Wayne White | Managing Editor

County commissioners found renovations at the Osage County Courthouse to be much more completed Monday than reported by county officers three weeks ago. Commissioners-elect Kenneth Kuykendall and Mike Pruitt joined commissioners Carl Meyer, Larry Woodson and William Prescott during a walk-through inspection of the $1.1 million project. The project has replaced the courthouse’s heating system and window air conditioning units, and installed interior storm windows, lighting efficiency upgrades and water-saving low-flow faucets and fixtures.

Last month, several county officers complained that although the heating system had been operating, it was not keeping offices warm. Workmanship on the project was also questioned, with officers noting holes in walls and ceilings, damaged office furniture and soiled and burnt carpets, and gaps around newly installed ductwork.

During the inspection led by Nathan Whitney, project manager for Trane Commercial Systems, commissioners found most of the officers’ concerns had been alleviated.

Osage County Attorney Brandon Jones had complained of heat not reaching his office, but reported during the inspection the office was now comfortable, although a space heater continued to be operated.

Whitney said use of space heaters in offices would affect temperature sensors, causing the new heating system to operate less than its full capacity. He advised commissioners that county officers should “provide enforcement” on use of personal space heaters, which could affect the overall energy efficiency of the renovation project.

Whitney said sensors throughout the building are designed to average temperatures in offices to determine when the heating or cooling should operate. He said temperatures might vary, but all spaces should remain at comfortable working temperatures.

“If it’s 60, that’s not acceptable, but if it’s 70 and [employees are] still not warm, that’s OK,” he said.

Another concern by officers had been the temperature of the first-floor women’s restroom, described by county cartographer Becky Bartley as “the coldest place in this whole building.”

Whitney said another method of heating the restroom would be utilized.

“In the ladies’ restroom, we should have included electric baseboard heating from the get-go,” he said.

Another cold spot, in the back of the land use office, would require further investigation, Whitney said. “For some strange reason, it’s cold. We’ll have to figure out what to do there,” he said.

Meyer questioned why some officers have reported cool air coming from the heater ducts.

Whitney explained that part of the function of the climate control system is to infuse fresh air into the building, resulting in cool air sometimes blowing in. The result should be a comfortable temperature, though, he said.

Jones also reported another of his concerns had been corrected. Initially, interior storm windows in his office had been installed without allowing clearance for custom-made wooden blinds. Workers had since reinstalled the windows to allow clearance. Whitney said other storm windows throughout the courthouse had been examined to ensure clearance for blinds.

Jones also said the contractor had agreed to replace carpeting in his office that had been burnt by welders.

While some defects in walls and ceilings remained and several storm windows had not been installed, commissioners found that much progress had been made since review of the punch list last month.

Before the tour, Whitney said he expected the project to be completed within the next three weeks.

“Ninety-five percent of the work has been completed and we’re finishing up about five percent of the job,” Whitney said.

Dust and dirt collected in offices and on computers was another complaint by officers last month.

Cleaning would be included in the project, Whitney said.

“We’ll need about two weeks to complete patching and painting, and about a week of cleaning,” he said.

Once the project is completed, another walk-through inspection will be conducted. Whitney said any other concerns should be documented and communicated to him.

A final step in the project will be “owner’s training,” Whitney said. Commissioners are to select which personnel should be trained to operate the new system.

In other business, the commission:

• conferred with newly-elected Junction Township trustee Chuck Troutman and treasurer Janet Troutman. The Troutmans will take office Jan. 12 and were seeking advice from commissioners and county road supervisor Glen Tyson on road maintenance.

• approved a letter to the chairman of the Northeast Kansas Homeland Security Council, requesting appointment of county emergency preparedness director Bryce Romine as Osage County’s representative to the council.

• considered a complaint by a county resident about quarry haulers driving on county roads. Commissioners determined haulers were authorized to haul rock to locations within the county via the most direct route to the dumping site.

• noted the annual reorganization meeting will be held Monday, with swearing in of elected officials at 8:15 a.m. in the courtroom.