The Washington County Board had a very long meeting on Tuesday night. There were many issues to deal with on the renovation of the Washington County Courthouse, but also involving the Jail and the Judicial Building. The issue with the ground outside the Judicial Building has been a topic of discussion for over a year, as the grass never took and grew, so it will be worked on this year. The Board approved by a vote of 11 to 3 to have Naturally Green out of Nashville to do the work, which will involve removing the bad rock and dirt, bringing in good topsoil and then sodding. A contract has not been signed, but it was approved of with a limit of $25,000. Also, they approved to have fencing put up around the air conditioning units on the east side of the building, and then have rock put in that area. The Board said the alarm for the secure door on the southeast side would be taken care of also. The Jail needs some roof work and they approved the bid seeking process to begin. They also approved of some new computer servers at last month’s meetings, knowing they would need to get more and so they approved of 2 servers to be purchased and installed by Miken. One will go into the Nashville Community Center, current home of the county offices, in the amount of $16,335.38 and the other to go into the Judicial Building at an expense of $15,244.04. The Board is also wanting to find an architectural firm they can work with on various projects as they become needed in the county. The Board had hoped to have a contract with McDonough – Whitlow to oversee the renovation of the Courthouse, as Image Architects is going out of business and resigned as project architect, but the contract was not proofed in time for the meeting, as the document grew in size and it is still under review. Building Committee Chairman Gary Suedmeyer says they have been working with MW on a time and materials basis, but thinks the County State’s Attorney’s Office will have it proofed this week and they can go forward. This could lead to some problems and delays, as there were multiple change orders presented and approved at the meeting Tuesday night, but there is no company contracted with to supervise and administer the changes. One change is to remove some interior wall plaster on the 1st and 2nd floors and then install spray foam insulation. Another change is for masonry work in the basement that became needed when shelving was moved away and the wall was in need of repair, as well as for an area around a vault section of the basement. The existing chimney will need to be taken out completely and then some flooring will need to be put in. Some columns and wood supports need to be installed , as well as framing work on the elevator shaft to extend it is also needed. There were changes that were for work planned, but not needed, which resulted in a credit to the Board in the amount of $7,860. Suedmeyer says any delay might only be for a day or two though. Many of these changes were not unanimously approved. The reasons for so many changes to work to be done, include unforeseen problems arising after getting into the demolition part of the project and reaching hidden areas. Also, some items were not previously contracted for. Del Scott of Korte & Luitjohan was in attendance and helped explain many of these changes for the Board. Suedmeyer says they are not really behind schedule on the completion of the renovation, but there could be slow downs as subcontractors need some answers so they can order materials and supplies to begin work after the demolition part of the project is complete, which will be soon. County Highway Engineer Mitch Burdick presented some resolutions for approval dealing with various drainage projects, which were all approved by the Board. One is for a failing drainage structure, including a bridge on North Carolina Road in the Bolo Township for $1,795 for the County’s half. Another is for twin culverts on Lilly Road in the Johannisburg Road District for $7,380 for the County’s half, as well as for a box culvert on Cardinal Road in the Okawville Township for $10,800 for the County’s half of the project. The Board also approved of the Motor Fuel Tax Oil and Bituminous Material bids for materials to be used in road work throughout the year. There was a zoning issue that the Board approved as Kasey Sauerwein requested to have a mobile home be a residence on a lot in Clarmin. The other zoning issue dealt with Gary Rennegarbe requesting 5 acres of land just outside the Okawville city limits to rezoned from agriculture to commercial to allow Gary’s Tire to build a new building on the property. The current location will then be used for storage. This was also approved of by the Board. They approved several people to be re-appointed to various county boards. This includes Victor Lopez, Daniel Bronke and Jim Cange to the Washington County Hospital Board for the next 3 years; John Reynolds to the Irvington Fire District for 3 years; David Aubel to the Addieville Fire District; Fred Johnson to the Ashley Fire District for 3 years, Roger Greten to the Coulterville Fire District; Gary Unverfehrt to the Hoyleton Fire District for 3 years, Charles Brink and Roger Kramm to the Nashville Fire District for 3 years, while Doug Snead will replace Merrell Kirchhofer for a 2 year unexpired term; Eric Brammeier to the Saint Libory Fire District for 3 years; Earl Weeke to the Okawville Fire Board for 3 years; Ivan Meyer to the Irvington Sanitary Board for 3 years; David Waller to the Lively Grove Cemetery Board for 6 years; Lowell Shuber to the Washington County Farmland Assessment Board for 3 years and Dennis Cook to the Southern Illinois Mass Transit for 4 years.