Commissioners vote to complete prison annex
The Fayette County commissioners Tuesday voted to move forward with completing the new minimum-security prison annex by placing several change orders and contracts on Thursday’s agenda. The barracks-style annex, which includes space for 60 to 80 inmates, is slated to opening by July 1. Since the project was approved, the cost has increased from $600,000 to $800,000 and the projected opening has been pushed back several times. The non-smoking facility will be for low-risk offenders serving short sentences. The metal building has been constructed near the Fayette County Prison.
Among the items the commissioners will be voting on Thursday are contracts for a video system and a telephone system for the new facility. Deputy Warden John Walton said three bids were received for each of the projects. MEI Systems placed the low bid of $36,000 for the video system and E Comm placed the low bid of $18,900 for the telephone system.
What was listed as a $2,654 change order for Mucci Construction for a chain link fence was determined to be a credit. However, a change order is pending for the fence.
The commissioners voted on two change orders for Spartan Construction Co. Inc. in the amount of $6,980 and $880. A representative of architect Michael S. Molnar Associates said the change orders are to meet specifications for a minimum-security prison and for security issues.
Commission chairman Vincent A. Vicites, who has repeatedly voiced his distaste for change orders, voted in favor of the change orders, along with the other two commissioners.
“We have to get this project done. We are spending more money not getting it done than on change orders,” he said.
The county currently pays other prisons to house prisoners due to a lack of space. With 40 prisoners outside the county, it costs $48,000 per month.
The commissioners also voted to place on Thursday’s agenda a motion to award a contract to Nutrition Inc. to become the food service provider for the Fayette County Prison. The company submitted a bid that will cost $1.289 for each meal for 200 prisoners. The sliding scale decreases in cost per meal for additional inmates, up to 300 inmates.
The commissioners discussed a proposal that was received for placing a sheltered care facility inside the Federal Building for 12 juveniles. Commissioner Ron Nehls said Adelphi USA of Latrobe submitted the only proposal, although eight representatives visited the site. He said the company agreed to contribute $100,000 for renovation of the second floor and pledged to raise an additional $100,000. He said they will pay $25,300 for 3,600-square-feet of space and will pay for the utilities.
Nehls said when renovating the building was discussed, the $600,000 estimate did not include the second floor. One other tenant, the post office will pay $38,300 for 13,500-square-feet.
Nehls said with the two renters, the county will be right on target to recoup the money. Jerry Andria of Juvenile Probation said Adelphi runs three of four sites in the county now. He said they are a private non-profit entity and should be able to raise the money for the renovations.
When Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh raised concerns about the company coming in and leaving after a year, Nehls said they talked about a 10-year lease. Warren Hughes said the renting will cover the costs for renovations. Vicites said he thinks it’s a “win, win, win.” The commissioners voted to move forward with the proposal from Adelphi by placing it on Thursday’s agenda.
The commissioners discussed using a portion of the county’s allocation of the Washington County Bond Pool for the renovations. Vicites suggested that additional sources be examined.
Cavanagh announced that a carnival will be held at Laurel Highlands High School June 17-19 to help fund expenses for 4-year-old Colby Cole, who underwent a bone marrow transplant operation for a rare disease.