Inside and out, work on pavilion continues

    From laying outdoor walkways to interior decorating, several projects are underway as part of the ongoing effort to develop the Bank of Colorado Pavilion.
    Phillips County Board of Commissioners — which in August gave the project the cheeky motto “It ain’t done yet!” — discussed several ongoing projects at the pavilion during its April 30 meeting.
    A $25,500 bid from Edwards Concrete was accepted this month to build a sidewalk that will connect the pavilion with the Phillips County Event Center. The company also plans to repair two sections of the walking/biking path and lay concrete around the grease pit, main entrance, overhead doors and culvert intakes.
    Maverick Construction will be adding a jack shaft operator to the west overhead door for $2,100. Commissioners said installing an electrical system is estimated to cost $300-$400.
    Two 50-amp outlets will also be installed on the northeast pillar by Fetzer Electric for $2,073.50.
    Commissioners met with Todd Jelle of TJ D-Signs and Brian Gales of Bank of Colorado in April to talk signage. The County will pay half of the cost of the outside signs, not to exceed $2,750, and agreed to cover the $800 charge for hanging indoor banners.
    Jelle is also preparing a design for a memorial to former county administrator Randy Schafer that will be placed at the entrance to the fairgrounds.
    A leather brand wall featuring the names of project donors is planned for the inside of the pavilion, and Denise Smith met with the board to present a bid of $65 per 10-inch-by-10-inch section of etched and framed leather.
    
Job description for county administrator finalized
    Commissioners also announced that they have settled on a job description for the now-vacant position of county administrator.
    The 13-point description is available on the County website, in addition to the other duties that go along with the role and a list of the boards that the administrator will be required to serve on.
    In April, commissioners also met with members of the Region One Translator Association Board and Ed Lake of RF Systems LLC to talk about filling Schafer’s spot on the board. Interim administrator/planner Laura Schroetlin was chosen to take over check writing and fund deposits until a permanent replacement is chosen.
    
Other business
    In other April business, commissioners:
    — Approved a bid from Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.C., of Lincoln, Nebraska, to perform a housing assessment for the county. The company agreed to perform the assessment within six months for no more than $18,000. An Energy Impact grant will cover half of the cost, and other donations will cover the remainder.
    — Created a new IT position in the Road and Bridge Department, which was filled by Tevis Green.
    — Approved subdivision exemptions for the sale of 15 acres in the SE 1/4 of Section 30-8-47 from 385 Washout LLC to a buyer yet to be determined; 26 acres in the NW 1/4 of Section 9-6-43 from Ronald and Roxanne Miles to Kroskob Brothers; 21 acres in the SE 1/4 of Section 30-8-47 from Wayne Crowell to Dewayne Pace; approximately one acre in the NW 1/4 of Section 28-8-47 from David and Susan Salyards to Trever and Roxanne Fix; and approximately five acres in the NE 1/4 of Section 14-8-45 from William Leroy and Sharon Michael to John and Beth Zilla.
    — Accepted a lease/purchase proposal from First Pioneer National Bank for three 2019 John Deere 672 motor graders. The agreement is a three-year term with a fixed rate of 2.94%. Other proposals were received from Points West Community Bank, Bank of Colorado and Bank of the West.
    — Appointed Teonna McCabe to the Fair Board.
    — Heard an update on the Phillips County Office of Emergency Management from emergency manager Bob Heldenbrand. The board later authorized Heldenbrand to sign a memorandum of agreement with Northeastern Junior College for mass sheltering facility use.
    — Renewed the county’s annual license with the Melissa Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service.
    — Accepted a $1,600 offer from Brasby Construction to buy building materials at the fairgrounds that were left over from a demolished structure.
    — Contributed funds to the post-prom celebrations of Holyoke and Haxtun high schools.
    — Directed weed and pest manager Kerri Doleshall to purchase chemicals locally if priced within 10% of the lowest bid.
    — Approved a draft of the County’s personnel policy to be distributed among County departments.
    — Accepted Sherman Kage as temporary help in the Phillips County Assessor’s office.
    — Learned from landfill manager Bill Andrews that recent baler repairs cost $60,605, with the largest single cause of wear being glass.
    — Heard from Fair Board president Kayla Kafka. The board decided that 4-H groups will submit bids for use of the Bank of Colorado Pavilion kitchen during the fair, with one proposal to be chosen as the winner.
    — Met with Joe Bellm to discuss the Phillips County Raceway’s 2019 season.
    — Accepted a $6,609.52 bid from 21st Century for an 8-foot 2019 John Deere MX8 lift-type cutter. With the trade-in of the 2010 Bush Hog mower, the cost is offset by $650.
    — Conditionally approved a roadway occupancy agreement with Krueger Enterprises for burial of a water line from Section 30-8-43 to Section 19-8-43 across County Road 30.  The agreement will get final approval once the road manager signs off on the work done.