County facility director details jail repairs, HVAC costs and courthouse security review

Dodge County facility staff told the building committee about recent maintenance work at county buildings, upcoming repairs with estimated costs, and a courthouse security review by the U.S. Capitol Police.

Phil and Ed reported that annual pod cleaning at the jail is complete and that staff found reduced graffiti but identified paint bubbling in some cells that will require chipping or sanding and repainting this summer. Phil said the jail’s smaller commercial washing machine failed; an initial estimate to repair it was $6,000–$8,000, and staff will also obtain a replacement quote, noting all three commercial washers and dryers are original equipment about 25 years old.

Ed said the kitchen garbage-disposal replacement cost was about $3,600 and that he would seek jail-improvement funds to cover that. He also described a recent HVAC issue in the administration building: an HVAC controller may need a rebuild or replacement, and a new controller would cost about $15,000 if a rebuild is not possible.

HVAC and rooftop work

Ed reported that SureFire installed a new air-conditioning unit at the sheriff’s office; on inspection the contractor advised against reusing the old Freon, and replacing refrigerant would cost roughly $3,200. One of two piping circuits has a leak; SureFire plans to isolate and test halves of the circuit to find the leak, and Ed estimated an additional $4,500–$5,000 could be needed to address the issue. SureFire will start installing a new rooftop unit at the jail next week; staff expect installation to complete in about two weeks.

Cemetery settlement, lease and inspections

Ed said he signed a settlement agreement with the county’s insurance company for fall damage to a cemetery on the north end of town. He also reported the county’s lease agreement for Downtown Juneau had been sent back to the city for signature after requested contract changes. A spring ice-inspection of county facilities found no maintenance-related violations.

Courthouse security review

Ed, the…