Lower price presented to commissioners for library

WORLAND – The Washakie County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting at the Washakie County Courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to receive an update on the proposed budget from Groathouse Construction for the new Washakie County Library, as well as receive updates from county departments.

The County Commission received two post-bid budget alignments, one option included an elevator with that cost estimate and the other included a stair-lift option. The option with the elevator cost a total of $2,177,907 and the option with the stair-lift came to a total of $2,030,980.

A small discussion was had between the commissioners and Washakie County Library Board member Terry Livingston. They all quickly agreed that the new library should have an elevator rather than a stair-lift as it is a more efficient and a more practical option for the library.

In the proposal with the elevator that Groathouse Construction President Fred Bronnenberg presented, there are other specifications that would help reduce cost and needed to be discussed prior to making the contract official.

Some of those items included changing the framework that is done in the elevator shaft, different options for the fire suppression system as well as additional research being done into a potential cost saving on the heating system.

The commissioners and Washakie County Planner David Anderson discussed the difference between the cost to route a water line from Robertson Avenue and Big Horn Avenue and how the cost was more expensive to route from Robertson.

Chairman Commissioner Fred Frandson said that there was a discussion between Groathouse, the county and TSP regarding the potential removal of an elevator in town and transporting it into the building; however, after further discussion they decided the added labor intensive costs would be a greater cost to the county.

Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance suggested that Groathouse use the soon to be former Kennedy Ace Rental building just north of the construction site to set up an office and store items there to not create chaos in the public parking lot between the library and Worland City Hall.

The commissioners discussed a new timeline, and determined that Groathouse and TSP should finalize new drawings for the building as well as finalize estimates for the project so that a firm price is in place prior to the next commissioners meeting on Oct. 6.

Should the contract be drawn up and signed on the Oct. 6 meeting, Bronnenberg said that it would take around a month to get subcontractors settled in order to begin construction.

OTHER BUSINESS

David Anderson discussed during his update with the commissioners the status of the Holland, Cherry Creek, Orchard and Brubaker pits and told them that he determined they could do 5,000 yards in the Holland, Cherry Creek and Orchard pits and then 10,000 yards in the Brubaker pit.

Anderson said that in order for the Brubaker pit to be processed, then they would need to acquire licenses that could take up to four months to finalize and the commissioners told him to get started on the process.

He also discussed with the commissioners the option to put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the other pits at this time. The commissioners along with Anderson agreed that they should start on the pits as soon as possible and if weather prevents the completion this fall, then the crushing should be completed before May 1, 2021.

Washakie County Prevention Coordinator Lila Jolley gave an update to the commissioners regarding the progress of items being implemented for suicide prevention month as well as drug takebacks happening next month.

Sheri Gunderson and Sarah Garcia of youth alternatives reported that they had received the third year of drug free communities funding which starts on Oct. 1. Gunderson said that the Washakie County Prevention Coalition is looking to continue their momentum at their first meeting today, Sept. 17, and continue to help reach the community even though they will not be able to do as many large events this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The commissioners entered into executive session one time to discuss litigation.

Read about the public discussion on the adoption of Lane 17 1/2 and the vacation of Lane 18 1/2 in next week’s edition of the Northern Wyoming News.