The Ripley County Commission learned Sept. 14 that work on the new detention center, which was delayed by rain, is now moving forward.
Plumbing was expected to be completed on Wednesday, said Braidy Heisserer of Sides Construction, as he gave an update.
“We should be ready to pour the foundation, and the electrical work is already being roughed in,” stated Heisserer.
He predicted the time frame for completing the foundation will be “a week, to a week-and-a half.”
Shawn Huffman, project architect, stated there will be a delay while crews wait for the detention doors.
He explained, “We are currently going through the submittals for the doors. It looks like there is a 10-to12-week lead time. When they install the doors the masonry will have to be done at the same time.”
Huffman further stated, “You’re going to hit a couple of months where it will look as though not much is going on, but after that, you should see things progressing very quickly.”
When asked about the projected completion date, he stated, “I think we are shooting for April, which is the contract date.”
Heisserer went on to say, “We’ll get the masons in to lay one course of brick. That’s what we will pour our floor up to, but they won’t be back to start the wall until we get those frames for the doors.”
Western District Commissioner Keith Whiteside said a question has been raised regarding a problem with the drainage of water that pools between the detention center site and Hometown Pharmacy.
Currently there is a 1.5-foot x 1.5-foot drainage ditch.
“Because of the variations in elevation, that won’t be enough to catch the water from the surrounding hillsides,” said Whiteside. Water draining down from Tractor Supply is already a problem, he said.
Presiding Commissioner Jesse Roy asked whether a larger drainage ditch had been included as part of the architect’s plans.
“We’ll have to build one regardless, but we would like to be able to build a drainage ditch and also complete the gravel front parking lot as part of our in-kind contribution,” stated Roy.
Huffman stated he will talk to Smith and Company (engineers) and get their recommendation as to how deep and wide the ditch needs to be.
Amy Baugus of Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission answered questions regarding furnishings for the jail. She and Huffman both stated that the metal beds are included in the grant.
There are specifications regarding stock and supplies, everything from soap to bedding, said Roy.
“I will need a list from you so that I can plan our budget. I need to know what we are going to have to buy up front so that we can get rolling when the building is done.”
Among other loose ends discussed was the need to get builder’s risk insurance for the detention center, which is expected to cost upwards of $3,500. Baugus said that could count as the county’s cash match.
Roy inquired about the status of a MIDOC loan for which the county had applied for the detention center back at the beginning, and was accepted. “I am not saying we would have to have it, but I would like to know it’s still available just in case,” said Roy.
Baugus said the loan shows up on the funding approval.
Moving on to other business, the commissioners heard from guest Jim Perren, who requested that the commissioners go out to investigate damage to a road which he says is partly owned by the county.
The commission heard a report from road foreman Dale Beston, who reported he has only one bush hog operator working right now, and crews are working diligently to keep up with the grading.
“We need to get around at least five times, and we are at about three and a half,” he said. Beston reported he is waiting for a part to get the John Deere running.
One of the stores has an expired liquor license due to nonpayment. Roy noted that often times the store owners simply forget, and it would be worthwhile for the county clerk to send out notices at the end of the year to remind them.
Also discussed was the need to find more grant money for the Naylor Nutrition Center.
The building is in extremely poor repair, and there is concern that the center could be at risk of closing.
The facility received a sizeable grant, but not nearly enough to cover the cost of new construction, due to the skyrocketing price of building materials and, bids would have to be CDBG approved at prevailing wage.
The center services 90 miles, and currently feeds about 100 clients.