CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners on Tuesday awarded bids for the completion of the infirmary addition at the Clearfield County Jail.
In October, the commissioners accepted a proposal from Vanguard for construction and installation of a pre-fabricated, modular infirmary unit with three isolation rooms at a cost of $197,792.
In November, the county received three bids for installation of electric, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, heavy doors, etc., with the lowest being $414,621. All bids were rejected due to inflated costs; the project was rebid.
Earlier this month, the commissioners opened four bids for general construction; three bids for plumbing; two bids for electric and one bid for fire protection. Each bid package consisted of two base bids.
The first base bid was for a fully-enclosed walkway that would link the infirmary unit to the existing jail. The second base bid was for a less-costly, partially-enclosed option that would still be handicap-accessible, and also have a rain roof.
On Tuesday Glass said he – like his fellow commissioners – had concerns over project costs, and has “trouble with [paying] over $100,000 for a hallway” for inmates to travel a short distance between the addition and existing jail.
Both Commissioners John A. Sobel, board chairman, and Tony Scotto agreed, and so they voted, 3-0, to accept the second base bid that excluded the fully-enclosed hallway.
The commissioners subsequently accepted the following low bids: general construction, Caliber Contracting Services, Pittsburgh, $155,200; plumbing, Fred L. Burns Inc., Shippenville, $27,500; electric, Westmoreland Electric Services, Tarrs, $57,500; and fire protection, Greenland Construction, Clearfield, $81,000, for a total cost of $321,200.
Once constructed, the infirmary unit will house any inmate who is infected with either the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) or other communicable disease(s). It will be a negative-pressure unit so that its air flow will be separate from the rest of the facility.
In late 2020, the commissioners used leftover CARES funds to cover eligible salaries, which in turn freed up funds in the county’s general fund budget for the infirmary project.
In other business, the commissioners:
- approved a memorandum of understanding with the DuBois Housing Authority. Solicitor Heather Bozovich reported that Children, Youth & Family Services will assist the housing authority by identifying individuals – particularly younger, ages 18-24 years, who may be in need of housing or are at risk of becoming homeless.
- approved a delegation agreement as part of the reestablishment of the Clearfield County Redevelopment Authority. It will set forth the parameters with which the county the CCRA will handle their relationship, such as for payments, administration of grants, an employee-share agreement, etc.
- approved an addendum to the agreement with Dr. Phuong Wirths to extend physician services at the Clearfield County Jail for three years.
- announced an industry representative (non-solid waste/recycling) is needed for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) that will begin the process to update the county’s solid waste plan. Any interested persons should submit a letter of interest to the commissioners or Solid Waste Authority Director Jodi Brennan.
- approved an addendum to the current lease agreement for the magisterial district judge’s office in DuBois.
- approved a textile products rental agreement with Paris Uniform Services.
- approved purchase of service agreements with Jefferson County and Merakey Pennsylvania.
- approved the transfer of Scott Mignot, deputy director operations and training/Emergency Management Agency, to director of EMA, effective March 15.
- approved one new hire, one employee separation/retirement and one other employee transfer.
- approved the minutes of the March 9 meeting as presented by the chief clerk.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.