Mississippi County Energy & Property Committee - JPs work to get on same page

By REVIS BLAYLOCK

NEA Town Courier

Justice Molly Jackson chaired the Friday afternoon Mississippi County Energy & Property Committee meeting discussing projects including the health department facilities in Blytheville and Osceola as well as the construction at the Blytheville and Osceola courthouses.

Mississippi County Courthouse in Osceola

Justice Jackson said she called the meeting to get everyone on the same page regarding the projects over the last two years as they move forward into 2024.

She reported everything looks good at the Osceola Health Unit and there is a scheduled walk through on Jan. 29. The renovations on the Blytheville Health Department building are moving along in a timely manner. Due to supply chain issues, it was delayed a little. Staff should be back into the building by the end of February.

Bids were opened on Feb. 22, 2023 for the renovations of the two county health units.

“We are not even into a year yet,” Jackson said. “All in all, a year to do both buildings is a decent timeline.”

Judge John A. Nelson agreed that overall, the project went well.

Jackson then moved on to the Blytheville Courthouse reporting at the end of the year there is a little over $231,000 appropriated and ready to be used.

She asked Judge Nelson if he had a balance on CNI. He said he had a meeting scheduled on Monday and should know more then. He said he had been in contact with them since September about wrapping it up. He went on to share emails since September.

The storm windows should have been installed two years ago Judge Nelson said.

“We served them with notice through Attorney Banks we were dismissing them and they said they had ordered the windows and I asked for documentation which I received. All that was done. I allowed that. They came and they worked. They got half done and said they needed another type of machine. They asked for extra money and I told them when the job was finished we would finalize it.”

The problem with the HVAC in the Blytheville Courthouse was discussed.

“We called D&L and they came out but said it is a complex system and they could not fix it,” Judge Nelson said.

The system was manufactured by Daiken Company.

Justice Reggie Cullom asked for the total expense spent on the Blytheville Courthouse.

The total cost spent so far on the Blytheville Courthouse is close to $16 million. The bond issue was $18 million. About $3 million has been spent in the Osceola Courthouse.

Jackson said they are still within budget.

After more discussion, the two major issues at the Blytheville Courthouse included the HVAC units and the windows.

Judge Nelson said he thinks they are going to have to get someone to program the HVAC system.

Justice Jackson said there seems to be a problem when the weather gets really hot or really cold. Space heaters are having to be used because of the low temperatures in the offices which are causing breakers to throw.

Jackson told the judge he had the support of the committee to get the major things completed.

Justice Cullom said if his office was 56 degrees, his staff would go home.

Judge Nelson said he should know more on Monday and invited the justices to attend the meeting.

The committee then discussed the needs of the Osceola Courthouse.

It was pointed out that when the project for the two courthouses started plans were to spend no less than $2 million in Osceola.

“We did that,” Justice Jackson said.

The committee discussed the need to have the drains cleaned once or twice a year at both courthouses.

It was discussed earlier to contact Renaissance about cleaning the drains at both locations and Jackson said there was a need for roof access at the Osceola Courthouse.

Justice Jackson said there is $214,543 in an account for improvements in the Osceola Courthouse. Discussion was held on items from the fire department inspection that needed to be addressed including replacing ceiling tiles; sealant in the boiler pipes, outlet covers, no extension cords and other minor problems.

“I think we have the revenue to fix what is in the fire department report,” Justice Jackson said.

A discussion was held on closing down the boiler, draining it and sealing it off and replacing it with heat pumps in every office and systems for the common areas.

Justice Cullom asked if they had someone to tell them what needs to be done?

He pointed out there is no hot water in the Osceola Courthouse. He pointed out the building needs work.

“The building is old and it is an eyesore and we need to do something about it,” Justice Cullom said.

They discussed looking onto a contract to keep the drains cleaned, renting a lift for access to the roof.

“We need to get a price and check to see if we rent a cherry picker if it would be sufficient for the roof access,” Justice Ash said.

Justice Burge said they do need to formulate a list of priorities: naming the boiler, getting hot water, and repairing the walls in the courtroom.

Justice Ash said they have to stop what is causing the problems and then make the repairs.

Justice Jackson said she would get in touch with the architect who previously presented a list and cost of the needed repairs.

Justice Neal Burge said no one disagrees that they have the money and the work needs to be done.

A short discussion on the concerns of solar panels in the county was held.

“It was not a popular opinion when we did not approve the abatement for the solar company but I think the judge made the right decision,” Justice Jackson said.