Improvement projects brought before Dougherty County Commission

ALBANY — The Dougherty County Commission is expected to vote on a variety of action items when it meets again next week, ranging from matters related to Hurricane Michael to the approval for downtown Albany parking deck renovations currently budgeted at $1 million.

One such recommendation that came forward for discussion during the commission’s work session was a request to approve the proposal from Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions in Kennesaw to prepare site design construction documents for the Radium Springs Trailhead and update the master plan for Radium Springs Gardens.

“Several weeks ago, we had a meeting at Radium Springs with (Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions Principal) Ron Huffman, (District 2) Commissioner (Victor) Edwards, (District 6) Commissioner (Anthony) Jones and Mr. (County Attorney Spencer) Lee,” County Administrator Michael McCoy said. “As a result of this meeting, we are coming to you with this recommendation.”

The fee is $39,500 and is budgeted in SPLOST V. McCoy said the county recently received a grant to go toward the project, and there is a certain timeframe in which grant funds need to be used.

The recommendation now before the commission with the biggest price tag involves a bid for downtown east and west parking deck renovations from Metro Waterproofing Inc. in Scottsdale in the amount of $587,058.

“We were happy to put this out and receive such a competitive bid,” McCoy said.

McCoy said officials are working for a parking plan for downtown employees who typically use the deck during the 120 days it takes to work on it. He said this is the first time the deck will be undergoing maintenance from a structural standpoint.

“There are a number of things that have developed over time,” he said.

The county administrator added that the proposal comes after a year of pre-work. Since there is a $1 million budget, the bid leaves roughly $400,000 to address any “hidden unknowns” that present themselves as the project moves forward — and that any change orders will come before the commission.

There was some discussion, specifically from Edwards, as to whether a cap should be put on change orders — a move McCoy said he did not recommend because it is not certain what the project may run into. Lee said the commission could keep the contract as is, but advised that may not be to the board’s advantage.

“Any renovation project is going to see unforeseen circumstances,” District 1 Commissioner Lamar Hudgins said.

Facilities Management Director Heidi Minnick said notice would be given to the public concerning closures. Four vendors submitted bids, with the highest being $998,078. Funding is budgeted in SPLOST VII.

Yielding, Wakeford and McGee Architects is involved in the parking deck project.

The commission also discussed:

— A recommendation to approve one invoice from Ceres Environmental Services in the amount of $249,874.33 for debris removal and disposal. Funding is coming from the Special Services District Fund. The county’s debris removal contract with Ceres Environmental, which Public Works Director Larry Cook said has assisted with the pickup of roughly 1.2 million cubic yards of debris in Dougherty since Hurricane Michael, ceased on Monday — so the most recent invoice recommended for approval is expected to be one of the last;

— A recommendation to accept a grant easement request between Georgia Power and the county for a power pole relocation;

— A recommendation from the county’s Public Works department to apply for a Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant – Safety Action Plan from the Georgia Department of Transportation in the amount of $80,640 for road striping improvements. This amount includes the local match amount of $36,240;

— A recommendation to accept the bid for carpet installation on the fourth floor of the Department of Human Services building on West Oglethorpe Boulevard from DCO Commercial Floor in Athens in the amount of $124,770. Three vendors submitted bids with the highest being $197,815.75. Funding will be provided from the county’s Risk Management account;

— A recommendation to accept the bid for painting on the first and second floors of the DHS building from Affordable Painting and Remodeling in Leesburg in the amount of $92,500. Funding is budgeted in the DHS fund. This vendor was awarded the contract to paint the fourth floor of the building at the commission’s Jan. 7 regular meeting.

Jennifer ParksJennifer Parks