WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE NEGOTIATING WITH DIFFERENT FIRM FOR JAIL KITCHEN REMODEL

  

Washington County Commissioners voted today (Tuesday) to pursue negotiations with another architecture and design firm for the remodeling of the county jail’s kitchen.

The court agreed to formally end negotiations with CGL Companies and start negotiations with DRG Architects.  The county initially named CGL as the engineering service provider for the project in June 2023.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath explained that CGL has changed its operational structure since the county first went out for requests for qualifications (RFQs) for the project.  He said the restructuring conflicts with what the firm put in its RFQ submitted to the county, and that both the county attorney and GrantWorks said the appropriate decision would be to go to the next selection in line, DRG Architects.  He added that the difference between the two companies is “very small” in terms of what they do.

The county is utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the remodeling.  Hanath reminded the court of the importance of staying on a quick timeline in order to get the project done. 

In other business, the court accepted a bid of $205,000 from RDI Mechanical out of Houston for the courthouse chiller replacement, also using ARPA funds.  Washington County Facilities Manager Bobby Branham said RDI was one of several companies who inquired, but one of only two who submitted bids. 

Also during court, commissioners:

• Gave updates on several county projects during a workshop following the regular meeting.  KWHI will have more details on commissioners’ discussion in a follow-up story. 
• Discussed an Amazon Prime Business account.  County Auditor Shawna Hollis said some county departments have asked about the county’s existing Amazon account and the possibility of improving shipping speeds.  She talked about some of the features an upgraded account would include and what they would cost.  The item was only for informational purposes, so no action was taken. 
• Opted to take no action on a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Wildlife Circle, consisting of 37.42 acres located in Precinct 4.  The lack of a vote came after discussion in which commissioners indicated they felt a variance was not necessary in this situation.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Highway 36 and Affleck Road, consisting of 4.79 acres located in Precinct 3.
• Discussed a formal notice for fiber installation by Industry Telephone Company in the right-of-way of Sandtown Road, Coyote Run Lane, Young Lane, Young Circle and Hartstack Road in Precinct 4.
• Tabled an item to add a 20-foot-wide public alley south of Sycamore Street in Chappell Hill in Precinct 2 into the county road system.  The item was tabled in order to allow Precinct 2 Commissioner Candice Bullock, who was not present at the meeting, the opportunity to give her input.