County road and bridge office ready to move to new home

The administrative offices for the road and bridge department will also be moving to the new road and bridge shop located just north of Holton.

At a recent Jackson County Commission meeting, the commissioners agreed to move the offices to the new building at 24569 U.S. Highway 75 in order to improve communication and efficiency in the department.

The current office is located on the first floor of the Jackson County Courthouse. Eric Fritz and Earl Bahret, road and bridge department co-supervisors, and administrative assistants Twila White and Nancy Schlodder work at that Courthouse office.

The road and bridge office has always resided in the Courthouse, according to a county employee.

Renovations continue to be made to the building that was recently purchased by the county north of Holton before the county relocates the department later this spring.

Commissioner Bill Elmer has found some shelving available to purchase from the Kmart in north Topeka, it was reported.

Bahret also presented a quote from Kriz-Davis of Topeka for LED recessed lighting at $135 per light. They are guaranteed to last 25 years. There are 23 lights in the office and lobby area. No decision has been made on the purchase.

Fritz and Bahret also reported that a wall will be removed in the building between the largest and the middle office to accommodate White and Schlodder.

Bahret discussed moving the cold air returns up toward the heat ducts, and Elmer stated that he did not think that was going to keep the room heated and advised against it.

It was reported that Kansas Fencing was expected to start installing the perimeter fence soon.

The bids for placing a new roof structure over the office and parts room were due that day, and no bids were received.

In other business, according to the approved minutes from Feb. 8, the commission:

•Discussed a concern from a resident about the condition of X Road, which is a minimum maintenance road.

•Received and approved the one bid submitted for the purchase of fuel. The bid was $11,246.25 submitted by Haag Oil Company.

•Met in executive session with Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller for 10 minutes to discuss a matter of attorney/client privilege. The meeting extended 10 minutes. No action was taken back in open session.

•Met in executive session for 15 minutes with Brooke Smith, juvenile intake and assessment director, to discuss a personnel matter. The meeting extended 15 minutes. No action was taken back in open session.

•Heard a weekly report from John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir director, who said that a safety inspection needs to be conducted at the dam this year.

King and Associates Engineering did the inspection in 2013 for $2,500. The commissioners requested that Kennedy contact the local company for a quote.

•Agreed to visit with a man in Seneca who builds tiny houses on Feb. 17. The structures could possibly be used at Banner Creek Reservoir instead of cabins.

•Learned that the steering component in the pickup used at the reservoir needs repair.

•Discussed with Chad Phillips, Courthouse custodian, and Terry Mick, bridge and special project manager, the best way to repair the east circle driveway as the city prepares to fix the east curb this spring.

Mick and Phillips were set to met with Rex Cameron, Holton street superintendent, to discuss the project.

•Learned from Phillips that Matthew Asher has shown interest in repairing the large, ornate clock in the second floor lobby. The commissioners okayed the work. 

Phillips also discussed placing glass cabinets in the new meeting room to store old tax roll and assessment books. The books would be locked in the cabinet but available for research purposes.

•Discussed with Mick the two new skid loaders the county is leasing for a year.

The commissioners are still determining how to best utilize the two skid loaders the county already owns.

Commissioner Elmer asked Mick how often he uses a skid loader, and Mick said he would use a skid loader more often for his projects if he knew there was an extra one available.

•Left their chambers at 2:15 p.m. to view the new paint job at the road and bridge shop building. They returned at 4:10 p.m.

•Adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.