Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake County updates on jail build, public safety center and $6 million utilities plan
Summary
County staff updated commissioners on the Lake County Public Safety Center contract amendment with HOK, the jail construction schedule and procurement for long-lead items, and an upcoming $6 million utilities capital improvement bid program.
County staff provided updates on several major capital projects, telling the Lake County Board of Commissioners that design and procurement steps are under way for the Public Safety Center, the county jail footprint is progressing, and the utilities department plans about $6 million in water and wastewater capital work for 2025.
The board authorized Amendment No. 2 to the design professional agreement with HOK to keep the firm involved during the construction phase of the Lake County Public Safety Center. Jason (county staff) described the amendment as a continuation of HOK’s original scope — the firm served as the criteria architect and completed programming and design work earlier in the project — and said the construction-phase services were anticipated in the original budget. "HOK was the criteria architect that we selected a couple years ago... this contract will allow HOK to stay on board and work with the design build team on the construction phase of the project," Jason said.
County Administrator and staff also updated the board on the new jail construction. The administrator reported that two long-lead items — the jail cells and generators — have been addressed: cells have been preordered from a vendor in Georgia and generator procurement was handled earlier. The administrator said Gilbane, the design-build team partner, introduced a procurement lead who will begin buyout for materials and equipment. The county expects the project to remain on the schedule presented to the board, with construction continuing and a target completion in spring 2027 and a projected opening in summer 2027.
Utilities staff told commissioners they will present resolutions in coming weeks to advertise for bids under the 2025 capital improvement plan, and that the department is planning to invest about $6,000,000 in water and wastewater projects this year.
Staff discussed materials and cost control: the administrator said masonry and brick pricing came in better than expected after value engineering, allowing the team to retain the original design intent for the jail facade. The sheriff's team participated in material selection and detailed procurement planning, according to staff remarks.
The board approved the HOK amendment by roll call vote during the meeting. The recorder's office media-conversion contract with Fidlar Technologies was also approved during the same meeting; Recorder's Office staff thanked the board and noted the project cost will be reimbursed by the state.
Commissioners were reminded that the next regular meeting is scheduled for March 6 and that a workshop would follow the current meeting.
No public comment on these projects was recorded in the meeting transcript.
