041795Commissioners Minutes - April 17, 1995
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on April
17, 1995, Commissioners Meeting Room, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners
Kemp, Frye, Comer, Davis, and Holmes were present. Commissioners Davis and Holmes entered
the meeting where so noted. The purpose of this meeting was to consider bids for the Randolph
County Detention Center.
Dudley Lacy of O'Brien/Atkins, the County's architectural firm for this project, stated that
during design development last fall it became apparent that construction prices were rising. He said
they received bids on the construction of the new jail January 26, 1995, and the bids were
approximately $2,000,000 over budget. Since January his firm and representatives from the County
have negotiated with the pre -qualified low bidders and have been able to lower the bid amounts by
$400,000. Mr. Lacy said he is convinced that there is no way to cut any more cost from the project
without jeopardizing the safety or security of the building or cutting the number of beds. He
reviewed options:
1. reject all bids and rebid --this is not recommended because prices have increased since the
project was bid the first time.
2. redesign the facility --this is not recommended because if it is made smaller, we will have the
space problems we have now.
3. reject all bids and put the project on hold indefinitely --this is not recommended because the
new facility is needed now, and it will be several
years before the construction environment improves.
4. award the negotiated contracts with the new total cost at $8,695,000 --this is the option
recommended.
Mr. Lacy noted that the new jail as designed is a basic, no-frills facility with concrete blocks and
cement floors which meets but does not exceed the state minimum requirements. Its core will
accommodate up to 302 beds.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Commissioners Holmes and Davis
entered the meeting at this point and were present for the remainder of the meeting.
Mr. Lacy stated that this project can be completed on time and on budget. He estimated the
project will take eighteen months to complete. The budget consists of construction contract
($7,771,174); 3% construction contingency ($220,862); furnishings ($72,664); and fees and testing
inspection costs ($630,300).
Frank Willis, County Manager, said that the additional $1,695,000 for the project will come
out of the General Fund's fund balance.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Davis, the Board unanimously voted to award the following
contracts for the construction and equipping of the Randolph County Detention Center: J.H. Allen,
Inc., general construction, $5,456,734; Cullum Mechanical Construction, plumbing construction,
$674,300; Cooper Oil Co., Inc., HVAC construction, $957,709; and Vick Brothers Electric Co.,
Inc., electrical construction, $682,431 (ATTACHED: January 26, 1995 bid tabulations)
On motion of Davis, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously approved the revised
project budget, which increases the construction and equipment budget from $6,369,700 to
$8,064,700 and, in turn, increases the total project budget from $7,000,000 to $8,695,000.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Comer, the Board unanimously adopted a resolution
(ATTACHED) reserving $3,695,000 from fund balance for jail construction.
On motion of Holmes, seconded by Frye, the Board unanimously approved Budget
Amendment #1 (ATTACHED) to the Randolph County Detention Center Capital Project
Ordinance, which transfers $1,695,000 from the General Fund for project construction.
Having no further business, the Board adjourned.