A proposal to seek bids to replace the parking lot at the Barry County Courthouse at a cost of $100,000 was approved by Barry County Commissioners Tuesday.  Replacement of the more than 20-year-old lot is in the 2019 capital improvement budget, Building and Grounds Director Tim Neeb said.

 

The drawings  include extending the lot eight feet to the east, increasing parking spaces from 28 to 31, a new sidewalk along the north edge of the lot for foot traffic and replacing the shrubs next to the mechanical equipment with a decorative fence.

 

The new design calls for removing the middle of three entrances, leaving an in-and-out drive, the sidewalk on the south of the lot to be replaced and the green space graded for better drainage.  Neeb plans to take bids on crack seal for other county parking lots, which will depend on the funding not used for the parking lot.

 

However, discussion had just started when it expanded into other areas not part of the parking lot project; the canopy over the south entrance, the steps and the entrance, security and future improvement plans.

 

County Administrator Michael Brown was asked to get information from the design plans and cost estimates for the south exterior of the courthouse in the county’s Master Facilities Plan.

 

“Well, it would be good to see both drawings, Commissioner David Jackson said. “I’m in favor of the project, but I think if we’re going to do it, we might as well consider all the options…just get it right the first time, so if we have to delay a little to move forward …When were you thinking about implementation of the project?”

 

“Certainly this summer,” Neeb said, but if needed, they could do some patching and a delay wouldn’t be a problem. Commissioners will continue the discussion at the regular board meeting next week,

 

Also Tuesday, a recommendation that Nelly Shephard serve a three-year-term on the Commission on Aging Board was to be considered, but action on Shepard will wait until May 28 when two others, who were already recommended, will be also be considered.

The committee of the whole on April 16 recommended appointing Gerald Schmiedicke and Catherine Gramze to two of three open seats.

 

On April 23, the commissioners postponed a decision for six weeks on filling the vacant positions. Commissioner Ben Geiger proposed the delay, saying he hoped to attract more applicants by re-advertising the positions. Shephard was to be interviewed on  April 16,, but was delayed until May 7 because of a death in the family.