Ashland County commissioners open bids for grandstand repairs

Ashland County commissioners opened bids for the fairground grandstand with the highest being $188,500 and the lowest $123,225.

“The project we are receiving bids for today is a grandstand repair project,” said VSWC representative Brad Adams. “We had a structural engineer inspect the entire building and they recommended some minor repairs.”

Clerk Nikki Hiller opened two sealed bids for the estimated $125,000 project. Scout Construction ($188,500) and Bogner Construction ($123,225) submitted the pair of bids.

Maintenance Supervisor Dennis Harris said one of his jobs is risk management, looking for minor defects or areas of concern. After a walk-through of the grounds, he had a structural engineer take a look at the building.

“This will prolong the useful life of the grandstand and improve the overall safety,” Adams said about the about 90 year-old grandstand.

Bearing plates, joists and deteriorating wood are on the agenda for replacement. Adams said it would all be “pretty minor stuff.”

“This repair will keep it for years to come,” Commissioner Denny Bittle said.

Work is expected to be completed by the September fair week.

In other action, commissioners:

• Approved an executive session to consider the discipline or dismissal of a public employee.
• Authorized Kelson Batten to be hired as maintenance superintendent trainee, with a start date of June 3 and an hourly rate of $34, with an appointment to maintenance superintendent and county risk manager beginning Aug. 1.
• Accepted an estimate of $850 from Dravenstott Tree Service for the removal of three trees on the north side of the courthouse.
• Entered into a three-year contract with Thomson Reuters for $8,280 for location and identification services of defendants and witnesses.

Commissioners will meet 9 a.m. Thursday in the Conference Room on the second floor of the County Office Building. The meetings are open to the public. They are livestreamed on the Ashland County Government Facebook page.