Platte County is moving forward with HVAC work to improve air quality and energy efficiency at the historic Platte County Courthouse in Platte City.
Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 1 at the Platte County Resource Center near KCI Airport, with director of facilities Daniel Erickson presenting agreements with St. Joseph Plumbing and Heating and The Hayes Company for replacement of duct work and insulation in the attic of the courthouse. Duct replacement comes in at $48,969 with removal and replacement of the old attic insulation with a newer spray foam to cost $66,300.
Last year, the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office was forced to move from its space in the third floor of the courthouse due to air quality concerns. Staff moved to the commission’s meeting space in the Platte County Administration Center, forcing the commission to meet at the Platte County Resource Center.
During testing of the air on the third floor, small fiberglass particles were detected. Erickson said two possible sources had been identified – the ducts and the attic.
The ductwork was replaced in 2006 during a remodel of the third floor with internally lined ductwork, which was recently inspected via camera. Some fraying of that liner was detected, leading commissioners to question if the work was properly done at the time of the remodel and if there was any recourse for recouping costs from improper installation.
New second district commissioner Joe Vanover suggested replacing the duct work, then conducting another air quality test to determine of that was the source of the fibers.
Presiding commissioner Ron Schieber said he wasn’t opposed to testing, but regardless of the source of the fibers, the attic insulation needed to go.
“The courthouse is from the Civil War era. We don’t think this is Civil War insulation but it’s what war?” Schieber asked Erickson, prompting laughter in the room.
Erickson said it was definitely Vietnam War era insulation.
Schieber said it was time to replace the filthy, outdated attic insulation for general maintenance and energy efficiency.
Erickson said the 2006 work was done to the county’s specifications at the time, so it was unclear there was any recourse.
Commissioners agreed to discuss conducting additional testing after the ducts are replaced with new, externally insulated hardware.
Work is expected to begin this week on the ducts, with the spray foam insulation to be installed over an upcoming weekend.
Commissioners also clarified that the attic insulation to be removed did not contain asbestos.
A slate of new appointments and reappointments to various boards were also approved, including – Martha Zirschky and Paul Bushmann to the Platte County Senior Service Fund Board; Susan Phillips and Nancy Kraus Womack to the Platte County Domestic Violence Shelter Board; Wes Minder to the Platte County Board of Park Commissioners; John Elliott, Scott Fricker and Kelly Parkhurst to the Industrial Development Authority Board; and Michael Sinkhorn to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Commissioners also approved another round of CARES Act-funded small business grants Monday for applicants from both rounds one and two of the business grants. Grants were approved for World Liquors 9, $90,703; Millennium Martial Arts Academy, $21,736; Hildebrand Chiropractic and Rehab, $8,800; Casey Chiropractic, $5,000; Ciao Bella Ice Creamery and Bakery, $1,487; Ditto Incorporated, $25,000; Williowbrook Inc., $9,360; Skylander Psychological Services, $18,000; Tao Reflexology, $13,926; Northland Integrated Medical, $20,000; Pretty+Planned Events, $13,462; Haven Nutrition, $3,500; Love, Me Counseling, $3,500; DC Designs, $12,000; Ashlee Greiner Painting, $15,000; Pride Martial Arts Parkville, $15,000.
Several applications were also denied for various reasons, such as incomplete applications and ineligible expenses.
Commissioners approved the county budget at a special meeting held Friday, Jan. 29. At the meeting, auditor Kevin Robinson recommended commissioners consider reinstating the allocation of funds to cover the Zona Rosa bond payment, thus fulfilling his own obligation to make the annual recommendation. Commissioners refused to reinstate the allocation, citing the county’s recent court victory stating the bond payments were not the county’s financial responsibility.
Robinson also outlined new budget items created by the passage of the quarter-cent lawn enforcement sales tax last year. Collections of the tax begin this year, with the budget updated to reflect the new revenue stream.