(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN … Williams County Administrator Vond Hall discusses the steps to move forward on the design process for the North Annex building.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
During a meeting on Tuesday, December 3rd, Williams County Administrator Vond Hall announced that he had issued requests for qualifications for local firms to design the North Annex building.
The Williams County Commissioners decided to begin negotiations for an architectural firm to create the designs.
Qualifications from three area firms were received and Hall recommended the commissioners use Garmann Miller. He also noted that the firms were told that the design project is expected to start in January.
The bidding process for this project is different from the typical bidding procedure. The next step in the negotiation will focus on pricing for services.
If both parties—the firm and the county—cannot agree on a price, the county will then consider the firm that received the second-highest score in qualifications.
Once a price cannot be agreed upon and the firm is out of the project, the firm cannot be reconsidered for that project.
Hall stated that this process is outlined in the Ohio Revised Code and he consulted with Williams County Prosecutor Katherine Zartman before moving forward.
Commissioner Rummel stated that dollar and cent figures mean nothing for a project like this; it’s about past experiences, resumes, and other jobs the firm has completed.
Commissioner Bert Westfall inquired about changes to the contract related to the Bryan Christkindl Market. This year, the proposed changes involve the use of fire pits instead of the patio heaters that were used in the past.
The fire pits feature a glass shield surrounding them, making them more stable and less likely to be knocked over compared to the patio heaters. Bryan Fire Chief Doug Pool has approved the use of these fire pits.
Westfall also mentioned that he spoke with the insurance company, which confirmed that the county would be covered in the event of an incident. It was decided that no changes to the contract would be necessary, given the existing insurance coverage.
The commissioners also approved an agreement between Williams County Department of Job and Family Services and Todd B Guelde – Guelde Law, LLC for Title IV-D attorney services for the Child Support Enforcement Agency. Maximum Amount Payable under this contract is $8,400.00; 2072-45-301-506001; Term: December 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, an LPA Federal/State Exchange Project Agreement between the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation and the Board of Williams County Commissioners acting by and through the Williams County Engineer for funding to rehabilitate the existing bridge over the West branch of the Saint Joseph River located on CR 16; funding amount listed in the Agreement, and re-appointed Dawn Fitzcharles and Tyson Stuckey to the Williams County Port Authority with terms running through Dec. 31, 2028.
With nothing further, the meeting was adjourned with it being noted that the next meeting will be Tuesday, December 10th.