Commissioners approve engineering services for bridge project

Fulton County is to seek federal aid for Bridge No. 170, located on County Road 1000 West and carrying traffic over Mill Creek between county roads 550 South and 400 South.

Fulton County Commissioners on Monday approved a contract for professional engineering services related to a proposed bridge rehabilitation project.

Highway Superintendent John Geier presented two sets of quotes for such services from RQAW and USI, but suggested submitting only one bridge project in an upcoming call for federal aid. Despite having a higher quote for both projects, RQAW was awarded the contract. 

Upon Geier's recommendation, the county will seek federal aid for Bridge No. 170, located on County Road 1000 West and carrying traffic over Mill Creek between county roads 550 South and 400 South.

"I want to hold off on the second one until next fall," Geier said of Bridge No. 94 on County Road 250 East south of 650 South near Nyona Lake. "I think we have a better chance going after the one because it's worse. If we put the other one in, they might reject it because it isn't as bad. I think our odds are better going after the worst one."

Geier noted the Bridge 170 project, if awarded, would be five years out, but an engineering study is needed to apply.

RQAW, with business development representative Scott Clay present, submitted a quote of $9,500 for the bridge. USI's quote was $7,500. 

Clay informed commissioners that his company would bill the county Dec. 15 so payment could be deferred until next year. 

"That would be a benefit, spreading it over into next year's budget," Geier said. 

Although acknowledging that USI has done great work for the county in the past, commissioners decided to contract with RQAW, noting Clay's attendance. The vote was unanimous, however, Commission President Bryan Lewis did caution against setting such a precedent. 

In other business, commissioners:

• Held a moment of silence due to the unexpected passing of Jail Matron Jodi Miller.

• Heard an update from new 911 Communications Director Brittney Thompson, who noted her first week on the job was great and training is going well.
"This Week 2 hasn't started off great," she said, referencing the loss of Miller. "We have the resources, thanks to the sheriff's department, to extend some support for the dispatchers if they need it."
She reported that she canceled on attending a class this week. 
"I just didn't feel like the timing was right with being new at the center," she said. "I felt being at the center was where I should be right now, so we'll possibly reschedule that when they offer that again."
She also reported working through some time-off issues due to the death of a dispatcher's grandfather. 

• Heard from Geier that crews have been patching holes and cutting brush. They've finished applying pug mix to roads and are now in the process of applying BIORESTOR asphalt rejuvenator to roads repaved through the state's Community Crossings Matching Grant program last year. On Monday, they leveled out a bad spot along Country Road 700 North, west of Richland Center. Additionally, bumps were ground down along Old U.S. 31 North last week, and striping is to occur Tuesday. 
New projects receiving Community Crossings funding are currently being completed by Brooks Construction, with paving underway on County Road 400 North and complete on county roads 900 West and 600 North.
Geier also reported that a new roof has been installed on the highway department's salt building in Kewanna and siding after insulation is being installed on the shop in Rochester. Additionally, one of two single-axle Western Star dump trucks on order was to arrive Tuesday morning and be taken to W.A. Jones to be outfitted. 

• Signed a letter on the final inspection of the Old U.S. 31 South project to close it out. 

• Approved a 30-day leave without pay for an employee of the highway department who has exhausted FMLA leave.

• Heard from Coroner Jeri Good there have been 111 deaths in the county so far this year. That includes 61 females, 50 males and 41 coroner's calls. She reported deaths are down compared to last year, and the coroner's office is investigating a little more than a third of them in the county. 
She also reported that the coroner's office is awaiting the results of three autopsies. She noted most of the deaths are natural, but there have been eight accidental including three falls, two overdoses and three motor vehicles wrecks. She also reported five suicides and one homicide. Procedures for the year so far include three labs at Woodlawn Hospital, 12 autopsies and 24 draws for toxicologies. 
She also announced an upcoming coroner's training board meeting and a modified in-person scene study with the Local Emergency Planning Committee. 

• Heard from Sheriff Travis Heishman the jail population, as of Monday morning, was 133. That includes 46 inmates for Grant County, 32 for Howard County and five federal inmates. The county invoiced a little over $126,000 last month for holding out-of-county inmates.
Heishman also reported that the annual jail inspection is to occur Tuesday, following inspections already conducted by the county health department and state fire marshal. He noted ground will soon be broken for a new maintenance building. 
With the passing of Miller, Heishman noted the sheriff's office has big shoes to fill and she will be greatly missed. He noted she had been with the sheriff's office for roughly 10 years, beginning under former sheriff Chris Sailor's first term. 

• Heard from Commissioner Rick Ranstead that he accepted an invitation from Rochester Schools Superintendent Jana Vance to participate in a new ambassador program beginning Thursday.