Solving outstanding issues with the Adams Office building dominated the bulk of Saturday’s meeting of the Cannon County Commission. The county is facing a deadline of May 19th for completing the repairs on the building or facing action from the state. The action would involve eviction for tenants of the building. At the request of County Executive Brent Bush, commissioners were given a report from Matthew Tucker with James C. Hailey and Company. The company compiled a review of the building several years ago.
The Fire Marshall’s Office listed three areas of concern for bringing the building into compliance.
- Sprinkler System – the system is not working, since the building is no longer a hospital, a sprinkler system is not required. The system will need to have all sprinkler heads capped and have the system disabled.
- Fire Alarm – the equipment needs adjustments and need to be connected to a monitoring system.
- Cane Fiber ceiling tiles (which are highly flammable) needed to be removed.
Commissioners were presented an estimate for James C. Hailey and Company assuming the management and repair project. The cost for the county is estimated at $200,000.00.
Discussion began among commissioners at this point. Chairman Greg Mitchell transferred the chair to vice-chairman Russell Reed, so he could comment. Mitchell, who has 30 years of experience in property management, asked for commissioners to consider some parts of the building revisions be handled locally. For example, inmate labor being used to cap sprinkler heads as part of disabling the system.
Commissioner Jim Bush voiced concern that some work might cause issues, like disruption of asbestos.
Commissioners agreed to review the report from the engineering firm and continue to find a salutation during the February meeting.
County Attorney Coats advised the board that he was in the process of drafting a request to the State Fire Marshall office asking for additional time for completing.
In other action by commissioners, Nathan Luna was appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Chairman Mitchell reminded attendees at the meeting that office budgets for the 20-21 fiscal year are to be submitted for consideration by January 31st.