Jackson courthouse elevator needs $45,000 hydraulic cylinder

An Aug. 29 state inspection as of the county elevators has resulted in an order to replace a hydraulic cylinder of the county courthouse elevator.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission heard the news from county public works director Don McQuay at the board's Thursday meeting.

Replacing the part will cost an estimated $45,000, McQuay told the commissioners.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones asked McQuay to provide a copy of the state inspector's report before the new equipment is ordered. Jones also told McQuay to check with County Clerk Kara Clark on whether the cylinder can be ordered on an emergency basis or if it had to go through the bid process.

McQuay said he has anticipated the need to replace the device and is not upset with the state's directive.

"They're doing it before any problems happen. I like being proactive on it," McQuay said after the meeting. "I think the commission is being proactive also."

The state allows up to a year to make the repair, but McQuay said he expects the work to be done "in the near future."

The courthouse elevator is one of five among county buildings; one jailhouse elevator is unused and locked up. The remaining elevators passed inspection, McQuay said. The county maintains a service contract on all the elevators.

McQuay is also busy trying to resolve the insurance claim for the county park shelter burned last month, as well as trying to resolve air conditioning problems at the sheriffs department.

Paving discussion

The commissioners also heard an unscheduled report from highway administrator Scott Bechtold. He told the board that two county roads scheduled for chip-and-seal paving, 363 and 383, would cost so much to do this year that it would be wiser to wait until next spring.

Bechtold said after the meeting that the chip-and-seal contractor will be paid based on work already done. "Basically they're going to get about what we've already paid them, about $620,000," he said. Bechtold said he is reviewing project bills for accuracy.

Bechtold reported the county has 6.6 miles of road graded and ready for paving next year, with an additional 4.2 miles scheduled for grading. He said the road and bridge advisory board expected 20 to 30 miles of road to be paved next year, not 10.

"If we as a commission said we're going to do as many roads as we can, then it comes down to, do we bond it?" said 2nd District Commissioner Jay Purcell. "It comes down to the commission setting a policy."

First District commissioner Larry Bock said bonds would create a financial setback over the long term and expressed his support for a "pay as you go" plan.

Grading has started on County Road 435; new concrete was poured Wednesday on County Road 379, replacing a slab that was washed out by flooding.

Jones asked about progress on County Road 532 renovations.

Bechtold said the U.S. Army National Guard unit that helped the county relocate the road will return this month to work on creek bank stabilization. County workers have stockpiled riprap at the site and will bring more when the soldiers arrive.

The commissioners also:

• Authorized Juvenile Division to spend $2,281.41 on a Traulsen-brand freezer for the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Set a public hearing on tax rates for 10 a.m. Sept. 15 at the county administration building, 1 Barton Square, Jackson.
• Agreed to review the text of a food safety training ordinance before setting a public hearing.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127