland Area Agency on Aging the cost for meals for seniors. The issue will be discussed again in two weeks.
*Discussed with Paul Grieger with D.A. Davidson the bond financing for the courthouse addition.