Windows replacement set to begin on Floyd County courthouse

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

There may be visible signs of progress in the Floyd County courthouse update project by next week, now that the new law enforcement center construction is almost complete.

During the usual weekly report on the LEC and courthouse update project at the Board of Supervisors regular meeting Monday morning, project superintendent Brian Shindelar said courthouse window replacement is set to begin next Monday.

All of the windows in the courthouse will be replaced with energy efficient windows that are reminiscent of those that were originally installed when the courthouse was built in 1941.

The biggest visible change will be the removal of more than 50 individual window air conditioners currently sticking out of panels in a majority of the courthouse windows. The courthouse will be tied into the new heating and air-conditioning system that is part of the law enforcement center, for the first time bringing central air-conditioning to the courthouse.

Many of the windows contain asbestos in the caulking and/or glazing, and that material will need to be removed by an asbestos abatement company within an enclosed space around the window while the window is being removed, then it can be replaced.

Much of the work currently going on involves finishing the atrium that joins the courthouse and the new law enforcement center, and that will provide a public elevator and a restricted law enforcement elevator as well as handicapped-accessible restrooms to serve each floor of the courthouse.

Ductwork for the heating and air conditioning has begun, Shindelar said, and some of the fire suppression sprinkler installation has begun.

He said the jail detainees had not been moved from the old county jail at the top floor of the courthouse to the new county jail in the LEC as of Monday morning, but the Sheriff’s Office was getting ready to move the office and office furniture.

Supervisor Linda Tjaden said she had been talking with Sheriff Jeff Crooks, and “It’s coming,” referring to the detainee transfer.

Also at the board meeting Monday, the supervisors:

• Heard an annual report and annual funding request from Amy Staudt, Floyd County Fair Board president. She said that because of the tornado that struck the fairgrounds in May 2019 and with COVID-19 in 2020, last year was the first year the fair was really back in order, and it saw its highest attendance ever.

A highlight this year will be the opening of the new community center and food stand, Staudt said.

For funding from the county, Staudt asked for a $5,000 increase from last year’s $22,000, to a total of $27,000. Those figures also include $12,000 each year from the county to the fairgrounds for rental of space for the county rural solid waste dropoff site.

One of the planned projects is finishing the replacement of the fairgrounds-wide speaker system that was destroyed by the tornado, Staudt said.

County Auditor Gloria Carr said that since the speaker system could be used as an emergency warning system it likely could be paid for with some of the $3.1 million American Rescue Plan Act funding the county is eligible for.

Other fairgrounds projects on the “to-do” list are sidewalks between all the buildings and additional parking, including handicapped parking, Staudt said.

• Acknowledged receipt of advice from Ahlers Cooney, the county’s employee/human resources attorney firm, regarding whether the county needs to enact a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for its employees.

The firm referred to the Iowa Division of Labor’s announcement that it will not enforce the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirement regarding vaccinations, and said, “The ramifications of Iowa’s decision and the potential effects on our state plan status are not yet known.”

The message from the firm said, “It is possible federal OSHA could still step in and enforce the ETS (emergency temporary standard) in Iowa if it is upheld by the Supreme Court or take other revocation action regarding Iowa’s state OSHA plan. However, Iowa OSHA will not be taking any action against employers who choose not to implement the federal ETS at this time.

“We will continue to monitor any actions by the U.S. Supreme Court on the OSHA ETS and will issue any additional updates as warranted,” it said.

• Discussed the annual funding request from the Nora Springs Volunteer Ambulance Service. Service Director Dave Luett said a total of $6,500 was being requested, with half of that from the county and the rest divided among the cities and townships the service covers.

Carr said 28E agreements outlying specific services to be provided may be required between the ambulance service and the county, as well as between the service and each other town and township, because of an emphasis by the Iowa Auditor’s Office that public bodies cannot “donate” funds to private groups. A formal agreement is required outlining what services are being provided in return for the funding.

But the funding request for the ambulance service is to begin raising money to buy a new portable cardiac monitor and automated external defibrillator (AED) that will cost $20,000 to $30,000, and Carr said that is also something that possibly could be paid for with American Rescue Plan funds.

The county is just beginning to put processes in place for organizations and communities to request ARP funds for specific health and safety uses.

• Approved appointing Doug Johnson to the Floyd County Conservation Board until June 30, 2023, to complete the term of Dick Uetz.