During its annual budget meeting on Oct. 31/Nov. 1, the County Board rejected a proposal contained in County Administrator Jay Shambeau's budget to replace the existing facility due to structural, ventilation and disabled access issues.

The board, instead, approved spending $2.7 million to fix the problems.

At the Dec. 20 County Board meeting, Supv. Pat Laughrin asked Shambeau for an update on the remodeling project.

"What's happening?" Laughrin said.

Shambeau said a Nov. 17 joint meeting of the Public Grounds and Property and Highway committees drew no consensus among committee members on what direction the county should take in addressing issues at the garage.

Shambeau told The Times-Journal on Dec. 22 that inspectors from the state Department of Safety and Professional Services will examine the building before any remodeling plans are drawn up for the building.

Shambeau said the inspectors will include Susen Trail, a hygienist who will check air quality and general safety conditions for employees; Jane Drager, a commercial inspector who will look at building code issues and compliance; and an unidentified inspector from the state Division of Safety and Health.

"They will all be providing an on-site safety and health consultation program," Shambeau said. "Jane Drager has been here once and will come again in February. There are no dates set for the others to visit."

Laughrin said he wants regular reports on the status of the remodeling project.
Supv. Kenneth Draheim, who sits on both committees, said there is simply nothing to report at this time pending the state inspections.

"We are waiting to see what we really need to do," Draheim said. "All the studies have said what we need to do and we are in the process of getting that confirmed right now."

Draheim said once the state issues inspection reports the information will be discussed in a joint meeting of the Public Grounds and Property and Highway committees.

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